{"product_id":"vintage-1935-pontiac-lil-indian-bumper-guard-cast-metal","title":"Vintage 1935–1936 Pontiac \"Lil Indian\" Cast Metal Bumper Guard | Art Deco Automotive Collectible","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe piece is a small but genuine window into 1930s automotive styling and American advertising aesthetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eEra: 1935–1936\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eItem type: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/collections\/vintage-memorabilia\" title=\"Vintage Memorabilia \u0026amp; Rare Ephemera collection\"\u003eFront bumper guard \/ automotive mascot guard\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMaterials: Cast iron or automotive-grade cast metal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eColor: Original cream\/ivory paint with dark accents, now heavily oxidized and worn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSize \/ Measurements: 7.5\" H × 5\" W × 5\" D\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTexture \/ Finish: Matte; heavy patina, paint loss, surface oxidation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eStyle notes: Art Deco automotive, Depression-era industrial sculpture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWhat You're Getting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis is honest vintage—not polished, but structurally sound and absolutely authentic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eCondition Grade: Fair\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePositives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eFace detail remains crisp and legible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBoth mounting holes intact and functional\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eComplete, no missing pieces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eGenuine cast metal construction, not reproduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssues \/ Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHeavy paint loss; original finish has flaked away in large patches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eExtensive patina and oxidation on exposed metal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSurface pitting typical of age and outdoor weathering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMultiple areas of bare metal showing oxidation discoloration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSee all photos—sold as pictured.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Grade Key\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eNear Fine — minimal wear; clean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eVery Good — light wear; clean; minor flaws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eGood — noticeable wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eFair — heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollector's Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003ePontiac'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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis piece belongs in a vintage car collection, a 1930s design display, or the hands of someone who loves the tangible story of automotive history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIf 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e∙Photo-verified condition (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/shipping-policy\" title=\"shipping policy\"\u003eno surprises\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e∙Packed with our protective packaging standard\u003cbr\u003e∙Ships in 1 business day\u003cbr\u003e∙Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisclaimer\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/about-reading-vintage\" title=\"about reading vintage\"\u003eWhile I do my best\u003c\/a\u003e to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Orders $35+ Ship Free","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48596402864383,"sku":"a four – T 7 – 2816","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2503\/7976\/files\/vintage-1935-pontiac-lil-indian-bumper-guard-cast-metal.jpg?v=1779985835","url":"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/products\/vintage-1935-pontiac-lil-indian-bumper-guard-cast-metal","provider":"Reading Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}