Which car brands have a horse on their emblem: complete list + history of the symbol

Introduction: why the horse became a symbol of speed and power in the auto industry

The horse on the car emblem is not just a design decision, but a deep symbol rooted in history, mythology and even heraldry. This image is associated with strength, freedom and dynamism, which fits perfectly with the concept of the car as a means of transportation that embodies speed and power. But which car brands chose a horse for their logo, and what is hidden behind this choice?

If you have ever wondered when you saw a car on the road with a horse on the hood or radiator grill, then this article is for you. We will not only list all famous brands with this symbol, but also reveal the history of their occurrence, we’ll tell you about the nuances of emblem design and even tell you how to distinguish a fake from an original in small details. And you will also find out why Ferrari never uses a full-length horse in the logo - only its upper part with its head raised.

Spoiler: there are many more horses on the emblems than meets the eye! Besides the obvious Ferrari and Ford Mustang, there are also lesser-known brands that have also chosen this noble animal as their symbol. Let's sort it out in order.

1. Ferrari - the legendary “horse” from Maranello

When it comes to cars with a horse on the emblem, the first thing that comes to mind is Ferrari. And this is not surprising: the Italian brand did this black horse on a yellow background one of the most recognizable logos in the world. But where did this symbol come from, and why does it look the way it does?

History of the emblem Ferrari closely connected with the First World War. Fighter pilot Francesco Baracca, a hero of Italy, painted an image of a horse on the fuselage of his plane as a sign of respect for the cavalry regiment in which he served. After Baracca's death in 1918, his mother suggested that Enzo Ferrari use this symbol for his racing cars. So in 1923 the famous Cavallino Rampante (“rearing stallion”).

Interesting logo details:

• 🐎 Colors: The yellow background is a tribute to Enzo Ferrari's hometown, Modena, whose coat of arms is also yellow. The black horse symbolizes mourning for Baracca.
• 🇮🇹 Letters S and F: abbreviation Scuderia Ferrari (“Ferrari stable”), as well as the Italian flag at the top.
• 🔺 Shield Shape: Reminiscent of the coats of arms of knightly orders, emphasizing the aristocratic nature of the brand.

Logo Ferrari protected by law: the company strictly monitors its use. For example, even official dealers are not allowed to place the logo on products without permission from Maranello. But on used Ferraris the emblem on the dome (above the radiator) is often missing - it is removed upon sale, as it is a sign of factory ownership.

⚠️ Attention: If you see Ferrari with a horse that stands on all four legs (and not on the hind legs, as in the original), this is a 100% fake! Original Cavallino Rampante always depicted in dynamic movement.

2. Ford Mustang - American “wild horse”

Unlike the aristocratic Ferrari, Ford Mustang associated with freedom, off-road and American spirit. The emblem of this model is a stylized head of a wild horse (Mustang), which has become a symbol of a whole class of cars - pony cars.

First Mustang was introduced in 1964, and its name is no coincidence: mustangs are feral horses that roam freely across the prairies of the United States. The logo design was developed by a team led by Gail Halderman, who was inspired by sculptures of ancient Greek horses. Interestingly, the original plan was to use the image cougar, but in the end the choice fell on the Mustang.

Logo evolution Mustang:

• 🚗 1964–1973: horse in profile with emphasized muscles, “flying mane.”
• 🔄 1974–1978: more aggressive design, the horse seems to “attack.”
• 💨 1979–2009: simplified version, the horse is inscribed in a rectangle.
• ⚡ 2010–present: A return to the classic profile, but with a modern touch.

Years	Design Features	Model range
1964–1973	Outline horse with "wind in the mane", red-white-blue background	Mustang I, Mustang GT, Boss 302
1974–1978	Aggressive horse with bared teeth, black background	Mustang II, Cobra II
1979–2009	Simplified graphic version, silver horse	Fox Body, SN-95, New Edge
2010–present	3D effect, dynamic lines, chrome accents	S550, Mach-E (electric)

Today Mustang is not only a legendary muscle car, but also electric crossover Mach-E, who also wears a horse emblem. By the way, did you know that the name Mach-E refers to the speed of sound (Mach 1) and the "E" stands for electricity? This is another example of how the brand plays on associations with speed.

3. Porsche - the hidden horse in the coat of arms of Stuttgart

Many are surprised to learn that Porsche There is also a horse in the emblem! However, here it is not so obvious: the brand logo is the city’s coat of arms Stuttgart, where the company's headquarters are located. And in the coat of arms of Stuttgart it is depicted rearing horse - symbol of the ancient Duchy of Württemberg.

Legend has it that the Duke Ulrich of Württemberg in the 15th century he founded a stable on the site of modern Stuttgart (the name of the city literally translates as “hitting post”). Therefore, the horse became an integral part of the city symbols, and later - the emblem Porsche. The logo itself was designed in 1952 and has remained virtually unchanged since then.

What is shown on the emblem Porsche:

• 🏰 Central shield: coat of arms of Stuttgart with a black horse on a gold background.
• 🔴 Red and black stripes: colors of the state of Württemberg-Baden.
• 🦌 Deer antlers: symbolize the Duchy of Württemberg.
• 🔺 "Porsche" inscription: placed on top of the shield, highlighting the brand's connection to the region.

I wonder what Porsche is the only automaker whose emblem legally protected as city coat of arms. This means that the company cannot arbitrarily change the logo design without approval from the Stuttgart authorities. Also, unlike Ferrari, horse on the emblem Porsche always stands on all four legs - this is a heraldic tradition.

Why does the Porsche 911 have an emblem on the hood and not on the grille?

This is due to the design of the car: Porsche 911 The engine is located at the rear, so the front end does not have a traditional grille. The emblem is placed on the hood for better visibility and preservation of corporate identity.

4. Other brands with a horse on their emblem: from Lamborghini to little-known brands

In addition to the three most famous brands, there are other car brands that use the horse in their symbolism. Some of them have already left the market, while others remain niche players. Here's the full list:

Active brands:

• 🐂 Lamborghini: although the main symbol is the bull, on some models (for example, Lamborghini Miura) the horse was used as a tribute to the legend of the founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, who bred horses.
• 🏇 Hispano-Suiza: The Spanish luxury car brand (1904–1946, revived in 2019) used a horse in its logo as a symbol of aristocracy.
• 🚜 John Deere: yes, this is not a car, but agricultural machinery, but their green tractor with a yellow deer and a horse on some models also deserves attention!

Historical and rare brands:

• 🕊️ Pegaso (Spain, 1946–1958): logo with the winged horse Pegasus. The company produced luxury sports cars, but did not last long.
• 🏆 Bizzarrini (Italy, 1960s): The emblem featured a horse in dynamic motion, as a reference to the brand's racing successes.
• 🇫🇷 Delahaye (France, 1894–1954): The horse in the emblem symbolized the power of their trucks and racing cars.

If you are a collector of rare cars, then horse emblems can be an interesting criterion for finding unique examples. For example, Pegaso Z-102 with a winged horse today costs millions of dollars at auctions!

⚠️ Attention: On the secondary market there are often counterfeits of rare brands, such as Pegaso or Bizzarrini. The original emblems of these brands were made of metal with engraving, while the fakes are usually plastic or stickers. Always check the car's history!

5. How to distinguish an original emblem from a fake: 5 key signs

Horse emblems are among the most counterfeited in the world. Fraudsters often copy logos Ferrari, Mustang or Porscheto sell non-original spare parts or even entire cars. Here's how to avoid getting scammed:

The original emblem is always metal (aluminum, brass) or glass (in Porsche)

There should be a serial number or manufacturer's logo on the reverse side

The paint should not peel off or have smudges - the originals are coated with a protective varnish

For Ferrari: the horse must be clearly centered, without displacement

For Mustang: modern emblems have a holographic sticker on the back side-->

More details about each sign:

1. Material. Original emblems Ferrari are made from aluminum anodized, and Porsche - from glass with metal frame. Counterfeits are usually made of plastic or cheap alloy.
2. Fastening. On original emblems Mustang are used Ford logo rivets, while fakes are attached with double-sided tape.
3. Color and texture. U Ferrari the yellow background of the emblem has matte pearlescent shade, and not bright yellow, like the copies.
4. Size and proportions. For example, the original Cavallino Rampante the distance between the horse's legs is strictly regulated - 1/3 of the emblem height.
5. Documentation. When purchasing a car, check whether it has service book a note about the replacement of the emblem (if it was removed).

If you doubt the authenticity, you can use official verification services:

• 🔍 For Ferrari: service Ferrari Classiche (paid examination).
• 📋 For Ford Mustang: database Ford VIN Decoder (free by VIN code).
• 🛡️ For Porsche: program Porsche Classic (check by body number).

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The most reliable way to check the emblem is to compare it with photographs of the originals on the official websites of the brands. Pay attention to little things: for example, Ferrari the horse's tail should be slightly curved to the left.

6. Interesting facts about horses on car emblems

Let's end this article with a few little-known facts that will make you an expert on the topic:

Fact 1: Horse Ferrari looks left, not right.

This is not an accident: in heraldry, a horse turned to the left (from the viewer's point of view) symbolizes protection and defense. Enzo Ferrari chose this direction to emphasize the reliability of his cars.

Fact 2: Emblem Mustang was drawn in one evening.

Designer Gail Halderman created a logo in a few hours, inspired by Greek sculptures. For this work he received only $50 (about $450 at current exchange rates). Today the original sketch is valued at millions!

Fact 3: U Porsche there is a “secret” horse.

On some models (for example, Porsche 917) there was a horse on the emblem turned in the opposite direction - this was done for racing versions in order to “deceive” the superstitions of pilots.

Fact 4: The USSR had its own “horse” car.

We're talking about ZIL-111 - a Soviet limousine, on the radiator grill of which there was a emblem with horse (in honor of the stud farm located next to the ZIL plant). Today these emblems are rare collector's items.

Fact 5: A horse on an emblem can affect the value of a car.

For example, Ferrari 250 GTO with original emblem (not restored) may cost up to 10–15% more expensive at auctions than a copy with a replaced emblem.

Why doesn't Tesla have a horse logo?

Elon Musk deliberately abandoned animals in the logo to emphasize the innovativeness of the brand. However, in 2021, Tesla registered a trademark with the image cyber horse - a stylized horse in a futuristic design. Perhaps this will become an emblem for future models.

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

🔍 Which car with a horse on the emblem is the most expensive?

Ferrari 250 GTO 1962–1964 - the most expensive car with a horse on the emblem. In 2018, the copy was sold at a private auction for $70 million. The reason for this price is the racing history (victories in 24 Hours of Le Mans) and uniqueness (a total of 36 pieces were produced).

In second place - 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (price up to $3.5 million), and on the third - Porsche 917K (about $14 million).

🚗 Is it possible to buy an emblem with a horse separately?

Yes, but with reservations:

• Original emblems Ferrari and Porsche Sold only through official dealers or certified workshops. Price: from 500€ for Ferrari up to 200€ for Porsche.
• For Ford Mustang emblems can be found at eBay or Amazon (price from $50), but the risk of running into a fake is high.
• Emblems of rare brands (for example, Pegaso) are sold at auctions, for example, Bonhams. The price can reach $5,000+.

⚠️ Attention: Purchase and installation of an original emblem Ferrari for a non-original car can be regarded as copyright infringement (in some countries, including Italy).

🎨 Why is the horse on emblems often black?

The black color of the horse on the emblems has several explanations:

• Tradition: in heraldry the black horse symbolizes wisdom, perseverance and modesty (despite the paradox with luxury cars).
• Contrast: a black horse is better visible against a light background (yellow Ferrari, silvery Porsche).
• Historical roots: at Ferrari black color - tribute to Francesco Baracca, Porsche - a reference to the coat of arms of Stuttgart.

Exception - Ford Mustang, where the horse is usually silver or chrome-plated, which emphasizes its “wild” nature.

📜 Which brand was the first to use a horse as an emblem?

The earliest example is Delahaye (France), which used a horse in the emblem with 1894. However, this horse was not the main symbol, but part of a complex coat of arms. The first brand where the horse became central element logo, became Ferrari in 1923.

I wonder what Pegaso (1946) and Ford Mustang (1964) appeared much later, although today they are no less famous.

🔧 Is it possible to make a horse emblem for your car yourself?

Technically yes, but there are some nuances:

• Legally: use of logos Ferrari, Porsche or Mustang violates without permission copyright (even to the point of legal action).
• Practically: you can order a custom logo from a designer (for example, on Etsy), but without using protected characters.
• Alternative: some tuning shops offer stylized emblems inspired by the horse, but without direct copying (for example, Shelby for Mustang).

If you want originality, consider logos from lesser-known brands, e.g. Pegaso or Bizzarrini — their designs are unique and not so strictly protected.