[norton]

...a magnifier for the sun?

Nope!
The Malcom hood greatly improved pilot visibility, nice thing when people are trying to kill you. It was used to some extent on early Mustangs and maybe Thunderbolts as well before they figured out that changes to the fuselage and/or tail would allow for a blown "bubble top" canopy.
Curiously, early post war jets, (B47, F-84, etc.) were originally designed and flown with old style Green house type canopies.

[MaxMax]

I wonder how many kids these days would still say "cool" seeing that car.
I venture to say most. Maybe a trend will come around from the automakers.