A
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud at Qingdao, China
n automobile emblem is a detail, but it is
anything but mere. Think, for example, of Chrysler's wings,
which adorn the company's relatively modestly priced
cars. They convey an almost impossible combination of
dignity and speed: the good design of this logo convinces
me the automobile itself is well designed. Or take Audi's
four overlapping circles, insignia of self-assurance, the
number four standing for solid, foursquare construction
as well as the more obvious symbolism of four spinning
wheels.
But there is another class of emblem altogether: the
hood ornament or mascot, seen nowadays, for the
most part, on only the highest priced vehicles. Jaguar,
HYLAND