Just for fun, a Sunday morning pop quiz: which came first?
Answer: the jet, in this case the Vought F7U Cutlass, which entered operational service with the US Navy in July 1951 (the prototype first flew in September 1948). The Cutlass-like Chevrolet hood ornament first appeared on 1955 model year Chevrolets.
Based on everything I’ve read about the “gutless Cutlass,” though, I think the hood ornament probably would have flown better.