Scottsdale – RDZ Photography

Scottsdale, Arizona – January 2023 – The Art of Hood Ornaments

In days past most cars had hood ornaments used primarily to communicate the brand. Most of the very early ones also served as radiator caps.

Our look at this art form on the hood start with a 1930s Cadillac. It was known as the Flying Goddess, and was available on Cadillacs up until the late 1950s.

Having failed to note what car this is on, this ‘coiled cobra’ hood ornament only shows up on a 1931 Isotta Fraschini using a Google Images search.

Another Goddess, this one is the Packard Goddess of Speed.

Another great Packard hood ornament. Supposedly patterned on the family crest, it has been called a pelican or sometimes a cormorant.

The 1930 Cadillac LaSalle ornament is leading the way.

The emblem below the ornament indicates this is a 1932 Cadillac LaSalle.

The Cadillac LaSalle series continues with this 1938.

A similar look to the Cadillac, this art deco style ornament is from a 1930s Packard.

The Quail from a 1930s Ford.

This Chevrolet of he same time period has this ornament known as the Confederate

As we move into the 1950s Oldsmobile the ornaments are much more streamlined.

Our final ornament is a swan from an unidentified car. Feel free to identify.

Scottsdale, Arizona – January 2023 – Barrett Jackson Auto Auction Part 3

Art, Transportation

Today’s posting looks as some of the more distinctive ‘noses and tails’ of the classic cars and trucks.

A late 1960s Pontiac GTO

Followed by the next generation GTO from the early 1970s. Personally I think it was a step backwards.

1946 Ford Pickup with a great color combination of cream and red.

The 1956 Ford Thunderbird tail end.

A 2009? Ford GT.

A late 1950s Cadillac.

1959 Ford Fairlane Skyliner.

A long lean mean custom 1962 Lincoln Continental.

We jump ahead a few decades to a 2016-2017ish Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Back to the 50s with this 1951 Nash Rambler.

A late 1950s Porsche 356 Speedster. Sometimes simple is best.

Our final nose is on a 1939 Cadillac Series 61.

Scottsdale, Arizona – January 2023 – Barrett Jackson Auto Auction Part 2

Festival, Transportation

The Barrett Jackson Auction is so large that many automotive vendors have exhibits, with entire massive tents set up for them.

A company called Radical Racing of Canada build reasonably priced (for race cars) ready to race cars.

A prototype Lincoln Star.

A group known as the Future Car Collectors had a show on the grounds as well, with some very cool cars in a great setting.

Let’s take a closer look at the purple Lamborghini Diablo. Not really sure why they call it a future car collector, as this has clearly been collectable for decades.

A BMW M4

Volvo wagons aren’t normally the type of car to be tricked out, but it works.

There were some great paint jobs.

Another in the category of ‘not normally tricked out’ – a Tesla.

After checking out the Future Car Collectors show I made my way to a row of very long tents, with even more cars headed to the auction.

A customized 1935 Chrysler Airflow.

A 1930 Chevrolet Paddy Wagon.

1966 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Custom Sedan.

Another customized classic – a 1957 Lincoln Continental Mark II. Note the size of the tent, 5 rows of cars that was about 300′ long, and there were 6 of these tents in addition to the huge completely indoor tents seen in Part 1 of the auction.

Scottsdale, Arizona – January 2023 – Barrett Jackson Auto Auction Part 1

Transportation

This is the first in a series of automotive postings from a fantastic day in the Phoenix area, starting with the legendary Barrett Jackson Auto Auction.

I went to preview day for the auction, so the facility was stuff with almost 2000 cars to be auctioned. In addition there was a complementary custom car show outside, as well as a collection of prototypes and other vehicles from the major manufacturers, and a collection of petroliana. Car junkie paradise.

We start with a 2021 Ferrari SF90.

2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

The famous wing of a 1970 Plymouth Superbird along with a great roadrunner neon sign.

1960 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible.

1959 Mercedes Benz 190 SL Roadster.

2005 Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren

1953 Chevrolet Corvette 235/150 Convertible.

1948 Chevrolet Custom Cab over Engine Pickup.

1968 Jaguar XKE 1.5 Roadster.

1953 Chevrolet Suburban Custom

1948 Chevrolet 5 Window Custom Pickup.

1935 Ford Deluxe Woody Wagon.

1940 Ford Custom Pickup

1965 Porsche 911.

Phoenix – March 2012 – Biltmore + Capital Grounds

Architecture, Art

With a few hours before my flight at the end of a road trip to California and Arizona, I swung by the Arizona Biltmore.

On the way to the airport I made a stop at the Arizona State Capital grounds.

Scottsdale, AZ – June 2005 – Taliesin West

Architecture, Art

Having been a Frank Lloyd Wright fan for many years we took the opportunity to visit Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona. What served as his winter home and a school from 1937 until 1959 when he died, Taliesin West continues to this day as an architecture school.

While it differs from what most think of a FLW design, it does pay tribute to the local native people, as well as celebrates the abundant sunshine that Arizona provides.