Image: Wiki Commons by The Car Spy
About This Quiz
Symbols and badges are used to identify all kinds of products. They are the identifying marks of brands and products all around the world.ÂÂ
The automotive industry is one of the industries most associated with symbols and badges. This industry's most recognizable brand symbols, aside from its emblems, are the hood ornaments used to adorn its vehicles.ÂÂ
In fact, even if you don't consider yourself a car aficionado, we bet you can identify the maker of some of the most popular cars, simply by seeing their hood ornaments, which are sometimes also used as their logos.
So popular are these iconic ornaments, that car manufacturers have had to do away with them because they are easy targets for thieves! Who can forget the fad that was around just a few years ago, when it was considered trendy to wear the hood ornament from a Mercedes on a chain around your neck?
Hood ornaments have mostly been replaced with badges, but they too are quite recognizable. How good are you at knowing which hood ornament or badge goes with a particular car? In this quiz, you have 50 chances to show just how much you know about cars and their identifying symbols.
What are you waiting for? Take the quiz now!
Wiki Commons via sv1ambo
And this one?
GAZ
DeSoto
Ford Mustang
The iconic Ford Mustang logo, featuring a mustang horse adorned the iconic muscle car from the 1960s onwards. Today, the horse runs to the left, but there were variants of the logo where the horse ran to the right. It's been modified several times over the year and has a more muscular look on modern vehicles.
Willys Knight
youtube
What car has this hood ornament?
Polestar
Mercedes-Benz
Now a badge on modern vehicles more than a hood ornament, the Mercedes-Benz Tri-Star logo has been around since the company formed in 1926. The three points symbolize "domination of the land, the sea, and the air," as Mercedes made engines in all those spheres in its early years.
DeSoto
Volvo
Subaru
Which car has this hood ornament or badge?
Subaru
The Subaru logo featured a representation of the Pleiades star cluster. The name "Subaru," in fact is the Japanese translation of "Pleiades." The large star represents Fuji Heavy Industries (the company's original parent company), with the smaller stars representing the subsidiaries, which the auto division was a part.
Aston Martin
Jawa
Plymouth
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Hyundai Group
And this car?
Horch
Hyundai
Hyundai's logo, when it first was unveiled, was often confused with Honda's logo. As the company grew and became more familiar, however, people became used to the branding. Immediately noticeable is the oval shape encompassing the H. This indicates the company's global expansion. The two arms of the H are connected, a "handshake" which symbolize the interaction and trust between the brand and its customers.
Hispano-Suiza
Hudson
Wiki commons
Which vehicle has this car hood ornament or badge?
Rossion
Cadillac
Cadillac's logo has changed greatly over the years, but for almost 100 years, the logo has featured some form of a stylized "coat of arms," inspired by that of Antoine de la Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, the French explorer who is the company's namesake.
Avion Voisin
Buick
BMW AG
What kind of car is this, based on its hood ornament or badge?
BMW
Most will recognize the BMW hood logo, the iconic blue and white quarters in a circle. Many believe this, in fact, symbolizes a propeller as the company did first start out by manufacturing aviation engines. The white and blue are the national colors of Bavaria.
Mercedes
Hispano-Suiza
Honda
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Audi AG
What car has this hood ornament design?
Chevrolet
Audi
The hood emblem design for Audi features the now-famous "Four Rings." Not many people know what these symbolize, however. In 1932 four different companies merged - Audi, Horch, Wanderer, and DKW. The rings symbolize this merger.
Cadillac
Porsche
Wiki Commons via LSDSL
What kind of car is attached to this car hood ornament?
BMW
Ford Mustang
Maybach
Maybach, a luxury German car automaker and now part of Mercedes-Benz, has the double MM logo (standing for Maybach Motorenbau). The logo also appeared on vehicles as a hood ornament, as seen in this photo. The company was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach.
Hyundai
Ferrari N.V.
What is this car?
Lamborghini
Ferrari
Another extremely famous emblem that even those not interested in motor vehicles will be able to identify, Ferrari's Prancing Horse is the symbol of the Italian sports car company, Ferrari. It first appeared on Alfa Romeos in the 1920s when Enzo Ferrari raced for the company as a good luck charm.
Ikco
Koenigsegg
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youtube
What car has this unique badge design?
Hyundai
Toyota
BMW
Koenigsegg
This Swedish hypercar manufacturer Koenigsegg was founded in 1994. Since its inception, their badge has been a shield with red, blue and yellow within it. Founder Charles Koenigsegg made a starting point for the design using his own family logo as a base.
youtube
What luxury vehicle has this car hood ornament or badge?
Mini
BMW
Buick
Bentley
The Flying B is one of the most famous hood ornaments in the world. It has adorned Bentley models since the company was started by W.O. Bentley with the first car produced in 1919. In 2010, Bentley was forced to recall cars and modify the hood ornament for fear that it could injure pedestrians in an accident.
Wiki Commons via Francesco Gasparetti
What vehicle has this hood ornament or badge attached to it?
Audi
Chevrolet
Subaru
Spyker
Dutch car manufacturer Spyker use the car wheel and propeller as its hood badge design. It first appeared in 1914 when the company and an aircraft manufacturer merged. The logo bears the Latin phrase "Nulla Tenaci invia est" ("For the tenacious no road is impassable").
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Jaguar Land Rover Limited
What car has this hood ornament attached to it?
Jaguar
Probably one of the most iconic hood ornaments in history, Jaguar's "The Leaper" adorned most early models of this British brand. Today, because of various safety laws, including a 2005 European Union regulation, the hood ornament is no longer a standard accessory.
Bentley
Oldsmobile
Tesla
youtube
What car hood ornament or badge is this?
Lamborghini
Hyundai
Chevrolet
The Chevrolet "Bowtie" is instantly recognizable. But where does it come from? It is claimed that it was designed by one of the people who started the company, William Durant, and first appeared on vehicles in 1913. This may not be the entire story, however, as some historians believed he may have "borrowed" it from a company called Coalettes, a coal company.
Dodge
youtube
How about this one?
Plymouth
Maserati
BMW
Toyota
The current Toyota logo was first used in around 1990. Previously, the car had only been adorned with signage with Toyota appearing on the hood. It comprises overlapping loops forming a T, each with a specific meaning. The two that form the T-shape signify a steering wheel, along with the relationship and trust between the brand and its customers while the encircling oval indicates the company's expansion globally.
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youtube
Which car did this hood ornament or badge come from?
Koenigsegg
Porsche
This emblem, which appears on the hood of all Porsche sports cars, is based on the coat of arms of the Free People's State of Wurttemberg, of which Stuttgart was the capital. The city has a history of being a horse farm. And those are not swords towards the top and bottom of the horse; they are antlers.
Alfa Romeo
Plymouth
Wiki commons
What car has this badge design?
Lincoln
The four pointed star hood ornament appeared on Lincoln vehicles in 1958. Some say that the Lincoln star stands for the four corners of the earth, while others believe it a "celestial body" that stands for the brand's radiance and opulence. Others believe that there really is no meaning behind it, besides being a recognizable symbol for the company. Whatever the meaning, it has become an indelible part of this luxury car maker's identity.
Koenigsegg
Mercury
Chevrolet
youtube
This familiar car hood ornament or badge came from which vehicle?
Nash
Alfa Romeo
A red cross and a snake eating a man... what's not to like about the Alfa Romeo badge? Well, the red cross is actually part of the coat of arms for the Visconti family, the most influential family in the city of Milan, where the marque was born. The snake eating a man comes from the tale of an important Milan citizen who killed a knight during the crusades and brought the symbols he used on his shield back to the city. The man might actually be emerging from the snake - a new man, purified - if you'd like to see it that way.
Rolls Royce
Rossion
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Wiki Commons via Artaxerxes
What explorer-like car has this hood ornament design?
Porsche
DeSoto
Founded by Walter Chrysler, DeSoto manufactured vehicles between 1928 and 1961. On their Diplomat Model, they chose to have a Spanish conquistador as the hood ornament. Stylish, if politically incorrect.
Spyker
Pontiac
youtube
From what Italian car brand can you find this car hood ornament or badge?
Spyker
Chevrolet
Maserati
The Maserati Trident was inspired by the Fountain of Neptune, located at the Plazza Magglore in Bologna, and denotes strength and vigor. It was introduced in 1926 on the company's Tipo 26 model.
Toyota
youtube
What kind of vehicle is this, based on its hood ornament or badge?
Volvo
Volvo - the Latin word "volvere" translates to "I Roll" - originally manufactured bearings for the automotive industry. The circle and arrow pointing up is actually an ancient symbol used to denote iron, and is used here to represent the strength of Swedish iron used in the company's vehicles.
Peugeot
Jeep
Oldsmobile
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Wiki Commons via Axel Schwenke
Which car did this hood ornament come from?
Renault
Land Rover
Jeep
Jeep uses a clever design logo, with seven vertical lines flanked on either side by a circle, representing the classic radiator grille that forms the front of the vehicle. The vehicles themselves never have this design on them, however; they only have the word, "Jeep."
Mini
Wiki Commons via Tomasz Zugaj
Another tell-tale sign of the car's name is designed on its badge. What is it?
GAZ's Leaping Deer
Produced in the Soviet Union, GAZ automobiles have been in production since 1932. From 1950, models featured and elaborate Leaping Deer as a hood ornament. The first model to have this was the GAZ-12 ZIM, a limousine and first executive car produced by the company.
Jaguar's Leaper
Peugeot's Lion
Bugatti's Dancing Elephant
youtube
From what Italian luxury vehicle can you find this badge?
Porsche
Koenigsegg
Ferrari
Lamborghini
If you see this in your rearview mirror, best to pull over and let the car pass - unless you are driving a hypercar! Why a bull for Italian car manufacturer Lamborghini? It's the symbol power that translates to the sports car. Some believe it also bears a passing resemblance to the Ferrari logo because of the rivalry between Ferruccio Lamborghini and Enzo Ferrari.
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youtube
What car has this hood ornament or badge?
Ford
The cursive lettering of the Ford logo was devised by Henry Ford's long-time friend, Childe Harold Wills, as an alternative to the long-winded Ford Motor Company. It first appeared, without the oval, on a 1903 Model A. It has been slightly modified over the century, but It is one of the most recognizable corporate symbols in the world today.
Acura
Nissan
Daewoo
Wiki Commons via Carol M. Highsmith
The car hood ornament acts out the name of the car, so what's the brand?
Mercedes-Benz
Bentley
Pierce-Arrow
A direct link to the name of the auto manufacturer, the Silver Archer - a kneeling man with a bow - appeared on Pierce-Arrow vehicles. The company made cars between 1901 and 1938.
Delahaye
Wiki Commons via Pkofler
Can you guess this vehicle based on its car hood ornament or badge?
Pontiac
Pontiac is a manufacturer that has had a range of hood ornaments and other hood badges over the years. This includes the "dart" which in fact is an arrowhead, a natural progression from the Native American chief who formed part of their early logos.
Buick
Maserati
Koenigsegg
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youtube
Which vehicle has this car hood ornament or badge?
Alfa Romeo
Lotus
Mitsubishi
The name Mitsubishi comes from two Japanese words: "Mitsu" ("three") and "hishi" ("rhombus" or "diamond"). The company says the three diamonds stand for integrity, reliability and success.
Peugeot
Wiki Commons by jimknopfmuc
This hood ornament is from which car?
Rolls-Royce
Perhaps the most recognizable hood ornament in the world, Rolls-Royce's Spirit of Ecstasy (also called the Silver Lady or the Flying Lady) was designed by sculptor Charles Robinson Sykes and features a lady leaning forward with arms stretched behind her and clothes billowing in the wind. The design has changed slightly over the years and still appears on cars produced by the company today. It is spring loaded and will retract into the hood if the car is involved in a crash.
Pontiac
Bugatti
Jaguar
Wiki Commons via sv1ambo
This huge hood ornament came from which car?
GAZ
Dodge
Although you won't find them on a Dodge now, the Leaping Ram was found on vehicles produced starting around 1932 by this American manufacturer. Eventually, it progressed to just a ram's head in 1951 and then a ram on a badge. Now the ram is associated with a truck brand.
Jaguar
Rolls-Royce
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Lotus Cars
What car brand is this, judging from its hood ornament?
Mercedes
Kia
Datsun
Lotus
British car manufacturer Lotus used a simple badge design with the words Lotus inside a triangular shape, itself within a circle. The predominant color is British racing green, a favorite among car manufacturers in the 1950s and 1960s. The letters "A C B C" in the logo stand for the company's founder, Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman.
Wiki Commons by nemor2
This amusing and artistic car hood ornament is attached to which vehicle?
Bugatti
The Dancing Elephant appeared on Bugatti vehicles. It was designed by Rembrandt Bugatti, a sculptor, and brother to the owner, Ettore Bugatti. But he never saw it appear on and Bugattis, having taken his life years earlier.
Jaguar
Ferrari
Subaru
Groupe Renault
From what French car brand can you find this car hood ornament or badge?
Renault
French manufacturer Renault certainly liked to change its logo in the early years. A few of the early designs include a tank and a car grille among others. In 1925, they used the diamond; we still see a modified version of it on their vehicles today.
Porsche
Maserati
Citroen
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Wiki Commons via Triple-green - Duesenberg Kühlerfigur
What car hood ornament or badge from the past is this?
Jeep
Lamborghini
Duesenberg
Duisenberg produced a range of hood ornaments between 1913 and 1937. One particular favorite was the Duesenbird, a sharp, angular design, definitely different from what other manufacturers used at the time. It would never get past health and safety today, however.
DeSoto
Wiki Commons via Public Domain
What classy car has this hood ornament or badge?
Rolls-Royce
Jaguar
Benz & Cie.
Karl Benz co-founded Benz & Companie Rheinische Gasmotoren-Fabrik (commonly known as Benz & Cie.). In 1926, that company merged with Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft to form Mercedes-Benz,
Pierce-Arrow
Wiki Commons via Thomas Quine
This car hood ornament has the symbol that lives on to this day, even if the company has changed. Name it.
Willys Knight
Packard
Maserati
Auto Union
A predecessor of Audi, Auto Union was the result of a merger between four German automobile manufacturers - Audi, Horch, DKW, Wanderer - in 1932. The company we know now as Audi was formed in 1985.
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Wiki Commons via Wolfgang S
What car brand is this, based on its hood ornament or badge?
Cadillac
Duesenberg
Hispano-Suiza
Another flight-themed ornament, the Flying Stork appeared on Hispano-Suiza vehicles, a Spanish luxury brand often compared with Rolls Royce. The stork itself (shown head-on in this photo) is in a downward flap, with the wings attaching it to a base, both incredibly beautiful and striking.
Buick
Wiki Commons via Thomas Quine
From what American car brand can you find this car hood ornament or badge?
Maybach
Ferrari
Plymouth
This incredible design from Plymouth looks nothing like a ship until you take a closer look. It is then that you see a sailing ship within the borders of the hood ornament. Strikingly beautiful and yet simple. Plymouth also changed the design from time to time.
Cadillac
Wiki Commons via Arnaud Caillot
What historical car hood ornament or badge is this one?
Hispano Suiza
Cadillac
Lincoln
Avion Voisin
Started by Gabriel B. Voisin, Avion Voisin was founded in 1905 as an aviation manufacturer. The French company started producing cars in 1919, adorned with the "Steel Bird" hood ornament. Known for its uncompromising engineering and design, the company was nationalized after World War II and never regained its luster.
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Peugeot
What kind of French car is this, based on the badge design?
Mack Truck
Citroen
Renault
Peugeot
The Peugeot Lion has formed part of the French brand's logo and hood badges since its inception. In fact, it was used even before the company got into auto manufacturing. It first appeared on the saw blades the company produced in 1847 (symbolizing the sharp teeth) and was registered in 1858.
Wiki Commons via Joe Mabel
This car hood ornament or badge is from which car?
GAZ
Packard
Packard certainly had a variety of hood ornaments during its history. One of the designs was the Goddess of Speed, essentially an angel figure with wings facing towards the rear and outstretched arms holding a car wheel. It certainly added a certain grace to the Packards it adorned.
Dodge
Delahaye
Wiki Commons by Thomas's Pics
Can you guess which car is this?
Lobini
Mack
Jaguar
An alternative emblem to their other famous hood ornament, the Leaper, this Jaguar badge is commonly known as the Growler. A new version of the Growler, with a silver ring and a red background, is being used on the grilles of the company's vehicles.
Ford
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Wiki Commons by nemor2
The car hood ornament design gives it away - so what brand is this?
Plymouth
Auburn
The winged theme is certainly a favorite among many car manufacturers, including Auburn. The company originated in 1900 before it went bankrupt in 1937. The hood ornament on this Auburn featured a winged man with his chest out and wings sweeping backward. The figure was female in some versions.
Colani Horch
Lincoln
Wiki Commons via Jakub "Flyz1" Maciejewski
From its car hood ornament design, you'll know what this car is called.
Auburn
Chevrolet
Alfa Romeo
Pontiac
This hood ornament appeared on Pontiac vehicles in its early years and certainly into the 1950s. It was redesigned over the years, with some of them even lighting up! In 1957, the arrowhead, or dart, logo was introduced.
Wiki Commons via Spielvogel
What classic car has this cool hood ornament design?
Chevrolet
Certainly one of the most striking hood ornaments ever designed, the Jet Bird featured on the Chevrolet Bel Air in the 1950s. It's beautifully patriotic as well, although not officially a bald eagle it would seem.
Ferrari
Plymouth
Maserati
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Wiki Commons via Niels de Wit
What kind of car is this, based on its hood ornament in the image?
Packard
Susse Freres
Willys
These appeared on cars with the Willys-Knight nameplate, which ended in 1933. Willys-Overland Motors would later make the Jeep for the United States military in World War II. more than 650,000 Jeeps were made.
GAZ
Wiki Commons via CapCase
What car brand is this?
Packard
Duisenberg
Lincoln
Lincoln, the luxury division of Ford, used the leaping greyhound as a hood ornament on its vehicles from 1927 into the 1930s. It was chosen as a mascot by Edsel Ford who wanted an animal with speed, stamina, and beauty.
Pierce-Arrow
Wiki Commons via Clemens Vasters
This female image hood ornament is attached to which car?
Peugeot
Delahaye
Duisenberg
Packard
Packard likes hood ornaments - so much so, they change them often. One of its designs was the Reclining Woman, said to be the Greek nymph, Daphne.
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You Got:
/48
Wiki Commons by The Car Spy