“Trident” emblem on a car: 5 brands that use it, and how not to confuse it with a fake

Have you ever noticed a car with an emblem like trident and wondered what brand this is? This symbol, reminiscent of Neptune's fork or a stylized letter, is less common on cars than the usual "four rings" or "horse head", but has a rich history. In this article we will look at which brands use the trident in their logo, what it means, and why these cars often become the object of attention on the roads.

It’s worth clarifying right away: trident - not a universal sign for one brand. It is used by several manufacturers, from different countries and eras. For example, Soviet ZAZ and Italian Maserati have tridents in their logos, but their stories and target audience are radically different. We will also touch on the topic of fakes - after all, some owners install such emblems on cars that originally did not have them in order to give the car a “noble” look.

If you are planning to buy a car with such an emblem or simply want to understand the automotive industry, this article will help you avoid common mistakes. For example, did you know that the trident on ZAZ-968 and a trident on Maserati Quattroporte have different origins? Or that some Chinese brands copy this symbol for their models? The answers are below.

1. Soviet trident: ZAZ emblem and its history

Let's start with the most famous trident in the post-Soviet space - the logo Zaporozhye Automobile Plant (ZAZ). This emblem adorned the legendary “humpbacks” ZAZ-965 and their successors up to ZAZ-1102 "Tavria". The trident here symbolized three main areas of activity of the plant: production of cars, motorcycles and agricultural machinery.

Interestingly, the design of the emblem has changed over time. For example, on early models the trident was more “aggressive”, with pointed ends, but on Tavria it became rounded and stylized as the letter “Z”. Today, original Cossacks with their original emblem are a rarity, and they are often restored by enthusiasts. However, be careful: there are many fakes on the market where the trident is applied to cars of other brands (for example, VAZ-2101) to create a “retro look”.

• 🔧 ZAZ-965 “Zaporozhets” (1960–1969) - the first production car with a trident, nicknamed “humpback” for its body shape.
• 🚗 ZAZ-968 (1971–1994) - a more modern version with a V-engine.
• 🏁 ZAZ-1102 "Tavria" (1987–2007) - the last mass model with a trident, produced in independent Ukraine.

⚠️ Attention: Often found on the secondary market ZAZ with replaced emblems. Check the VIN code and documentation so as not to buy a car with a “re-painted” history. This is especially true for Tavriy, which are sometimes passed off as earlier models.

2. Italian luxury: Maserati and its trident

If the Soviet trident is associated with simplicity and reliability, then the Italian Maserati is a symbol of speed and luxury. Brand logo representing Neptune's trident, was inspired by the fountain in the square of Bologna, the company’s hometown. The founders, the Maserati brothers, chose this symbol as a tribute to the mythological patron of sailors, emphasizing the dynamism of their cars.

Today the trident Maserati adorns models such as Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante. It is easy to distinguish it from its Soviet counterpart: the Italian version is more elegant, with wavy lines reminiscent of sea waves, and is often made in chrome or blue. By the way, on some older models (for example, Maserati A6 1940s) the trident was red - it is a collector's rarity.

Model Maserati	Years of production	Features of the trident
Maserati A6	1946–1956	Red trident on a black background, round icon
Maserati Quattroporte III	1979–1990	Chrome trident with blue trim
Maserati Ghibli (modern)	2013–present time	3D effect, blue background, backlight on some versions

3. Ukrainian realities: “Bogdan” and other modern tridents

After the collapse of the USSR, the trident as a symbol continued to live in the Ukrainian automobile industry. The most famous example is Bogdan (a brand of Bogdan Motors), which used a stylized trident on some models, e.g. Bogdan 2110 (refaced VAZ-2110). Here the trident no longer had a historical connection with ZAZ, but was part of the branding, emphasizing its Ukrainian origin.

However, since the 2010s Bogdan practically stopped producing passenger cars, concentrating on buses and commercial vehicles. Today, the trident on Ukrainian cars can only be found on rare copies or on the products of small studios that do tuning. For example, some workshops apply a trident to Geely or Cheryto give them a “local flavor”.

Why didn't Bogdan survive on the market?

The main reasons are low build quality, dependence on Russian components (until 2014) and uncompetitive prices. The last attempt to produce passenger cars - Bogdan JAC S5 (2018) - also failed due to weak demand.

• 🚐 Bogdan 2111 - Ukrainian version VAZ-2111 with a trident on the grate.
• 🚌 Bogdan A144 - a minibus where the trident was applied to the side doors.
• 🔧 Tuning projects - some workshops install tridents on Chinese crossovers, for example, Haval H6.

4. Counterfeits and tuning: how not to run into a fake

The trident emblem is a popular object for tuning and fakes. Unscrupulous sellers or owners often put it on cars that didn’t have it in the first place in order to:

• 💰 Increase cost (for example, issuing VAZ-2107 for the “restored ZAZ”).
• 🎨 Create a unique image (trident on Toyota Corolla in retro-fusion style).
• 🚔 Hide origin (on cars with a criminal record).

How to distinguish an original from a fake?

Fastening with rivets (on ZAZ) or branded bolts (on Maserati)|Coincidence of color and material with original catalogues|Presence of factory markings on the reverse side|No traces of glue or double-sided tape-->

Emblems are especially often counterfeited. Maserati. For example, on Alfa Romeo or Lancia You can find tridents that are visually similar, but have different proportions. To avoid being scammed, check with official Maserati website, where all logo options by year are listed.

⚠️ Attention: If you buy ZAZ or Maserati by hand, be sure to check VIN code through services like VIN.History. Fake emblems are often accompanied by “interrupted” body or engine numbers.

5. Trident in culture: from cinema to subcultures

The trident emblem has become not only a brand symbol, but also cultural phenomenon. For example:

• 🎬 In the film “Brother-2” (2000), the main character rides a ZAZ-968 with a trident - this became one of the symbols of post-Soviet nostalgia.
• 🎸 The group “Spleen” mentions “Zaporozhets” in the song “Life Line”, where the trident is associated with youth and freedom.
• 🎮 In the game Forza Horizon 5 yes Maserati MC12 with a trident is one of the most desirable cars for collectors.

In addition, the trident became a popular motif in autotuning. For example, some owners VAZ-2106 install tridents from ZAZ within the framework of the “rat look” style, and fans Maserati order luminous emblems with LED backlighting. In Ukraine, there are even clubs for owners of cars with a trident, which organize rides and exhibitions.

6. Legal nuances: is it possible to drive with someone else’s trident?

Installing a trident emblem on a car that originally did not have one, not prohibited by law, but may raise questions from traffic police officers. For example, if you stick a trident Maserati on Lada Vesta, the inspector has the right to check the documents for re-equipment. In some cases this may be regarded as misrepresentation (Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation), especially if the emblem is used to hide the real make of the car.

In Ukraine the situation is similar: according to Law “On Road Rules”, changes in the appearance of the vehicle (including emblems) must be registered in the registration certificate. If the trident is installed without making changes to the documents, this may result in a fine or problems when selling the car.

What to do if you want to legally install a trident?

1. Obtain permission for conversion from the traffic police (or equivalent in your country).
2. Make changes to PTS/STS.
3. Keep the receipts for purchasing the emblem (in case of an audit).

⚠️ Attention: If you buy a car with a custom emblem, make sure the changes are recorded. Otherwise, you will have to either return the original logo or design everything again - and this is an additional waste of time and money.

7. How to care for the trident emblem: tips from experts

The emblem on a car is the “face” of the car, and the trident is no exception. To make it look presentable:

• 🧼 Wash regularly soft sponge with car shampoo (for example, Karcher or Sonax). Avoid abrasives!
• 🛡️ Apply a protective coating (for example, Ceramic Pro or wax Turtle Wax) to prevent corrosion.
• 🔧 Check the fastenings once every six months. On ZAZ tridents are often fastened with rivets, which become loose over time.

For chrome plated tridents (as shown on Maserati) use special polishes for metal, for example, Autoglym Metal Polish. If the emblem is worn out, it can be restored in chrome plating workshops or order a replica from official dealers. For example, the original trident for Maserati Ghibli costs about 15,000 rubles, and an analogue - from 3,000 rubles.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cars with the trident emblem

❓ Is it possible to put a Maserati trident on your car?

Technically yes, but this may raise questions from the traffic police, especially if your car looks like Maserati (for example, Alfa Romeo or Lancia). It is better to use stylized remarks without branding to avoid accusations of plagiarism.

❓ How much does the original trident for ZAZ-968 cost?

The price depends on the condition: used emblems cost 500–1,500 rubles at salvage yards, new replicas cost 2,000–4,000 rubles. Original spare parts from the factory (if you find them) can cost up to 10,000 rubles.

❓ Why do some Maserati have a blue trident?

The blue color is associated with Bologna (the brand’s hometown) and a maritime theme. Modern models often use blue trident lighting, which turns on when the doors are opened.

❓ Is it possible to drive around Europe in a ZAZ with a trident?

Yes, but keep in mind that in some countries (eg Germany) cars over 30 years old must meet emission standards. Additional documents may also be required for vintage cars.

❓ Where can I order a custom trident for tuning?

Popular options:

• 🛒 eBay - a lot of cues for Maserati and ZAZ.
• 🛠️ Local tuning studios (for example, Carlex Design in Poland).
• 🖥️ 3D printing - you can order a unique design at Thingiverse.