Free spirit Emblem

I found this chrome mint condition Buick Free Spirit Happy the Hawk metal emblem in an antique shop near me in Iowa. It does not have a p/n on the back. Has anyone ever seen one or have any info on it? Thanks!...Lars

 

That's cool!



I only know about this version:



By the way:
Happy was a real hawk, according to this story told by Don Timmer on the AACA Forums.

Happy was a female Red Tail Hawk, She was also a bitch, hence the name.

In 1972 Dave Siddon, Steve Hoddy, Ken Ebert and myself had a raptor ( bird of prey) rehabilitation center in Canoga Park Ca..
Happy came to us from Bush Gardens in Van Nuys

She was very large (3lb. 5oz flying weight) and aggressive, so we trained and used her to hunt and help supply the dozens other birds
with the natural food they needed for good health.
In 1973 we moved the center to Merlin Or.(birders will smile at that).

I believe in the fall of 1974 Buick contacted Dave about Happy.

Buick had no real gas economy cars and the gas crisis of the early 70's was starting to hurt, their answer, the Skyhawk.
Happy at the time was moulting so that is why she only has 7 tail feathers (normal is 12) and some secondarys missing.

We did a mass amount of work for Buick as they were also putting together a film to show to investors to raise money to re tool for the smaller cars.
The funds from the Sky hawk job help fund what is now Wildlife Images in Merlin, now run by Dave's son David.
(I'm sure they could use donations)

Hope that clears up some things, Don.

 

Buick Free Spirit 8-Track:








Here's the full tracklist:

Tracklist
A1 Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra– Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
A2 Floyd Cramer– Will It Go Round In Circles
A3 The Harold Wheeler Consort– Corner Of The Sky
A4 Peter Nero– Help!

B1 The Hues Corporation– Rock The Boat
B2 Julie Budd– I Know Your Kind Of Lovin'
B3 Arthur Fiedler, The Boston Pops Orchestra– The Most Beautiful Girl
B4 The Friends Of Distinction– Grazin' In The Grass

C1 Floyd Cramer– Top Of The World
C2 The Harold Wheeler Consort– Then Came You
C3 Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass– Alabama Jubilee
C4 John Denver– Take Me Home, Country Roads

D1 Imperial Jazz Band– The Entertainer
D2 Living Strings– Song From "M.A.S.H."
D3 Charlie Rich– There Won't Be Anymore
D4 Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass– Rocky Top

 

That’s some neat history about Happy! I remember my first FM /8 track player I bought in ‘78! It was a Craig. Thank you very much for the info sir!!...Lars