Send an answer to a topic: Car symbols
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Alexander
Opel : Originally a zeppelin, which became more stylized, not sure of why it become a lightning.
The lightning is a reference to the famous Opel Blitz truck. The German word 'Blitz' means lightning or flash.
The trucks used this symbol right from the beginning, while for the cars it was introduced as late as 1964. Zeppelins were rather outdated by then.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Opel_blitz_pritsche_1_sst.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Opel-Blitz-LF15.jpg
Alexander
If you like more information on the subject, have a look here:
http://gawlowski.com/matt/cars/car_logos.html
and especially here:
http://www.cartype.com/page.cfm?id=814&alph=ALL&dec=ALL
http://gawlowski.com/matt/cars/car_logos.html
and especially here:
http://www.cartype.com/page.cfm?id=814&alph=ALL&dec=ALL
58_Roadmaster
The family crest of David Dunbar Buick was not officially used until the 1937 model year. There were times in the 1930s-40s that Oldsmobile and Chevrolet used similar badges.
From 1903-1936 most badging included a blue rectangle with the word "Buick" in a diagonal script. Included often were the words "VALVE IN HEAD" in the upper left part of the rectangle, and "MOTOR CARS" in the lower right. The Valve in Head subtitle refers to its overhead valve engine.
The Buick shield logo was widened to fit more properly with the postwar designs that featured wider grilles.
Beginning in 1959, the logo split into three, to signify the all-new series names Le Sabre, Invicta, and Electra (and Electra 225) which replaced the familiar Special, Century, Roadmaster, and Limited names. For 1959, in some literature, these were represented by three diamonds in the colors red, yellow, and blue (see attachment). For the most part, the tri-shield set inside a ring appeared on models of 1960 to the present. An eagle (named "Happy" was used with the letters Buick on some models from 1975 through the 1980s. It should be noted that the red, white, and blue coloring and the interior detail or the tri-shield logo is no longer present.
References:
http://www.cartype.com/page.cfm?id=270&alph=ALL
http://www.buickheritagealliance.org/buickhistory.php
http://dixitcomunicacion.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/evolucion-de-los-logos-de-automoviles/
Attachment: 1959 Buick promotional matchbook
G-MANN
They are just the name written in an oval, so there is no hidden meaning I guess.
I imagine the lettering in the Ford logo comes from Henry Ford's signature.
G-MANN
The origin of the Mercedes-Benz logo: http://www.buildingbrands.com/didyouknow/15_mercedes_logo.php
MrCadillac
As a Cadillac admirer, I researched this topic thoroughly as regards the emblem of my favorite marque. You can see the results of that research here [BTW, Cadillac modified/modernized its logo in 2000 - I wonder why ???]:
www.car-nection.com/yann/Dbas_txt/COATARMS.HTM
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www.car-nection.com/yann/Dbas_txt/COATARMS.HTM
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How do symbols of a car relate to the name? What do they mean? ...
antp
They are just the name written in an oval, so there is no hidden meaning I guess.
MBSL65fan
Ford and Kia's symbols I don't think meant anything did they?
antp
Well, some Kia-made cars were sold as Ford, this was not just an abandonned project.
e.g. Ford Festiva / Kia Pride
e.g. Ford Festiva / Kia Pride
dmoss
Kia: I heard that the Kia emblem is in the same shape and size of the Ford blue oval due to Ford's previous partnership. Supposedly Ford was going to market a vehicle manufactured by Kia, but pulled out at the last minute. Since parts had already been manufactured in the shape to take the Ford logo it was too late to be changed.