People frequently think “impala” when they see this accessory hood ornament, and that is understandable because, after all, it is a Chevrolet mascot:
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/20200814_142410-2.jpg?resize=525%2C316&ssl=1)
This hood ornament is actually a gazelle, however, and those are apparently two different things. This flying golden gazelle was part of a “sparkling line of high quality, genuine accessories, styled, engineered and manufactured especially for Chevrolet in General Motors plants” for the 1951 model passenger cars.
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/n_1951-Chevrolet-Full-Line-01-2.jpg?resize=525%2C377&ssl=1)
They are relatively rare now, and that scarcity is likely directly related to the popularity of the standard hood ornament for that year:
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/b_1951-Chevrolet-Full-Line-04-05-3.jpg?resize=525%2C224&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/20200814_153847-2.jpg?resize=525%2C599&ssl=1)
Neither of these hood ornaments are in mint condition to be sure, but if you are going to play with old cars, you better be able to handle some imperfections!
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/n_1951-Chevrolet-Full-Line-02-03-2.jpg?resize=525%2C226&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/americancarhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/20200814_142730-3-scaled.jpg?fit=525%2C364&ssl=1)
Sources:
“Accessories Keynote New Style.” The Bismarck Tribune, 8 December 1950, p. 11.
1951 Chevrolet Motors Sales Brochure, published by General Motors Corporation.