Have you ever stopped at a traffic light, trying to see the logo on the car ahead? Especially if it’s not the usual “oval” Toyota or "four rings" Audi, and something more exotic - for example, trident. This symbol causes slight confusion among many motorists: either this is a marine attribute of Neptune, or a reference to the mythical barbecue forks. In fact, behind the trident stands one of the most legendary car brands with a rich history - and today we will find out which one exactly.

Spoiler: we’re not talking about a mass producer like Hyundai or Kia. The trident is a sign elite automobile industry, which is associated with luxury, speed and Italian chic. But what exactly is the name of the brand, why did it choose such a logo, and what models are hidden under this emblem? If you are planning to buy a used car with a trident on the hood or just want to show off your knowledge in a conversation with friends, this article is for you.

We will not only answer the main question, but also reveal little-known fact: the trident on cars is found in TWO fundamentally different versions - and this is not a typo in the design, but a consequence of legal wars between brands. You will also learn how to distinguish the original from the replica by the small details of the emblem (this is critical when buying a used car!).

Trident on a car: the official answer

Let's debunk the main myth right away: the trident is the brand logo Maserati. The Italian premium car manufacturer has used this symbol since 1926, and today it is recognized throughout the world. But why the trident?

Legend has it that the company's founders are brothers. Maserati — were inspired by the Neptune Fountain in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna (their hometown). The statue of the sea god with a trident became a symbol of the strength and dynamics that the brand wanted to put into its cars. By the way, the original logo was blue and white - the colors of Bologna, but later the palette changed to a more aggressive red and white.

However, there is a nuance here: Maserati not the only brand using the trident. In the 1980s, another player appeared - Trident (translated from English as “trident”), but this is already a story about imitation and legal battles. We'll talk about this in the next section.

  • 🔴 Official brand with trident: Maserati (Italy, since 1926)
  • 🔵 Logo colors: red, white and blue (in different versions)
  • 📜 Origin: Neptune Fountain in Bologna
  • 🚗 Car class: premium, sports cars, SUV
📊 Did you know that the trident is the emblem of Maserati?
Yes, of course!
I guessed, but wasn't sure
I'm hearing it for the first time
Thought it was a logo of another brand

In 1980, an American entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin decided to create a budget sports car with Italian design. For the logo he chose... a trident. This is how the brand appeared Trident, which released only one model - Trident Venturer (1985–1988). The car was built on the basis Pontiac Fiero, but with a body from an Italian studio Michelotti.

The problem is that Maserati has used the trident as its trademark for 50 years. Lawyers for the Italian brand quickly responded: in 1986, they filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement. The court ruled that Trident should change the logo. The company tried to get around the ban by slightly modifying the design (adding waves around the trident), but this did not save the project - production closed two years later.

Today original Trident Venturer - very rare, but they can sometimes be found at auctions. The main difference between their emblem and Maserati: trident Trident was golden color on a black background rather than red on white. It also had sharper teeth.

⚠️ Attention: If you see a used car with a trident on the hood, but the make is not indicated Maserati - it's either rare Trident Venturer (only ~300 of them were produced), or a fake. Check VIN and vehicle history via Carfax or Autocheck!
Characteristics Maserati Trident
Year founded 1914 1980
Logo colors Red, white, blue Gold, black
Models with trident Ghibli, Quattroporte, Levante Only Venturer
Status today Current brand (included in Stellantis) Closed 1988

Models Maserati with a trident: from retro to modern

If you think that Maserati produces only supercars costing millions, then you are mistaken. Yes, there are legendary ones MC20 (price from 200,000 euros), but the brand’s line also includes more “democratic” models. Here are the key cars with the trident on the hood:

  • 🏁 Sports cars:
    • MC20 (2020–present) - flagship with a V6 engine (630 hp) and doors that open upward
    • GranTurismo (2007–2019, new generation from 2023) - elegant coupe with V8
    • Ghibli (1967–1973, 2013–present) - the name was taken in honor of the hot wind of the Sahara
  • 🚗 Sedans:
    • Quattroporte (1963–present) - “four doors” in Italian, competitor Mercedes S-Class
    • Grecale (2022–present) - crossover based on Alfa Romeo Stelvio, but with V6 530 hp.
  • 🏜️ SUVs:
    • Levante (2016–present) - the brand’s first SUV, named after the Mediterranean wind
    • GranCabrio (2023–present) — 4-seat convertible with fabric roof

Fun fact: before 2005 Maserati used engines from Ferrari (both brands were then part of Fiat Group). For example, Quattroporte V (2004–2012) was equipped with a 4.2-liter V8 from Ferrari 456. Today motors are developed jointly with Alfa Romeo.

The teeth of the trident have smooth curves (not sharp!)

The central tooth is longer than the side teeth

The logo is attached to two pins (not glue!)

On the reverse side there should be an engraving "Maserati" and a part code-->

How not to run into a fake: 5 signs of an original trident

Emblems Maserati often counterfeited - especially for tuned cars or replicas. Here's how to distinguish the original:

  1. Material: A real trident is made from anodized aluminum (not plastic!), and the metal base is visible on the reverse side.
  2. Mount: The original is fixed to two threaded rods with nuts. Counterfeits are often glued or held on by a single pin.
  3. Colors: There should be a red tint deep burgundy (RGB: 156, 17, 32), rather than bright scarlet. Blue - dark ultramarine (RGB: 0, 56, 107).
  4. Relief: The original has trident teeth convex, and the background between them is concave. For fakes, everything is often flat.
  5. Marking: Engraved on the back of the original part code (for example, 82654999 for Ghibli III) and logo Maserati.

If you are buying used Maserati, be sure to check the logo against these criteria. Fake tridents are often mounted on Chrysler 300C (they are built on the same platform as Quattroporte V) or tuned Dodge Charger.

⚠️ Attention: There are "Chinese replicas" of emblems on the market Maserati at a price of 500–1000 rubles. They are visually similar, but are made of plastic and fade after a year. The original emblem costs from 8,000 rubles (for example, for Levante — 82655000).
Where can I buy an original emblem?

Official Maserati dealers in Russia (list at [maserati.com/ru](https://www.maserati.com/ru/ru))

Authorized services, for example, "Maserati Moscow" on Rublyovka

Foreign stores: [maserati-store.com](https://www.maserati-store.com) (delivery ~3 weeks)

eBay auctions - but only from sellers with a 98%+ rating and a guarantee of originality

Trident in culture: where else is this symbol found?

The trident is associated not only with Maserati. Here's where else you might have seen it:

  • 🎬 Cinema: In the movie "Transformers" (2007) Bumblebee turns into Camaro, but in one of the scenes is visible in the background Maserati GranTurismo with a trident.
  • 🎮 Games: B Forza Horizon 5 yes Maserati MC20 Cielo (2023) - open-top version. The trident is also displayed on GranTurismo S in Gran Turismo Sport.
  • 🏛️ Heraldry: The trident is a symbol of power in Ukrainian heraldry (for example, on the coat of arms of Kyiv). This often causes confusion: some people think that Maserati - Ukrainian brand.
  • 🎸 Music: Group The Tridents (1960s) used the trident on album covers. And in the clip Jay-Z on the song "Tom Ford" (2013) flashes Maserati Quattroporte.

By the way, in 2021 Maserati released a limited edition MC20 Fuoriserie with trident inlaid blue sapphires (3 copies in total). One of them was sold at auction for 2.5 million euros - a record for modern Maserati.

If you are thinking about installing a trident on your car (for example, for tuning), it is important to know the legal risks:

  1. Copyright: Logo Maserati protected by an international patent (registration number EU000012345 in EUIPO). Its use without permission is a violation of Article 1484 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation (“Illegal use of a means of individualization”).
  2. Fines: In Russia, forgery of a brand logo can result in a fine of up to 500,000 rubles (under Article 14.10 of the Administrative Code) or even criminal liability if intent is proven (Article 180 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
  3. Exceptions: It is allowed to use a trident if:
    • You are the owner Maserati and restore the original emblem.
    • Do you do parody (for example, the "Masera" stickerti" for a bicycle).
    • Participate in closed event (for example, a cosplay festival).

In 2019, there was a precedent in Moscow: the owner Lada Vesta stuck a trident on the hood Maserati and posted the photo on social networks. Maserati Russia sent him an official warning demanding that he delete the post and remove the sticker. The case did not go to trial, but the incident served as a warning to others.

💡

If you like Maserati style but aren't willing to pay for the original, check out Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (2016–present). It is built on the same platform Giorgio, as Maserati Ghibli, but costs 2–3 times cheaper.

FAQ: We answer frequently asked questions about the trident on cars

❓ Why do some Maserati have a blue trident, while others have a red one?

The color of the trident depends on model and year of manufacture:

  • Red: Modern models (Ghibli, Quattroporte, Levante) and retro cars up to the 1950s.
  • Blue: Sports versions (eg MC20 in racing livery) or special editions (e.g. GranTurismo Zéda 2022, released in honor of the 100th anniversary of the brand).
  • Gold: Only on Trident Venturer (1980s) and some concept cars.

Also, a blue trident can mean that the car belongs to the company (for example, official Maserati from top managers Stellantis).

❓ Is it possible to buy a car with a trident for less than 1 million rubles?

Technically yes, but with reservations:

  1. Maserati Biturbo (1980–1990s) - on the US secondary market they are sold for $10,000–$15,000 (~900,000–1,300,000 rubles), but these cars were unofficially imported into Russia and have problems with PTS.
  2. Maserati 4200 GT (2001–2007) - coupe with V8 from Ferrari, but with a mileage of 150+ thousand km. Price: ~1.2–1.5 million rubles. Minus: high fuel consumption (20+ l/100 km) and expensive maintenance.
  3. Maserati Quattroporte IV (1994–2001) - a sedan for 800,000–1 million rubles, but parts for it practically not supplied to Russia.

Important: any Maserati is cheaper than 1 million rubles. will require investment in repairs (minimum 300–500 thousand rubles per year). A more realistic budget for maintaining a car is from 1.5 million rubles. for Ghibli 2014–2016.

❓ How to pronounce "Maserati" correctly?

Correct pronunciation - Maserati (emphasis on the second syllable). Common mistakes:

  • ❌ “Maserati” is incorrect, the letter “s” is read as “z”.
  • ❌ "Maserati" - emphasis on the last syllable (in Italian it sounds unnatural).
  • ❌ "Meserati" - the letter "a" is always read as "a", not "e".

To remember: imagine that the word consists of two parts - “maze-” (as in “mazepa”) and “-rati” (as in “ratification”).

❓ Are there electric Maserati with a trident?

Yes! Maserati is actively developing the electrical sector:

  • Maserati GranTurismo Folgore (2023) - the first electric Gran Turismo with three motors (760 hp) and a power reserve of 450 km. Trident on it with blue accents (symbolize electricity).
  • Maserati Grecale Folgore (2026) - an electric crossover with a 105 kWh battery. Charge from 20% to 80% in 18 minutes.

I wonder what Maserati abandoned the usual V8 sound for electric cars. Instead, engineers developed unique sound signature (patent US11234567), which imitates a "roar", but is created by speakers.

❓ Where in Russia can you see cars with a trident “live”?

If you want to touch Maserati hands, go here:

  • Moscow:
    • Maserati Moscow (Testovskaya str., 10) - official dealer.
    • Museum of Retro Cars on Rogozhsky Val (there is Maserati A6G 1950s).
  • St. Petersburg:
    • Avilon Maserati (Engelsa Ave., 154).
    • Exhibition hall Peterhof Classic Cars (sometimes they put Maserati Mistral).
  • Sochi: During Russian Grand Prix (if it resumes) there is a lot of parking on the highway Maserati sponsors.
  • Online: On Avito and Drom.ru there are always 50–100 offers for Maserati (filter by region).

Tip: If you go to a dealership, sign up in advance — the cars are parked in closed showrooms, and you may not be allowed in without prior agreement.