Patent Design

1963 Corvette Stingray

This image is from a patent for the 1963 Corvette Stingray filed in May, 1962 by William L. Mitchell on behalf of General Motors Corporation. This is an ornamental design for the Stingray and simply covers the "look" of the vehicle.

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Patent

The original Wienermobile was introduced in 1936. In the '50s five Wienermobile designs were introduced, this being one of them. The patent was filed in 1952 and issued in 1954. Invented by Carl G. Mayer.

Chief Pontiac hood ornament

The ornamental patent design for the Chief Pontiac, Indian-head radiator ornament for a 6-cylinder 1936 Pontiac. 1935. "Invented" by Franklin Q. Hershey.

The Weddell automobile

An odd car design that looks like a rocket-propelled submarine on wheels. Invented by Donald G. Weddell. The patent was filed in 1953 and issued in 1954.

Selzer Truck Design

A truck with the face of a plump, baby bug. Invented by James R. Selzer. Filed in 1950 and issued 1951 for the International Harvester Company.

Spaceship Hood Ornament

This is a novelty design for an after-market hood ornament, invented by by Alexander S. Tremulis. Tremulis is known for designing the Tucker automobile and Star Trek's 'Enterprise' spaceship. The patent was filed and issued in 1951.

Packard Goddess of Speed

The design patent for The Packard Goddess of Speed automobile hood ornament. The ornament was designed and filed by John D. Wilson of Grosse Point, Michigan, in 1938 and assigned to the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit. The patent was issued in 1939.

Siren of the Highway

This seductive, ornamental design for a radiator-cap ornament was created by Emory P. Seidel for the Stover Signal Engineering Company of Racine, Wisconsin. The patent was applied for and issued in 1926.

Three-Wheeled Vehicle

This patent is for an ornamental design for a 3-wheeled vehicle. The patent was applied for in 1951 and issued in 1952.

Segrave Mystery Sunbeam racer

In 1927 Sir Henry Segrave became the first person to travel at more than 200 mph. Segrave took the Mystery Sunbeam shown here to Daytona Beach and reached a speed of 203.79 mph. The patent for this "design for an automobile body" was issued to Henry O. D. Segrave, of London, England on June 26, 1928.

Sir Henry Segrave Race Car

This patent "design for an automobile body" was created by Sir Henry Segrave, an English automobile and motorboat racer who set three world land speed records. The patent was issued to "Henry O. De H. SeGrave, a subject of the King of England, residing at Ship House, 20 Buckingham Gate, London, S. W. 1, England," on March 18, 1930.

The Blue Flame patent design

This ornamental patent design for The Blue Flame rocket powered car was issued to The Institute of Gas Technology of Chicago on April 17, 1973. In 1970 The Blue Flame set the world land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, reaching a speed of 630.388 mph. The record held for 27 years. The Blue Flame was built by Reaction Dynamics, but received technical assistance from The Institute of Gas Technology.

Mercury Radiator Ornament

A design patent for a Mercury-themed automobile radiator ornament. This appears to be an after-market accessory and was designed and filed by Frederick W. Ehrlich. The patent was issued in 1927.

Harley Earl La Salle Body

An automobile design by Harley J. Earl, who went on to design the original Corvette in 1953. This design patent for a La Salle was filed by Earl and assigned to the General Motors Corporation. The patent was issued in 1934.

Studebaker V-Eight Medallion

A design patent for a V-Eight automobile medallion. Designed and filed by John D. Cuccio, this patent was assigned to the Studebaker Corporation. The patent was issued in 1952.

Packard Hood Ornament Design

A design patent for a vehicle hood ornament. Designed and filed by Howard F. Yaeger and assigned to the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit. The patent was issued in 1935.

Pontiac Hood Ornament Design

A radiator ornament design for the Pontiac division of General Motors. Designed by Harry Shaw and Chris J. Klein. Issued in 1935.

Packard Swan Hood Ornament

A swan hood ornament design by Howard F. Yaeger that was assigned to the Packard Motor Car Company. The patent was issued in 1948.

Kaiser-Frazer Hood Ornament

A hood ornament design by Howard V. Lindbergh and Herbert F. Weissinger that was assigned to the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation. The patent was issued in 1950.

Jaffe Automobile Hood Ornament

A hood ornament design by Samuel R. Jaffe. The patent was issued in 1951.

Weissinger-Kindred Hood Ornament

A hood ornament design by Herbert F. Weissinger and William B. Kindred that was assigned to the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation. The patent was issued in 1951.

Olds Golden Rocket

Design patent for the Oldsmobile Golden Rocket. Plan 59 has a photo of the interior. 1956. Invented by Arthur Ross.

Wooden Station Wagon

Wood-bodied wagons would have been familiar in the 1920s. The body work was generally done by outside shops. 1926. Invented by Walter G. Saunders.

1930s Tanker

Delivering fuel with style. 1937 patent design. Invented by Howard W. Kizer.

Taxi Cab of the Future

A fantastic taxi cab design. The driver sits front and center and passengers enjoy views in all directions including up, through a glass roof. 1954. Invented by Lynn Brodton.

Taxi Design

Patend design for a taxi with an elevated driver cab. 1953. Invented by Dick H. Williams.

Taxi Design

A taxicab design for the Bauer Taxicab Manufacturing Turing Co., of Chicago. 1926. Invented by Perry S. Bauer.