The original emblem represented a family name, belonging to Le Sieur Antoine De La Mothe Cadillac. The Cadillac emblem you see today is a modern rendition, yet its initial roots are still easily recognizable. The rings are now flat and black and white. Still, Audi occasionally has made reference to the connection, capitalizing on a bit of synchronicity.Īudi gave its logo a slight refresh for 2022. Rumors have floated around claiming that the emblem symbolized four driven wheels from the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, but that claim has no historical merit. It also carried forward the iconic emblem that lives on today, largely unchanged. In 1985, the Auto Union name disappeared forever and the Audi name (a Latin derivative of founder August Horch’s last name, meaning “to hear”) carried forth the same German auto-making spirit. These four companies formed what is known as the Auto Union, and initially, only Auto Union-specific cars bore the four-ringed badge, while the individual carmakers used their own logos. The four silver rings symbolize the 1932 merger of the four oldest car manufacturers in Germany: Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer. Aston Martinĭon’t make the mistake of thinking that Audi's logo has anything to do with the Olympic Games. Suffice it to say the folks at Alfa Romeo don’t much talk about that part. This part of the symbol has been very controversial, seemingly symbolizing the Crusades, wherein the Christians defeated the Moors. Though at first glance it appears that the crowned serpent is shooting red flames out of its mouth, it’s actually a man being swallowed. In 1925, it underwent further change to include laurels that signify the Alfa P2’s win at the Automobile World Championship, and in 1945 when Italy’s monarchy ended, the Savoy knots were removed. In 1918, the badge was changed to include a dark blue surround ring with the words “Alfa-Romeo Milano”, along with two Savoy dynasty knots for the kingdom of Italy. The left side shows a Milanese red cross on a white background. The original was created by Romano Catteneo, an Italian draughtsman, and the emblem employs Milanese elements, including the Biscione (shown on the right side of the emblem), which signifies the house of Visconti, Milanese rulers in the 14th century. One of the more intricate and dramatic automotive emblems, Alfa Romeo’s is rife with Italian tradition. That said, hood ornaments today are viewed as overwrought and detrimental to aerodynamics, to the ornamentalists’ chagrin. Hood ornaments can take the form of a three-dimensional representation of the brand’s emblem, like Mercedes-Benz’s three-pointed star on the E-Class or, they can be completely separate from the brand emblem, as is the case with the 1978 Ford Thunderbird’s model-specific ornament. Companies started making the cap the visual focal point, giving rise to iconic hood ornaments like Bentley’s Flying B or Packard’s Winged Woman. The hood ornament started when radiator caps were located on the outside of the car, rather than in the engine compartment. Companies like Bentley and Rolls-Royce lead the pack when it comes to sculpted hood candy, while brands like Jaguar and Cadillac no longer slap sleek leaping cats or wreathed crests ( respectively) on their cars. Not every brand has a fancy, protruding hood ornament - nor can every brand pull one off. So we’ve compiled the history and meanings of the most famous automotive logos and emblems - from Acura to Volvo. And that name and badge make a difference to buyers.īehind the creation and evolution of automotive emblems there’s often tradition, folklore and mystery. The automotive world works on many levels - even those that can be superficial. For car enthusiasts, it’s easy to believe that cars are purely about performance - that what matters is track times and vehicle specs, not superfluous details like the assembly of letters that make a name.
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