The iconic ‘Prancing Horse’ of Ferrari, the simplicity of the BMW roundel and the timeless classic of the Aston Martin wings.
Logos may not be the first thing used car owners consider when buying a new motor, but to many enthusiasts, loyalty to a brand is just as alive today as it always was.
However, many of the world’s top brands have a backstory to their designs with many owners likely unaware of how the badges came into existence.
From taking inspiration at a Spanish bull ranch to a founder’s simple signature, every firm has its own mark that has been woven into motoring history.
Express.co.uk looks at the story behind five famous carmaker logos from BMW to Ford to Lamborghini.
Aston Martin
The wing was first featured as a concept for Aston Martin in 1926 but only formed the current pattern back in 1932. It is understood to represent speed and apparently took inspiration from Bentley’s ‘Winged B’ pattern.
There have been small updates to the badge over the years with the most recent iodate taking place in 2022.
Nearly 20 years after the previous tweak, the firm opted for a more streamlined wing pattern and new typeface for the Aston Martin name.
BMW
It may be one of the most iconic car logos in Europe, but what does the famous blue and white rounder actually represent?
Unbeknown to many, blue and white are actually the colours for the State of Bavaria which is the home of the iconic brand. Meanwhile, the black outside circle comes from the logo of BMW’s predecessor firm, Rapp.
A BMW advert from back in 1929 depicted the emblem and four colour quadrants in a spinning airplane propeller with many believing the badge is a reference to that.
However, this is a myth and is not strictly depicted in the pattern despite speculation.
Fred Jakobs, Archive Director for BMW Group Classic explained: “For a long time, BMW made little effort to correct the myth that the BMW badge is a propeller.”
Ferrari
The Italian manufacturer is one of the most recognisable in motoring with its famous ‘Prancing Horse’ badge standing the test of time.
The horse was a symbol of Italian Air Force pilot Count Francesco Baraccal who painted the design on every plane he flew.
He was shot down in 1918 after three victorious duels, making him a national hero in Italy.
Baracca’s mother told Ferrari to use the horse on his cars for good luck in the early 1920s and the badge has remained in place ever since.
Ford
The famous blue and white badge simply features the signature of founder Henry Ford and debuted back in 1909.
The badge was modernised in 2003 but remained largely unchanged from the original put together over 100 years ago.
The “Centennial Blue Oval” is still considered as one of the most successful car logos in the world due to its simplicity and stand out design.
Lamborghini
The famous golden bull on the black background is synonymous with Lamborghini supercars all over the world.
However, many may be unaware the design comes from founder Ferruccio Lamborghini’s visit to a fighting bull ranch in Seville, Spain.
His Taurus zodiac sign is also said to have influenced his choice to include the bull as the symbol of his new brand.
