Growing up, one of my earliest thrills was tagging along with my dad to watch the powerful and elegant horses at the Kentucky Derby. As much as I dreamed of riding a horse to school, my love for speed and style found a new outlet: fast cars. It’s no surprise that some of the world’s most famous automakers choose horses for their logos. These symbols aren’t just about speed – they represent power, freedom, and a legacy of excellence.
Take Ferrari, for instance. Their iconic prancing horse is instantly recognizable, embodying both luxury and high performance. Porsche’s crest also features a sleek stallion, signaling prestige and power. If you’re a car enthusiast, you probably rattled off those names without breaking a sweat. But what about the lesser-known brands that also use this noble creature in their logos?
Whether you’re a car aficionado or just someone curious about the stories behind these emblems, we’re about to look into the world of automakers that proudly display a horse on their logos. Let’s discover the brands that have harnessed the spirit of the horse to drive their image and reputation.
Ferrari
Ferrari’s iconic prancing horse logo has a pretty fascinating backstory. The black horse originally belonged to Count Francesco Baracca, a legendary Italian air force ace during World War I. Baracca painted this horse on the side of every plane he flew. Some say it came from the Duke of Savoy’s banner back in 1692, while others think it was a nod to his family’s stables. There’s also a story that he took it from a pilot he shot down from Stuttgart, Germany, where the city’s crest features a similar horse.
Regardless of its exact origin, Baracca flew into battle with this black prancing horse and became a national hero. Tragically, he was shot down in 1918 after 34 victories. Fast forward to 1923, Enzo Ferrari, fresh off a race win at the Savio circuit in Ravenna, got to meet Count Enrico Baracca and his wife, Countess Paolina Baracca. It was the Countess who suggested that Enzo should put the prancing horse on his cars for good luck.
The yellow background on the Ferrari logo? That’s a tribute to Modena, Italy, Enzo Ferrari’s hometown. And the “S” and “F” stand for “Scuderia Ferrari,” which means “Ferrari Stables.” Whether Enzo believed in luck or just liked the symbol, he took the Countess’s advice, and the prancing horse has been on Ferrari cars ever since. So, next time you see that iconic badge, you’ll know it’s not just a cool design – it’s a piece of history.
Ford Mustang
When you think of cars with a horse symbol, the Ford Mustang probably comes to mind. This classic American icon has a logo as cool as the car itself. Phil Clark designed the original Mustang horse logo with red, white, and blue bars to highlight its American heritage. Charles Keresztes later created a second version with the pony in a corral for the Mustang II.
Lee Iacocca, the mastermind behind the Mustang, insisted the horse gallop from left to right, saying, “The Mustang is a wild horse, not a domesticated racer.” And wild it was. When it debuted in 1964, the Mustang was marketed as an innovative, luxurious, yet affordable sports car. Its unique emblem helped it quickly become a classic and a staple of Ford Motors.
Originally, the Mustang was almost named the Cougar, with other options like Torino, Avanti, and Allegro. But Ford settled on Mustang, and the iconic horse logo stuck. The design, inspired by American spirit, showed the horse in profile to symbolize speed and freedom. Over the years, the logo saw tweaks, but the galloping pony became a lasting symbol.
The Mustang II prototype featured a chrome pony, which appeared on the front and rear grilles and even the gas cap. This logo reflected Ford’s commitment to the Mustang brand. In 1994, Ford reintroduced the pony logo with the SN-95 Mustang, showing the pony running freely without the corral, symbolizing the Mustang’s enduring, youthful energy. Today, the galloping horse remains a symbol of speed, power, and American automotive excellence.
Porsche
Did I hear ya say, “doesn’t Porsche have a horse in its logo too?” Well, you’re spot on!
The story of Porsche’s horse logo starts in the early 1950s. Although Porsche had been putting its name on cars since 1950, it wasn’t until 1953 that the idea of creating an official logo really took off. Initially, Porsche and a loyal customer, Dr. Ottomar Domnick, held a design competition in Germany to come up with a trademark. Despite offering a prize of 1,000 Deutsche Marks, none of the designs won them over.
Then, a game-changing idea came from New York. Max Hoffman, an Austrian-born car importer who was instrumental in bringing European sports cars to the US, saw a big opportunity. After the Porsche 356 won an award at the Watkins Glen Concours d’Élégance, Hoffman convinced Ferry Porsche to create a logo that would reflect the brand’s heritage and appeal to customers. His suggestion struck a chord, and by 1952, the iconic Porsche logo made its debut on the steering wheel of the Porsche 356.
The design of the Porsche logo was inspired by Stuttgart’s city seal, featuring a rearing horse. Stuttgart, founded around 950 AD as a center for horse breeding, provided a fitting symbol. The city’s name itself comes from ‘Stuotgarten,’ meaning stud farm. The horse in the logo stands for the power, agility, and elegance of Porsche cars.
So, when you see that famous horse on a Porsche, you’re looking at more than just a logo. It’s a piece of history that ties back to the brand’s roots and the city where it all began.
Carlsson
Carlsson, a German automaker established in the late 1980s, is known for tuning cars to make them faster, stronger, and more comfortable. Their logo reflects this “faster” aspect pretty well. The logo features a sleek, running horse on a matte black roundel with a thick silver frame, above bold, white italicized letters spelling “Carlsson.” The delicate, elegant horse silhouette adds a touch of grace to the bold logo.
There are rumors that Carlsson might have copied their logo from Pegaso, a Spanish manufacturer, which makes for an interesting story. Pegaso’s logo featured a winged horse, and some claim Carlsson’s horse looks remarkably similar, just flipped in the opposite direction. The body, legs, tail, and even the mouth of the horse are said to be almost identical to Pegaso’s, with only subtle differences in the mane.
Carlsson has denied copying Pegaso’s logo, attributing the resemblance to the design company they hired in 1989. They insisted they were unaware of Pegaso’s logo. Despite the controversy, Carlsson continued using their logo, even placing it prominently on car grilles in the early 2000s, which sparked further attention.
Interestingly, Pegaso, later acquired by Iveco, did not pursue legal action against Carlsson. Iveco even used a similar horse emblem for their 70th anniversary edition of Pegaso, suggesting they weren’t too bothered by Carlsson’s logo.
So, while Carlsson’s horse logo has its share of drama and speculation, it remains a distinctive symbol of their brand, embodying the speed and elegance they bring to the automotive world.
Asquith Motors
Asquith Motors is a British car brand and they’ve been making waves in the commercial vehicle market since the early 1980s. Their logo, featuring a horse, reflects their commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
The Asquith logo is a minimalist masterpiece. It features a horse drawn in thick, flat black lines, giving it an abstract and modern look. The horse faces left and emerges from a flat white roundel, which is crossed diagonally by a thick green ribbon with curved sides. This simple yet striking design sets Asquith apart from other car logos, which tend to be more detailed.
Using a horse in their logo symbolizes power, strength, and reliability – qualities that Asquith Motors embodies in their vehicles. Specializing in commercial vehicles, Asquith has built a solid reputation for producing practical, efficient, and durable transportation solutions that stand the test of time. Their vehicles are trusted by businesses and drivers alike for their reliability and performance.
So, while Asquith Motors may not be a household name, their horse logo speaks volumes about their dedication to excellence and refined sense of style. It’s a perfect representation of a brand that combines practicality with a touch of elegance.
Khodro
Khodro, an Iranian automaker with roots going back to the early 1960s, might not be a global household name, but it’s a major player in its home country. Their logo features a horse, symbolizing speed and elegance, much like the Arabian steed. This emblem represents Khodro’s pioneering spirit in Iran’s automotive industry.
The Khodro logo is sleek and stylish, using a blue and white color palette that looks fresh and clean. The horse is depicted as a stylized profile silhouette of a horse’s head, facing right. The head is rendered in white and silver on a gradient blue background, all enclosed in a thin, elegant silver frame shaped like a classic crest. This design choice conveys both modernity and tradition, reflecting the brand’s values.
Khodro has built a reputation for producing a wide range of vehicles that blend modern design with traditional craftsmanship. Their lineup caters to the diverse tastes of their customers, from practical daily drivers to more luxurious options. Despite not being well-known internationally, Khodro has firmly established itself as a leading manufacturer in the Iranian automotive market.
In essence, Khodro’s horse logo isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a symbol of the brand’s dedication to quality, innovation, and the rich heritage of Iranian craftsmanship. So, even if you haven’t heard of Khodro before, their logo tells a story of speed, elegance, and pioneering spirit.
Kamaz
Kamaz, a major Russian manufacturer of engines, trucks, and buses, boasts a logo featuring an ungovernable horse, symbolizing beauty, strength, harmony, and speed. This imagery perfectly reflects the qualities of Kamaz vehicles, known for their cost efficiency and reliability.
Kamaz was established in 1969 during the Soviet era. It was designed as a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub, employing over 100,000 people at its peak. The small city around the factory grew significantly, now housing over half a million residents. Despite its Russian roots, Kamaz has a global reach, supplying machinery to brands like Hitachi and Renault.
The horse in the Kamaz logo represents the company’s forward momentum and unyielding spirit. As Kamaz continues to produce reliable and efficient vehicles, its emblem remains a powerful symbol of its commitment to excellence and innovation. So, even if Kamaz isn’t a name you’re familiar with, its logo tells the story of a company that embodies strength, speed, and a drive towards the future.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo, a legendary name in Italian car history, is known for its distinctive logo featuring a red cross and a serpent eating a man. This emblem represents the city of Milan and the Visconti family. But there’s more to Alfa Romeo’s story, especially when it comes to their racing heritage.
Back in 1923, Alfa Romeo’s race cars sported a prancing horse on their livery. This horse symbolized speed, agility, and victory on the track. The prancing horse first appeared on cars from Scuderia Ferrari, Alfa Romeo’s racing division founded by none other than Enzo Ferrari.
When Enzo Ferrari eventually started his own car company, he took the lucky horse with him. That prancing horse became the iconic symbol we now associate with Ferrari. So, while Alfa Romeo’s official logo doesn’t feature a horse, their racing history is deeply connected to the symbol of a prancing horse, which now famously adorns Ferrari cars.
In essence, Alfa Romeo’s flirtation with the horse logo in its racing days highlights its rich history in motorsports and its influence on one of the most famous car brands in the world.
Baojun
Baojun, a Chinese carmaker whose name means “Treasured Horse,” fittingly features a horse in its logo, symbolizing power, beauty, and freedom—qualities cherished in Chinese culture. In ancient China, horses were crucial in cultural, military, and agricultural aspects, symbolizing high spirits, activity, and energy. It’s no wonder Baojun chose the horse for its emblem.
The original Baojun logo, designed in 2010, featured a shiny, three-dimensional silver crest with a stylized horse head inside a traditional shield. The horse faced left, with a sharp, triangular ear, presenting a clean and modern look without extra colors or elements.
In 2019, Baojun updated its logo to a more abstract and matte design, adding a gray logotype beneath it. The new emblem consists of a voluminous rectangle and a larger geometric element forming a rhomboid shape. This redesign reflects Baojun’s forward-thinking and innovative spirit.
The main badge, a shield with a realistic horse’s head inside, captures the noble and free spirit of the animal. Interestingly, the horse’s head faces right, which is unusual since most brands prefer logos facing left to symbolize looking towards the future. The only color used in the Baojun logo is silver, adding a sleek and modern touch.
Corre La Licorne
Next on our list is Corre La Licorne, a brand that doesn’t feature a typical horse in its logo but instead boasts something even more magical—a unicorn. The Corre La Licorne logo depicts this mythical creature, adding a unique twist to the usual horse imagery.
Originally known simply as Corre, the company changed its name to “La Licorne” (French for “the unicorn”) after a successful racing driver, Waldemar Lestienne, joined the team. Lestienne came from a family whose coat of arms featured a unicorn, and this legendary creature became the car company’s emblem.
Founded in 1901 by Jean-Marie Corre, Corre La Licorne was a French automobile manufacturer based in Levallois-Perret, just outside Paris. They produced cars until 1947, earning a reputation for their elegant designs. The company’s logo featured a sleek, rounded badge with a depiction of a unicorn in a rampant position. The unicorn, drawn in golden metallic shades, stood against a solid dark-red background. This medallion was enclosed in a thick white frame with golden lettering around it, giving it a distinguished and refined look.
Eicher
Eicher, a major player in the Indian auto market since 1948, uses a horse in its logo, symbolizing strength and motion. The logo features bold uppercase letters and a red and white emblem with a minimalist horse design. Though Eicher hasn’t officially explained the choice, the horse likely represents:
- Strength and Endurance: Reflecting qualities crucial for their commercial vehicles and motorcycles.
- Historical Context: A nod to when horses were key in transportation and agriculture in India.
- Simplicity: A memorable and recognizable image that stands out.