The Complete Handbook of Vehicle Emblems & Hood Ornaments

I can't say it's a thrilling read, but it's a much more complete reference than I expected. The section on how to tell an original Cadillac crest from a decent reproduction actually saved me from overpaying at swap meet, so it's earned its place on my shop shelf. I do wish it had more detailed photos and specific part number cross-references for the '50s and '60s era cars, as some of the examples felt a little broad. It's a solid starting point, but you'll still need brand-specific manuals for deep dives.

I restore Mopars for a living and honestly thought I knew most of this stuff. This book proved me wrong. The chapter on mounting systems alone is worth the price—I've had to fix the aftermath of people ripping off studs with the wrong removal tools, and this should be required reading for any apprentice. The business opportunity chapter also gave me a few ideas for expanding my services. I’ve already ordered three copies to keep in the shop and to lend out.

Good, solid information that's well organized. I found the maintenance section particularly helpful—I've always been nervous about polishing the chrome on my '57 Bel Air, and the steps for safe cleaning and waxing clarified a few things. It reads a bit like a technical manual at times, which is fine by me, but I would have liked a few more comparison charts on adhesive strengths for modern tape-mounted emblems. Still, I've tagged about twenty pages for future reference.

Finally, a book that treats hood ornaments and emblems with the seriousness they deserve. As someone who appraises classic cars, the chapter on how these details affect value is invaluable. The breakdown of materials—which plastics are original to which era, how to gauge the quality of a repro—gives me confidence when I'm weighing a car's numbers-matching status. The print quality is nice and the photos (where they have them) are clear. Highly recommend.

I'm a hobbyist who is just getting into restorations, and I bought this book for the basic stuff—like how to get a stuck emblem off without scratching the paint. The sections on adhesives and removal tools are exactly what I needed. The glossary in the back is great for deciphering forum acronyms and shop talk. My only wish is that the book covered more European classics, since I primarily work on old VWs; the book is heavily American-focused.

The info is solid, but I found the first few chapters a bit dry—basically a textbook lead-up before it gets to the how-to stuff. The best content is definitely the troubleshooting section and the brand profiles in Chapter 6. I was okay with the lengthy explanation of what makes an emblem an emblem, but I wish it had gotten to the point a little faster. Not bad, but not the page-turner I was hoping for.

As a classic car dealer, I need to spot poorly-made emblems before they end up on one of my cars. This book's guide to the details—weight, die-cast quality, and finish—has already helped me reject a batch of cheap overseas 'chrome' plastic trim that a supplier was trying to pass off as quality stock. It's a practical business resource, not just a coffee-table book. I keep it in my office, not on the display shelf.