Cars with a horse on the emblem: a complete guide to brands, history and hidden meanings

The horse on the car emblem is not just a design decision, but a symbol of speed, power and freedom. Such logos instantly attract attention and are associated with premium, sports or legendary brands. But which brands use the horse in their symbolism? And what is hidden behind these images - mythology, history or a marketing ploy?

In this article we will look at 10 car brands with a horse on the emblem, from the cult Ferrari and Mustang to little-known manufacturers. You will learn how to recognize the authenticity of a logo, which models are worth considering when buying used, and why some “horse” cars lose value faster than others. And also - the only time in history when a horse on the emblem saved a company from bankruptcy.

1. Ferrari: why a horse on a yellow background became a symbol of luxury

Emblem Ferrari - the most recognizable “horse” marking in the world. The black horse on a yellow background (the colors of Enzo Ferrari's hometown of Modena) appeared in 1923, but its history goes back to the First World War. Pilot Francesco Baracca, who was shot down in action, had a similar symbol on his plane - his mother gave Enzo a good luck charm.

Fun fact: the original logo included the letters S F (Scuderia Ferrari), but after the company came under control Fiat they were removed in 1969. Today, the emblem without letters is used on road cars, and with letters on racing cars. Formula 1.

• 🏁 Where to look for authenticity: On the original details, the horse always has a raised tail and an open mouth. On fakes the tail is often lowered.
• 💰 The cheapest Ferrari with a horse: Ferrari Mondial (1980–1993) - prices from 50,000 €, but repairs cost 2–3 times more than the car itself.
• ⚡ Speed record: Ferrari SF90 Stradale (2019) accelerates to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds - faster than many supercars without a hybrid system.

⚠️ Attention: When buying used Ferrari check the service book for the presence of official dealer stamps. Without it, the cost of the car drops by 30–40%, and the risk of hidden problems grows exponentially.

2. Ford Mustang: The Wild Horse That Changed America

Emblem Ford Mustang - this is not just a horse, but galloping mustang, a symbol of freedom and off-road. Debuting in 1964, the model became the first “pony car” - an affordable sports car for the middle class. The logo was developed by 3 designers, and the version with a jumping horse, inspired by the sculpture at the entrance to the museum, won Detroit Institute of Arts.

Today Mustang - the only “surviving” representative of the pony car class. Its direct competitors (Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger) are either discontinued or turned into retro models. But Mustang evolves: in 2026 a fully electric version was released Mustang Mach-E, although purists do not recognize it.

Generation	Years of production	The rarest modification	Average used price (2026)
1st	1964–1973	Shelby GT500 (1967) — 2042 copies	from $150,000
3rd	1979–1993	SVO (1984–1986) — 2.3L turbo engine	from $30,000
6th	2015–2023	Shelby GT350R - without rear seats	from $80,000

3. Porsche: the mystery of the horse on the coat of arms of Stuttgart

Many people mistakenly think that the horse is on the emblem Porsche is the symbol of the company itself. Actually it's coat of arms of the city of Stuttgart, where the brand's headquarters are located. Legend has it that the city was founded by Duke Liudolf in 950 while hunting - his horse reared up on the site of the future settlement.

The emblem itself Porsche appeared in 1952 and includes not only a horse, but also antlers (the symbol of Württemberg), as well as red and black stripes - the colors of the state of Baden-Württemberg. Interestingly, on early models (for example, Porsche 356) the logo was applied manually, and often the horse looked “crooked”. Today such specimens are prized by collectors.

• 🔍 How to distinguish the original: On fakes, the horse often “looks” to the left, and not to the right, as on the original.
• 💎 The most expensive Porsche with a horse: Porsche 917K (1970) - sold for $14.1 million at auction Gooding & Company.
• ⚠️ What to check when purchasing: Models from the 1980s–1990s often have oil seals that leak (repair costs start at $3,000).

4. Lamborghini: bull vs horse - why Miura was an exception

Logo Lamborghini is associated with a bull, but there is one model where a horse appears - the legendary Miura (1966–1973). The name translates to "bull breeder", but the emblem on the hood depicts rearing horse - a tribute to the founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, who was involved in horse breeding in his youth.

Miura became the first supercar with a central engine and set the trend for decades to come. Interestingly, the prototype of the model was created secretly from Ferruccio - engineers worked on it at night. When the boss saw the result, he exclaimed: “This will be our new car!” - and gave the go-ahead for production.

⚠️ Attention: Upon purchase Lamborghini Miura pay attention to the body number. Models with numbers from 3000 to 4800 are the most reliable (late releases with childhood diseases eliminated).

Why did Ferruccio Lamborghini hate Enzo Ferrari?

Ferruccio Lamborghini was initially a Ferrari client, but after another clutch failure on his 250 GT came to Enzo with a complaint. He replied: “You are a tractor driver, what do you know about sports cars?” In response, Lamborghini founded his own company and released 350 GT - direct competition from Ferrari.

5. Pegasus on the emblem: little-known brands with a winged horse

Not everyone knows, but the winged horse Pegasus is also used in the auto industry. The most striking examples:

1. Pegaso (Spain, 1946–1958) - luxury cars with aircraft engines. Logo - Pegasus on a red background. Today original Pegaso Z-102 cost from $1.5 million.
2. Maserati (some models) - on the emblem Maserati Mistral (1963–1970) featured Pegasus, although the main logo of the brand is Neptune's trident.
3. Studebaker (USA) - in the 1950s, Pegasus was emblazoned on the radiator grille of some models, symbolizing “flight forward.”

These stamps are rare today, but their emblems are highly prized by collectors. For example, the icon Pegaso at auctions it is sold separately from the car - for $2,000–$5,000.

6. Chinese and Korean brands: the horse as a symbol of ambition

In Asia, a horse on an emblem often symbolizes the desire for leadership. Examples:

• 🏇 BYD (China) - on the logo BYD F0 (2008–2015) featured a stylized horse, although the brand has now switched to an abstract design.
• 🐎 SsangYong Korando (Korea) - the model name translates as “Korean Mustang”, and in early versions of the logo there was a horse.
• 💨 Haval (sub brand Great Wall) - some concept cars used the image of a galloping horse as a symbol of dynamics.

These brands are less prestigious than European ones, but their models often offer better price/quality ratio. For example, Haval H6 with a “horse” emblem on the radiator grill in 2026 costs from $25,000 - cheaper Toyota RAV4 with similar characteristics.

7. How to choose a car with a horse on the emblem: 5 criteria

If you decide to buy a car with a “horse” logo, pay attention to:

1. Maintenance budget: Ferrari or Lamborghini cost 5–10 times more to maintain than Mustang.
2. Reliability: The most problematic - Porsche 928 (electronics) and Ferrari 348 (engine).
3. Rarity: Limited edition models (eg. Ford Mustang Boss 302) are growing in price by 15–20% per year.
4. Legal nuances: In some countries (eg Singapore) Ferrari impose additional taxes as a “symbol of luxury.”
5. Liquidity: Porsche 911 sells 2 times faster than Maserati GranTurismo, at a similar price.

8. Myths and misconceptions about “horse” cars

There are many myths associated with cars that have a horse on their emblem. Let's look at the most popular:

• 🚗 "All Ferraris are red" - actually Rosso Corsa was mandatory for racing cars in the 1920s to 1960s, but road models were available in any color. Today only 30% Ferrari red.
• 💨 "Mustang is a muscle car" - no, muscle cars (Dodge Charger, Chevelle SS) had large engines and rear-wheel drive, and Mustang was originally positioned as a compact sports car.
• 🐴 “The Pegasus on the emblem is a sign of premiumness” - not always. For example, Pegaso went bankrupt due to low demand, and their cars today are more like antiques than status transport.

Another misconception: “Porsche “These are only sports cars.” In fact, Porsche Diesel (1950–1960s) produced tractors, and in the 1980s the brand even developed bicycles with a horse logo!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cars with a horse on the emblem

❓ Why is Ferrari's horse black and not red?

Black color of the horse on the emblem Ferrari - a tribute to the pilot Francesco Baracca, whose plane was painted black (mourning for his fallen comrades). The red background was added later as a symbol of Modena.

❓ What is the cheapest car with a horse on the emblem?

Among the new ones - Ford Mustang EcoBoost (from $30,000). On the secondary market - SsangYong Korando (2010–2015) with a horse logo on the grille (from $8,000).

❓ Is it possible to legally put a Ferrari emblem on another car?

No, this violates trademark rights. Ferrari actively pursues such cases through the courts. Fines reach up to €50,000 + car confiscation.

❓ Why doesn’t Porsche have its own horse - only the coat of arms of Stuttgart?

Ferdinand Porsche chose the city's coat of arms as a symbol of his affection for the region. In addition, the horse on the Stuttgart coat of arms is a historical symbol protected by heraldry law.

❓ Which car with a horse on the emblem is the fastest in 2026?

Ferrari SF90 Stradale (max. speed 340 km/h) and Porsche 911 GT2 RS (340 km/h). But if you consider electric cars - Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400 (prototype) accelerates to 100 km/h in 1.5 seconds!