Hooniverse Asks: What's History's Greatest Automotive Mascot?

superbee
The purpose of a mascot is to serve as an ambassador or the embodiment of a brand, team or cause. Sometimes they are ill conceived—such as the Purdue Boilermakers’ creepy “Purdue Pete.” Other’s are less nightmare inducing and I would aver those like Smokey the Bear are in fact national icons.
When it comes to cars and trucks there have been a number of mascots that have come and gone. Some of those have been memorable, others forgettable. Some have grown to status similar to that of Smokey, and what we’re interested in today is your opinion as to which of those stands as the greatest of all time. What automotive mascot is the most iconic?
Image: Triadmopar

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54 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: What's History's Greatest Automotive Mascot?”

    1. Lokki Avatar
      Lokki

      The only car with a trunk on its hood!

      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        Occasionally, the elephant is under the hood.
        https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5677/20536068341_e0bf85b779_b.jpg

      1. theskig Avatar
  1. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Since Bib is already taken, I’ll say Linda Vaughn. No telling how many busted nuts she’s caused since she came on the scene in ’61.
    https://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/linda-vaughn-lug-nuts.jpg

    1. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      Boobendum.

      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        “The purpose of a mascot is to serve as an ambassador or the embodiment of a brand, team or cause.”
        Are you doubting Miss Golden Shifter’s role as both the ambassador, and especially the embodiment, of Hurst?
        Other than her lack of anonymity, how is she any different than a mascot who keeps human form but wears a Trojan costume or pretend Native American garb?
        https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/9e/1b/82/9e1b82d6463299953aa98704bcf7d054.jpg

        1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar

          A mascot is an invented entity, existing solely to be the embodiment of a brand or product. Speedy has no identity separate from Alka-Seltzer. Ernie the Elf has no life beyond Keebler commercials. Mister Whipple was a mascot, because there’s no real Mr. Whipple. That’s not the same as a celebrity endorsement or spokesperson. That creepy bee voiced by Antonio Banderas is a mascot; when Shaq stumps for Gold Bond or Beyonce dances for DirectTV, that’s not.

          1. 0A5599 Avatar
            0A5599

            I don’t know if you can cite a credible source that confirms a mascot must be an invented entity, but either way, Miss Golden Shifter is just as invented as that supercharger mascot, Mr. Whipple. In fact, Linda Vaughn wasn’t the first one in the role, just the most memorable. And she never had to re-compete for her title because it was made up just for Hurst.
            So change my answer from the person to her character, and it sounds like we’ll be on the same page.

          2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar

            I can buy that. Colonel Sanders WAS a person. His character is now a mascot.

    2. Lokki Avatar
      Lokki

      Those puppies make admirable mascots!

    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      1. Batshitbox Avatar
        Batshitbox

        Quack Truck?

          1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
            Wayne Moyer

            Oh I want this to be true.
            “This was a hit in the Soviet Union at the time, as it showed a working-class rebellion against a corrupt government.”

    2. Victor Avatar
      Victor

      My thought exactly.

    3. mzszsm Avatar
      mzszsm

      I like this one, but maybe I should move to MN first. http://e-group.uk.net/gallery/data/500/medium/pencoed1.jpg

  2. alex Avatar
    alex

    I would argue Sonic the Hedgehog who was Mascot to the Williams F1 team in the early to mid 90’s
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Williams_FW15C_rear_wing_Donington_Grand_Prix_Collection.jpg

    1. salguod Avatar

      What exactly is it sitting on?

    1. cap'n fast Avatar
      cap’n fast

      wow! I am amazed at how far down the listing we had to get before the RR showed up

    1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
      Wayne Moyer

      Oh I know that hand gesture. Marcus Gronholm makes it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqQhQSbe6fw

  3. Gee Nick Avatar
    Gee Nick

    Joe Isuzu

  4. Gee Nick Avatar
    Gee Nick

    Cal Worthington’s dog Spot

    1. mzszsm Avatar
      mzszsm

      Tuesday’s answer, the stylized gull https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-ZEmq2JsRn0/maxresdefault.jpg

  5. fede Avatar
    fede

    probably not the greatest, but too good not to post.
    https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2100/2464316539_100750bb68_b.jpg

    1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

      Came here to say this. Well done.

  6. bv911 Avatar
    bv911

    As a child of the seventies, I gotta go with this:
    http://www.firebirdgallery.com/Hood%20Birds/76_orange.jpg

    1. bv911 Avatar
      bv911

      Although some might prefer the ’79-and-later version:
      http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/CC-110-019.jpg

    2. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

      The tattoo on my upper arm agrees. Despite that I was born 3,500 miles East of New Jersey

    3. jim Avatar
      jim

      Even the owner’s manual was badass :

      View post on imgur.com

      View post on imgur.com

  7. Lokki Avatar
    Lokki

    Here is my candidate for most embarrassing mascot. If Cadillac’s luxury image wasn’t shot to Hell before this, this mascot certainly finished the job, put in the boot, buried it, and salted the earth.*

    *Note: The car itself didn’t do much for their reputation either.

  8. jim Avatar
    jim

    Since the prancing horse is just too obvious, i’m going with Cisitalia’s badass Prancing Ibex :

    View post on imgur.com

    1. jim Avatar
      jim

      And then there’s the even more obscure Prancing Cock ! Ehm…

      View post on imgur.com

      1. jim Avatar
        jim

        Raging Bull ? How about a prancing bull ?

        View post on imgur.com

  9. bv911 Avatar
    bv911

    How about that “other” Cavallino Rampante?
    https://digitaldtour.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/dsc_0409.jpg
    Oh wait, that’s right, it’s the same one!
    (Show of hands, how many of all y’all knew Enzo’s driver was from Stuttgart? I’m gonna guess more than a few…)

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      And oddly enough, possibly the same prancing black horse from the same origin on the same coat of arms as Ferrari. https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=136605

      1. bv911 Avatar
        bv911

        I’m guessing you didn’t hit the “see more” button…!

        1. Rover 1 Avatar
          Rover 1

          Duh! Mea Culpa.

  10. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    In the vein of the Superbee and Road Runner, June 1969 saw the debut of the Superroo on the Falcon GT in Australia.
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/faed0cd848b70dd21c4ac7f996c18da7367f9f1129c026bcbc12c3e4948654e7.jpg

  11. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    I’m not a big fan of Fiat, but I always loved the Abarth logo. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9f19a3a42e02c615cbfbb13df7b289fd5a88a05b7360bc95c31e7c392714f2b3.png