This is an authentic front bumper guard from a 1935–1936 Pontiac, featuring the iconic "Lil Indian" design—a cast-metal sculptural head with elaborate headdress, once a point of pride on GM's middle-market brand.
The piece is a small but genuine window into 1930s automotive styling and American advertising aesthetics.
Details
- Era: 1935–1936
- Item type: Front bumper guard / automotive mascot guard
- Materials: Cast iron or automotive-grade cast metal
- Color: Original cream/ivory paint with dark accents, now heavily oxidized and worn
- Size / Measurements: 7.5" H × 5" W × 5" D
- Texture / Finish: Matte; heavy patina, paint loss, surface oxidation
- Style notes: Art Deco automotive, Depression-era industrial sculpture
What You're Getting
A complete, original cast metal bumper guard with two mounting holes intact. The face detail is sharp and well-defined; the decorative headdress shows characteristic heavy paint loss and surface patina consistent with decades of storage or outdoor exposure.
This is honest vintage—not polished, but structurally sound and absolutely authentic.
Condition Grade: Fair
Positives
- Face detail remains crisp and legible
- Both mounting holes intact and functional
- Complete, no missing pieces
- Genuine cast metal construction, not reproduction
Issues / Wear
- Heavy paint loss; original finish has flaked away in large patches
- Extensive patina and oxidation on exposed metal
- Surface pitting typical of age and outdoor weathering
- Multiple areas of bare metal showing oxidation discoloration
See all photos—sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
- Near Fine — minimal wear; clean.
- Very Good — light wear; clean; minor flaws.
- Good — noticeable wear.
- Fair — heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.
Collector's Notes
Pontiac's "Lil Indian" motif ran from 1930 through the late 1950s, making early bumper guards like this one increasingly hard to find. Automotive mascots and car-part sculptures are enjoying a resurgence among collectors who appreciate Depression-era American industrial design and the quirky corporate symbolism of the era.
This piece belongs in a vintage car collection, a 1930s design display, or the hands of someone who loves the tangible story of automotive history.
If you restore classic cars or collect automotive Art Deco, this Pontiac guard is a genuine piece of the brand's heritage—one that tells the story of a car meant for everyday people with big dreams.
Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)
∙Photo-verified condition (no surprises)
∙Packed with our protective packaging standard
∙Ships in 1 business day
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Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Please Note:
These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.
