35 Popular Car Logos That Every Gearhead Can Totally Name
- by Edward Cambro
- – on
- in Lifestyle
Cars and trains speak to the hearts and minds of young boys. I was obsessed with them. All of my friends were. My nephews and younger cousins adore them. It’s a genetic predisposition at this point. We want to drive them, we want to own a thousand of them. We sure as hell don’t want to pay the insurance, deal with ridiculous rules, superfluous tickets, obnoxious parking costs and traffic that makes you question the existence of a loving god, but you have to take the good with the bad.
However, not everyone remains as crazy about cars as we grow up. Especially with this damn video game generation. I hate to sound old, but those things are real time and attention-eaters. Anyway, there are plenty of people out there than can see a car zoom by and be able to tell you the make, model, year, VIN number and if it was circumcised. So, asking those questions wouldn’t be that much fun. But how about the logos? There are plenty of car companies out there that plaster their names on the logos (Ford, for instance), but there are others that get by on a simple symbol. We are here to test who is a true Gearhead, and who has lost their interest in cars.
What logo is this?
Remember when one of those Jersey Shore jackasses showed off the giant tattoo of this company’s name on his ribs? I was hoping the company would sue him and forced to get it burned off for copyright infringement. No such luck. Anyway, like many old car companies, this symbol is based on the founding family’s coat of arms. The color bands represent boldness, virtue and valor. I’m going to take a wild guess and say that the wreath somehow doesn’t represent heated leather seats.
What logo is this?
No, no, this isn’t John Bonham’s symbol from Zeppelin IV. It still a car company’s logo. This one is less esoteric and artistically focused than Cadillac’s. In fact, the meaning behind this company’s logo is more utilitarian than anything else. Here, the interlocking rings symbolize the four consolidated companies that comprise this manufacturer, letting customers know that they were united and equal. We’d list them specifically, but that would ruin the point of the quiz. So good luck, you’re on your own.
What logo is this?
For the longest time, I thought this was supposed to be a take on the peace symbol. Turns out, it’s a star. It has three points for a specific reason: the hope of this company was to make itself a dominating force in land, sea and air travel. While it never quite took off (tee-hee) in the air or sea, their luxury cars have always been popular and consistently used to connote wealth, class and distinction. All they needed to add was happiness and it’d be everything I’ll never have.
What logo is this?
No, this trident logo doesn’t mean Aquaman runs this company, though it’d be cool if he did. Then again, if superheroes existed in the real world, so would supervillains. The sheer amount of collateral damage created by their battles would ruin society. So, maybe we’re better off without it. The car company was created by a group of Italian brothers. Each point on the trident represents one brother, while the trident itself is based on a statue of Neptune (who is sometimes a relative of Aquaman).
What logo is this?
Let’s stay in Italy for a minute. It’s arguable that this company created the first sports and luxury cars. Its creator was obsessed with speed and loved racing cars. The logo drives this point home: the wild prancing horse signifying the great speed these cars are capable of. The horse itself was original used on the plane of heroic Italian fighter pilot Francesco Baracca. His parents told the manufacturer to paint the symbol on his cars for good luck. It worked.
What logo is this?
While this logo resembles the one for Mercedes-Benz, this one is not representative of a star. Rather, it is a mashup of several concepts. It is partially based on company founder Yatoro Iwasaki’s family crest, the symbol Yamanouchi/the Tosa Clan (who gave Iwasaki his first job) and the shape of the water chestnut plant. Those of you who know Japanese will easily be able to extrapolate the name of this company from the diamond shapes.
What logo is this?
Believe it or not, the symbol of this company isn’t based on the iron cross. In fact, nobody is quite sure what inspired the creation of the manufacturer’s famous bowtie logo. Founder William C. Durant pushed for the image. Some say it was inspired by a dream he had, a doodle he drew on a tablecloth, the Swiss flag, or a random newspaper advertisement. Perhaps it’s a freemason conspiracy Dan Brown can write 800 repetitive pages on.
What logo is this?
The symbol is a big L. Gee, I wonder what brand this could possibly be. Well, perhaps it is exactly the luxury brand you’re thinking of, or maybe the L stands for loser and it’s the exclusive brand for the New York Jets. Yes, I based this entire entry and purposely chose this logo just so I could bash the Jets. I regret nothing and apologize for even less. Anyway, yeah, this one’s a freebee. Don’t by the V6. They’re literally catching fire.
What logo is this?
Unless this car is from Wakanda, I’m pretty sure the cat on it isn’t a black panther. This famous logo was introduced in 1945 since their prior one—bird wings with SS in the center (standing for Standard-Swallow)—was too similar to the one used by the Nazis. Admittedly, when I first saw the damn thing, it was very creepy. The company has used this large cat heavily in its promotions since then, with the hood ornament being an item that is instantly recognizable and constantly stolen.
What logo is this?
If you’re drunk or squint really hard, this logo looks like a cowboy hat. So much so that the car company in question actually had to explain that it wasn’t. Rather, the overlapping halos represent a steering wheel, customer expectation and the car manufacturers intentions. The outermost circle represents the entire world embracing this brand of car. I’m not sure if it’s ambitious or hubristic, but I appreciate it nonetheless. While not my favorite car brand in the world, my father did drive one of these while I was growing up, so I have to admit a certain fondness for the company.
What logo is this?
Famously, the creator of this manufacturer had difficulties with his Ferrari. He managed to take his complaints to its CEO, Enzo, who became incensed. Enzo Ferrari told this customer (who was then just a tractor manufacturer) that if he had so many design notes, he should build his own [expletive deleted] company. So he did. Then the Curb Your Enthusiasm music played and the greatest car rivalry in history began. Even this company’s logo is one that mirrors Ferrari’s—using a shield design with an animal emblazoned on it.
What logo is this?
When Americans stopped buying American cars, they started buying these. They’re simple, cheap and will get you where you need to go. Hell, your dad probably drove one, or perhaps bought you one because they make for good “first cars.” They’ll take their knocks and keep going. Over the years, this brand has only increased in quality. In 2009 and 2012, their vehicles won the North American Car of the Year at the Detroit Auto Show, taking place in America’s first post-apocalyptic city.
What logo is this?
I’m tempted to just say, “James Bond’s car, stupid” and leave it at that. I’d probably get in trouble, and worse yet, there may be some people who aren’t fans of 007 who might be taking this test and would be at a loss. Usually, I’d say shrug apathetically, but I try to be a kind and fair person, as my history of leaving notes on cars I hit could tell you. Anyway, yeah, this is one of Britain’s oldest car manufacturers. It also has had a controversial and difficult history, having gone bankrupt seven times in its hundred-year history.
What logo is this?
As if you didn’t know the symbol. Please. They make everything from motorcycles and sports cars to hybrids and hideous racing jackets. They’re reasonable for trend-setting vehicles like the Mini and the stylish and status symbolizing Rolls-Royce, which I would take over a Bentley any day of the week. That’s not exactly a high I’d die on—they’re both owned by the same parent company and I couldn’t afford either brand. But, whatever. I have my tastes.
What logo is this?
Want an incredible obscure reference? Of course you do. Comedian Jim Norton used to tell stories on the Opie & Anthony radio show about adventures he had driving this now-defunct car brand. Compared to many other manufacturers in the world, this one lived and died very quickly; first opening its doors in 1982 and closing in 2009 when GM decided to restructure following the economic crisis in 2008. I mean, what else is there really to say about them? They were affordable. The Sky was pretty nice, even if it did borrow heavily from its Pontiac cousin.
What logo is this?
Speaking of financial crises’, Asia suffered a big one in 1997. One of its victims was this massive conglomerate. Not only did they make cars, but they were a strong force in electronics, construction equipment, ship building and engineering and financial sector (oh hi, irony). Despite having their fingers in just about everything, the company couldn’t survive and was dismantled by the Korean government in 1999. Pieces of the company were sold off and some exist independently to this day.
What logo is this?
The Swedish are usually credited with their chocolate, but they make mighty fine cars too. Well, just not this company anymore. They filed bankruptcy in 2012, after being in business for almost 70 years. For a good chunk near the end, they were owned by General Motors, who kept the brand going. However, in 2010, Spyker N.V., a Dutch manufacturer, purchased the brand…and quickly went bankrupt with it. Spyker itself attempted to sell its assets to an American company, which declined.
What logo is this?
Sure, I’ll be giving away the right answer, but I have to make a comment. I don’t like it when words are purposely misspelled for the sake of branding. Inglorious Basterds is a fine movie. I don’t know what it was necessary to spell Bastards with an E. Same thing with Mortal Kombat. Why the K? I don’t get it. Anyway, yeah, this car company purposely misspells this vehicle, which is a shame. It’s a fine car. It doesn’t need this ridiculous branding.
What logo is this?
This company made some of my favorite muscle cars of all time. Their commercials also used to be narrated by Wilson from Home Improvement. I’m not sure how helpful these hints are, but they’re still hints nonetheless. If you grew up in the 90s, this car company melted your face by introducing the Viper. The company offers substantially more than muscle and sports cars, of course—sturdy trucks and reliable family vehicles—but they’re not nearly as cool as the things that attracted you to cars in the first place.
What logo is this?
This company uses a series of stars as its logo. The reason behind this is rather pleasant. Initially, the name came from the Japanese translation of the Pleiades star cluster M45 in the Taurus constellation—one of the few close enough to be seen by the naked eye. However, the use of six stars (apparently not a reference to Kenny Omega) in the logo may not be a reference to the constellation, but a reference to the amalgamated car brands that comprise this company.
What logo is this?
This German brand at first looks like it borrowed its logo from Ferrari and Lamborghini. However, the logo is a combination of two different coats of arms: The Free State of Württemberg in western Germany and Stuttgart, which was its former capital. The company’s original factory is there, and each car is therefore part of the legacy that started in Württemberg. Of course, you probably don’t care much about that. This expensive sports car brand is all about status and speed. And it definitely doesn’t hurt that they have great designs.
What logo is this?
Back when Detroit was viable, this car company made the city its home. This car company is the oldest active one in America—older even than the Ford Motor Company (though, it was thanks to Ford that American workers now have weekends). This company’s long history of well-built and reliable cars has made it a favorite among buyers. That is remains popular in the United States and China, it has allowed the company to survive the 2008 economic downturn to make records sales in 2015.
What logo is this?
In the near-future, bipedal lions will rise from the dead and scour the earth in search of their own car company. They’ll develop headquarters in Paris and Sochaux and make reliable cars that no one in America ever hears about. This brand is actually quite old, having opened its doors in 1810. Obviously, they weren’t selling cars at the time; it was a family-owned business that made coffee mills and bicycles. Their cars, however, are indeed quite reliable. There are models created in the 50s and 60s that are still running today.
What logo is this?
This is another high-end Italian car company. As far as logos go, it’s certainly one of the weirdest. It was rumored that it’s a reference to Milanese Knight Otone Visconti who fought in the First Crusades and took the symbol of a snake consuming a man on his shield. However, the company has claimed it is not a reference to Visconti and the snake on their logo isn’t eating the man. Instead, the man is reborn and his coming out of the snake’s mouth. Well, at least that’s cleared up.
What logo is this?
This might be too deep a reference, but the logo of this car company reminds me of the Romulan symbol used in the trailers for Star Trek: Nemesis. The company is Korean but owned by an Indian conglomerate. Their name translated from Korean to English means “Double Dragon.” Somehow, I doubt it’s related to the video game series of the same name. But that would be cool. The company has a history of bad financial luck, often being sold off when their latest acquiring company goes bankrupt. Cars are pretty decent, though, if nothing too visually exciting.
What logo is this?
This was the first non-American car my grandfather bought. It was also the last car he ever bought. Not trying to imply correlation there, just a fact. I added this brand simply because he enjoyed the car so much. Then again, being his age and still driving was a pleasure for him, and I’m sure a terror for everyone else. Remember the “Grey Drawn” episode of South Park? My grandfather wasn’t a bad driver, but really, there comes a point where the elderly should not be on the road.
What logo is this?
Do you love my esoteric clues? I hope so because here comes another one. This French car company shares a name with a villain in the first season of Twin Peaks (of course, the siblings of this villain are seen in the following two seasons but aren’t as important to the narrative). The company—which began production in 1899—has longstanding relationships with Nissan and Volvo (which I think was the name of one of Jerry’s girlfriends on Seinfeld).
What logo is this?
Another bizarre clue: this company shares the name of one of my favorite New Japan Pro Wrestling grapplers. Scary guy. Likes to beat people up. Former Mixed Martial Artist too. If this is too difficult, the logo is an S. That should narrow this down heavily. Anyway, the cars. While mostly known here in the states for their ATVs and mostly definitely their loud but powerful motorcycles, this brand is Japan’s largest car manufacturer and the tenth overall in the world.
What logo is this?
Well, this is just a bizarre name. I suppose most car brand names are strange, but this one more than most. It’s named for a part of a car. Admittedly, that isn’t strange in and of itself, but once you get the answer you’ll probably be as perplexed as I was. The logo doesn’t match the name either, which only adds to it. Sure, none of the logos really do, but this one seems like an obvious choice. But, whatever, I’m not in marketing.
What logo is this?
At first, I thought the logo was a large, deformed green hand. It reminded me of “Who Mourns for Adonais?”—the Star Trek episode where Captain Kirk fights the Greek god Apollo. God, I love the insanity of The Original Series. Anyway, turns out this logo is not a Star Trek reference (boo!) but an arrow with wings on it. The logo symbolizes the aspirations and hopes for the future of the company, which is nice. But the Trek reference would’ve been better.
What logo is this?
When I heard the name, I thought it was for French orange juice. The company has a long-standing relationship with Peugeot and is currently owned by Dongfeng—a Chinese car company that purchased this one since their cars sold so well in Asia. Despite the military-like chevron design of the logo, they do not make military vehicles. Rather, they’re known for their sleek concept cars and their evolving design strategies. This company even produced the first foreign made Motor Trend Car of the Year.
What logo is this?
Sure, I’m not in love with their designs, but that doesn’t mean this company makes bad cars. They are a status symbol among status symbols. Their logo is a pair of wings, which is quite appropriate, because you might as well buy a private plane with the money you’d spend on purchasing one of these cars. One of the great things about them though is the high level of customization you have in purchasing one. Of course, it will be of little comfort to your first born, whom you’d have to give up to even lease this car.
What logo is this?
This is Japan’s oldest surviving car manufacturer. It is an instantly recognizable brand; even if you don’t know the name, you’ve seen that boxy design before. Honestly, prior to being full introduced to the company, I figured these vehicles were of Swedish design. The Swedes do love their polygons. They also look like the square-wheeled Canadian cars in South Park. There’s a fairy tale quality to the cars this company produces that is incredibly charming in its child-like structural sensibilities.
What logo is this?
Their symbol looks like an owl. Despite rumors to the contrary, this is not an intentional design element. Batman still probably doesn’t care for this car, but then again, he doesn’t seem to like much of anything. In actuality, the owl-like brow is a stylized M, which is the first letter of this car brand. We probably can’t be any clearer in our hints than that. While the company doesn’t seem to be as ubiquitous in commercials and on the road here in America like they were in the 90s, they’re still producing high-quality and respected cars.
What logo is this?
We round out this quiz with a sadly lost American brand. Their name matches their style and their legacy. It was classic, even in their modern vehicles. Hell, their logo practically even say their name on it, but you’d know the type of car it was passing by on the street even if you didn’t see the stylized O. While they had mighty fine modern cars, but their best years were in the age of the muscle cars. They helped blaze the trail and set the standard of badass American machines. Love ya, miss ya.