The horse emblem is one of the most recognizable in the automotive world. It is associated with power, speed and freedom, but not everyone knows Which car brands use a horse in their logo?. Most often, this symbol is associated with Ferrari or Ford Mustang, however, in fact, the horse appears on the badges of at least five automakers - and each of them has its own story about the origin of this symbol.
In this article we will not only list all brands with a horse on the emblem, but also reveal hidden details of their logos, which help to distinguish the original from the fake. For example, did you know that Ferrari Is the horse on the emblem with its tail raised only on racing models? Or what Porsche once used a horse logo, but later abandoned it? If not, read on to avoid falling for scammers’ tricks when buying a used car with a “horse” emblem.
1. Ferrari: the legendary "horse" from Modena
The most famous horse emblem belongs to the Italian brand Ferrari. Black horse on a yellow background (the colors of the founder’s hometown, Modena) appeared on the company’s cars in 1929, but its history goes back to the First World War. According to legend, fighter pilot Francesco Baracca, who shot down 34 enemy aircraft, painted the image of a horse on the fuselage of his aircraft as a sign of respect to the squadron based in Ferrara. After Baracca's death, his mother gave the emblem to Enzo Ferrari with the wish: "May it bring you good luck."
Today logo Ferrari is protected by many patents, and any distortion of it may be grounds for legal action. The original emblem has several key details:
- 🐎 The horse stands on one hind leg (unlike fakes, which often show all four hooves on the ground).
- 🟡 Background strictly yellow (Pantone 109 C), no orange tints.
- 🇮🇹 At the top of the shield there are Italian national colors (green-white-red).
- 🔠 Letters
SandF(Scuderia Ferrari) completed in capitals, sans serif.
⚠️ Attention: Fake emblems often lack the small crown above the horse's head - it was added in the 1980s as a tribute to victories in Formula 1. If you see an emblem without a crown on a car younger than 1985, it is 100% replica.
2. Ford Mustang: American "wild horse"
Unlike Ferrari, where the horse symbolizes aristocracy and racing traditions, Ford Mustang uses image wild horse as the personification of freedom and boundless American roads. The logo in the form of a galloping mustang appeared in 1964 along with the debut of the model and has since become iconic. It’s interesting that the designers initially proposed using cougar (cougar), but the management settled on the mustang as a more “American” symbol.
Distinctive features of the logo Mustang:
- 🐴The horse is depicted in profile, with mane and tail fluttering in the wind.
- 🔴 Three stripes on the body (red, white, blue) symbolize american flag.
- 🚗 On early models (1964–1966) the horse was silver, later it was made black.
Fun fact: in 2010 Ford filed a lawsuit against the company Saleen, which released the model Saleen Mustang with a modified emblem. The court found that even minor changes to the logo (for example, adding wings to a horse) violate the rights Ford.
If you are buying used Mustang before 1974, check the emblem on the bumper - it was attached to the original cars three rivets, not glue.
3. Porsche: the forgotten horse from Stuttgart
Few people know, but Porsche also once used a horse in his logo. In 1952–1954, the brand’s cars featured an emblem with rearing horse - this was the coat of arms of the city of Stuttgart, where the company's headquarters are located. However, later the brand switched to the famous “deer” (coat of arms of Württemberg), and the horse remained only on the emblem Porsche Diesel - a tractor division that existed until 1963.
Today the original emblems with a horse from Porsche - are very rare, and can only be found on:
- 🚜 Tractors Porsche Diesel (models
Junior,Standard,Super). - 🏎️ Racing prototypes Porsche 550 Spyder (1953–1956), where the horse was sometimes painted on the doors by hand.
⚠️ Attention: “Replicas” of tractors are often found on the market. Porsche Diesel with fake logos. They must have the original horse silver, and not gold, and be located left from the inscription DIESEL.
4. Lamborghini: bull vs horse - why not a horse?
Although Lamborghini associated with bulls (the brand logo is a golden bull on a black background); in the history of the company there was an episode associated with a horse. In 1963, Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of the brand, presented a prototype Lamborghini 350 GTV with an emblem depicting white horse on a red background. This was a direct attack on Enzo Ferrari: Lamborghini wanted to show that his cars would not yield Ferrari in speed.
However, a year later the logo was changed to a bull - for two reasons:
- Ferruccio was a fan of bullfighting and decided that a bull would better reflect aggressive character his car.
- Lawyers have warned that the horse emblem could lead to legal proceedings against Ferrari.
Today the original emblems with a horse from Lamborghini - one of the most expensive collectible rarities. In 2019 at auction RM Sotheby’s this sign was sold for €18 000.
Where can you see the “forbidden” Lamborghini horse logo?
The white horse emblem was preserved only on a few prototypes 350 GTV, one of which is kept in the museum Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese (Italy). It can also be seen in early drawings and in archival photographs of the plant.
5. Other stamps with a horse: from Chinese to Soviet
In addition to giants like Ferrari and Ford, the horse on the emblem is also used by lesser-known brands. Here's the full list:
| Brand | Model/period | Features of the emblem | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hongqi | CA770 (1965–1981) | Horse in a crown over a red flag (symbol of revolution) | China |
| ZAZ | ZAZ-968 (1971–1994) | Stylized horse on shield (export versions only) | USSR/Ukraine |
| Pegaso | Z-102 (1951–1958) | Winged horse (Pegasus) on a blue background | Spain |
| Saleen | Mustang S281 (2000–2007) | Horse with wings (dispute with Ford because of the similarities) | USA |
The Chinese brand stands apart Hongqi ("Red Banner"). On its emblem the horse symbolizes revolutionary spirit, not speed or luxury. Interestingly, on modern models Hongqi (for example, H9) the horse was replaced with a stylized sun, but on retro cars of the 1960s–1980s the horse emblem remains.
6. How to distinguish an original emblem from a fake: checklist
Fake horse emblems are a common problem when buying a used premium car. Fraudsters copy logos Ferrari or Mustangto pass off an ordinary car as a rare model. Here 5 signs of a fake:
☑️ Checking the horse emblem
If you are in doubt about authenticity, ask the seller certificate of originality (Certificate of Authenticity). For Ferrari you can check it on the website ferrari.com by VIN code, for Ford Mustang - through the database Martiauto.
The most reliable way to check the emblem is to compare it with photographs of the original signs on the official websites of manufacturers or in spare parts catalogs (EPC).
7. Legal nuances: is it possible to drive with a non-original emblem?
In Russia and the EAEU countries, the use of non-original emblems not prohibited by law, but there are nuances:
- 📜 If the emblem completely copies the brand logo (for example, Ferrari), this may be regarded as a violation of copyright (Article 146 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
- 🚓 Cars with a fake premium brand logo are more often stopped to check documents.
- 💰 In case of an accident, the insurance company may reduce the payment if the examination reveals non-original parts (including emblems).
In Europe and the USA the rules are stricter: for example, in Germany for a fake emblem Porsche or Mercedes you can get a fine up to €5 000. In the USA Ford actively pursues those who use the logo Mustang on unlicensed goods.
⚠️ Attention: If you buy a car with an emblem Ferrari or Lamborghini at a price below the market price, check it through the stolen car database (avinfo.ruorinterpol.int). Fraudsters often counterfeit emblems on stolen cars to disguise their origin.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cars with a horse on the emblem
Why does Ferrari have a horse on its emblem with its tail raised only on racing models?
This is a tribute to tradition: Enzo Ferrari believed that a horse with a raised tail brings good luck in racing. On production models, the tail is lowered to emphasize their "civilian" character. The exception is special series, for example, Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2 (2019), where the horse is depicted in a “racing” pose.
Is it possible to legally buy a Ferrari emblem and put it on your car?
Technically yes, but only if it original spare part (for example, purchased in an official store Ferrari or from a certified dealer). However, the use of such an emblem on a machine other than Ferrari, can lead to problems with the law (Article 146 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Copyright Violation”). In Europe, this can result in a fine of up to €10 000.
Which car with a horse on its emblem is the cheapest?
Among the production models - this is the Soviet ZAZ-968 (1971–1994) with export emblem (horse on a shield). On the secondary market, such cars cost from 80,000 to 150,000 rubles. among modern ones - Chinese Hongqi HS5 (from 2019), where a horse is depicted on the radiator grille (price from 2.5 million rubles).
Is it true that the Mustang badge has changed depending on the generation?
Yes. For example:
- 1st generation (1964–1973): silver horse, without stripes on the body.
- 2nd generation (1974–1978): the horse is black, red/white/blue stripes appeared.
- 5th generation (2005–2014): the horse became more muscular, chrome accents were added.
On Mustang Mach-E (electric crossover) the emblem is stylized as a digital design - the horse is made in the form glowing lines.
What does the horse mean on the emblem of Porsche Diesel tractors?
This is a direct reference to the coat of arms of Stuttgart, the city where the headquarters were located Porsche. The horse on the tractor emblem stands on its hind legs, which symbolizes power and performance technology. Interestingly, on some models (for example, Porsche AP18) the horse was depicted with a plow in its hooves - as a sign of agricultural purpose.