Have you ever wondered why some cars are decorated horse icon - either rearing, or rushing at a gallop? This emblem has long become a symbol of speed, power and aristocracy, but its history is much deeper than it seems at first glance. For some owners, such a logo is pride and a sign of status, for others it is a headache when searching for original spare parts or restoring a damaged logo.

In this article we will look at all the nuancesrelated to horse emblems on cars: from their historical significance up to practical advice care You will learn which brands use this symbol today, how to distinguish a fake from the original, and what to do if the emblem has fallen off or faded. And also - Let's reveal a little-known fact about the connection between automobile horses and real racehorses of the early 20th century.

The history of the appearance of horses on car emblems

The first horse emblems appeared on cars in the early 1920s, when manufacturers were looking for ways to emphasize the dynamism and elegance of their cars. The most famous legend is associated with the brand Ferrari: Enzo Ferrari chose black horse on a yellow background after a meeting with the parents of the deceased pilot Francesco Baracca, on whose plane a similar symbol was painted. According to another version, the horse symbolized the victories of the racehorses owned by the Ferrari family.

But Ferrari was not the first. More in 1919 German company Horch (predecessor Audi) used a stylized horse in its logo, and in 1923 Italian brand Alfa Romeo added a horse to his coat of arms as a tribute to the Milanese coat of arms (it depicts serpent devouring a man, but the horse appeared later as a symbol of speed).

  • 🐎 Ferrari - black horse on a yellow background (with 1929)
  • 🏇 Porsche - a rearing horse in the coat of arms of Stuttgart (with 1952)
  • 💨 Mustang (Ford) - wild mustang as a symbol of freedom (with 1964)
  • 🏆 Lamborghini - a bull, but early prototypes featured a horse (they abandoned it in favor of a bullfighter)

It's interesting that Porsche the horse in the logo is not just a symbol of speed, but coat of arms of the city of Stuttgart, where the company's headquarters are located. The city, in turn, received its name from horse farms (Stutengarten - "stable"), founded here in X century.

📊 Which brand do you associate with the horse emblem?
Ferrari
Porsche
Ford Mustang
Other brand
I don't know

What car brands have a horse emblem today?

Now actively use a horse in the logo There are only three major automakers, but there are also niche brands that turn to this symbol. Let's look at them in more detail:

Brand Description of the emblem Where is it located? Features
Ferrari Black horse on a yellow background with the Italian flag on top Hood, wheels, steering wheel The emblem is often stolen by thieves due to the high cost of the original
Porsche Horse on hind legs in the coat of arms of Stuttgart Center hood, trunk On old models the emblem was attached with bolts, on new ones - with glue
Ford Mustang Stylized mustang in motion Radiator grille, rear On electric Mustang Mach-E the horse is made in blue color
Shelby Cobras and Horse (on some special episodes) Sides, hood Used only on tuned versions Mustang

It is important to note that Ferrari the emblem with a horse is not just a decoration, but registered trademark. The company actively pursues those who try to use its logo without permission, even when it comes to souvenirs. B 2019 Ferrari won a lawsuit against a Chinese manufacturer that produced a watch with a similar horse on the dial.

⚠️ Attention: If you are buying used Ferrari or Porsche, be sure to check the originality of the emblem. The market is full of fakes that are indistinguishable in appearance, but are made of low-quality plastic and fade after a year.

What to do if the horse emblem falls off or is damaged

Emblems on cars are attached in two ways: on double sided tape (modern models) or on bolts/rivets (retro car). If your horse icon fell off, follow the algorithm:

Make sure there is no rust or dirt at the mounting location

Treat the surface with alcohol or degreaser

For adhesive emblems, use specialized auto glue (for example, 3M VHB)

For bolted ones, check the threads and use thread locker (Loctite)

Allow the glue to dry at least 24 hours before washing-->

If the logo damaged (scratched, worn), it can be restored:

  1. Remove the emblem from the car (carefully pry it off with a plastic card if it is on adhesive).
  2. Clean off old glue and dirt using isopropyl alcohol.
  3. For metal emblems (such as on Porsche 911 classic models) use polishing paste Autosol.
  4. For plastic (modern Ferrari) will do plastic reducer type PlastX.
  5. If the paint has flaked off, you can use airbrush with auto enamel of the corresponding color.

Prices for original emblems range from 5 000 ₽ for a plastic one Ford Mustang up to 50 000 ₽ for metal on Ferrari 488. Fakes cost 3–5 times cheaper, but often fall off after a month or fade in the sun.

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Before purchasing a new emblem, check its part number with the manufacturer’s catalog. For example, for Porsche 911 (992) the original emblem has a code 95B 052 101 00.

How to distinguish an original emblem from a fake

Fake horse emblems are often sold in markets or in dubious online stores. Here 5 signs of a fake:

  • 🔍 Material quality: Original on Ferrari made of anodized aluminum, the fake is made of thin plastic.
  • 🎨 Color and coating: On the original the yellow background is matte, on the fake it is glossy and fades quickly.
  • 🔧 Mount: At the original emblem Porsche On the reverse side there is a laser engraving with the serial number.
  • 📏 Size: Counterfeits are often 1–2 mm smaller than the original (measure with a caliper).
  • 💰 Price: If the emblem is on Ferrari F8 Tributo worth it 8 000 ₽, this is definitely a fake (the original is from 35 000 ₽).

To check authenticity, you can use UV lamp: original emblems Ferrari and Porsche have special luminescent marks that glow under ultraviolet light. Also on some models (for example, Porsche 918 Spyder) the emblem has microchip, which is read during diagnostics in the official service.

⚠️ Attention: Counterfeits of emblems for Ford Mustang Mach-E, where the horse is made in blue. The original has gradient transition from blue to turquoise, and the fake is a plain paint.
How to check the emblem by VIN code?

Some dealers Porsche and Ferrari can check the originality of the emblem using the vehicle's VIN code. To do this, you need to provide a photo of the emblem from the back side and a photo of the place where it is attached to the body. Original parts have a comparison with the car's history in the manufacturer's database.

Caring for the emblem: how to maintain its original appearance

Horse emblems, especially on premium cars, require careful care. Here key rules:

  1. Washing: Never wash the emblem under high pressure (especially if it is on glue). Use a soft sponge and pH neutral shampoo.
  2. Polishing: For metal emblems (Porsche 911 classic models) use wax polish Once every 3 months.
  3. UV protection: Apply ceramic coating or special UV blocker for plastic (eg Sonax Plastic Care).
  4. Winter care: Before the cold weather, treat the emblem silicone greaseso that the glue does not lose its elasticity.

For emblems on Ferrari and Porsche absolutely cannot be used:

  • 🧴 Abrasive cleaning agents (e.g. powders or pastes with large particles).
  • 🧽 Brushes with hard bristles (they scratch the coating).
  • 🔥 Hot water (may deform the plastic or weaken the glue).

If the logo started peel off at the edges, do not try to glue it back with regular superglue. This will cause it to crack the next time it comes off. Instead use special glue for car emblems (for example, 3M Scotch-Weld), which retains elasticity and does not damage the paintwork.

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Emblems on premium cars are often the target of vandalism or theft. If you park in an unsafe area, consider installing anti-vandal emblem with hidden fastening or removable design.

From a legal point of view, no logo driving a car is not a traffic violation in Russia. However there are several important points:

  • 📜 Technical regulations: The emblem is not included in the list of mandatory design elements, so its absence is not a reason for a fine.
  • 🚔 Logo fake: If you installed a non-original emblem Ferrari or Porsche, theoretically, the manufacturer could make a claim for copyright infringement (although in practice this is unlikely for ordinary owners).
  • 💸 Insurance: Some insurance companies may doubt the authenticity of the car if the emblem does not match the model (relevant for premium cars).

B Europe and USA the situation is stricter: for example, in Germany, driving without the original emblem on Porsche may be regarded as an attempt to hide the make of the car, which amounts to minor administrative offense (fine up to 50 €).

If you buy used car with a horse emblem, be sure to check:

  1. Does the emblem correspond to the model year (for example, on Ferrari 360 Modena up to 2003 the horse was thinner than on newer models).
  2. Are there any traces of re-gluing (this may indicate an accident or vandalism).
  3. Does the serial number of the emblem (if any) match the data in the service book?

Interesting Facts You Didn't Know About Horse Emblems

For more than centuries-old history emblems with a horse have become overgrown with legends and little-known details. Here are some of them:

  • 🏁 At the first racing Ferrari the horse was turned left, like on Baracca's plane. Enzo Ferrari turned it over on the advice of the pilot's mother, who said: "Let it rush forward, not backward."
  • 🎭 Emblem Porsche with a horse and deer often becomes an object vandalism. B 2021 in Munich, an emblem was stolen from a rare Porsche 356 cost 120 000 €.
  • 🖌️ Horse design on Ford Mustang came up with Phil Clark, studio artist Ford. He was inspired by books about the Wild West and drawings of Indian totems.
  • 💎On some limited editions Ferrari (for example, LaFerrari Aperta) emblem inlaid sapphires and covered 24 karat gold.
  • 🚗 B 1960s company Shelby released a series Mustang GT350 with an emblem where the horse was replaced by cobra. This caused protests among fans of the brand, and a year later the original logo was returned.

Did you also know that the emblem Ferrari - one of the most copied in the world? According to Interpol, produced annually about 500,000 fake emblems with a black horse, of which 30% sold through online stores.

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At some auctions (for example, RM Sotheby's) original emblems from rare Ferrari and Porsche sold separately from cars at prices up to 10 000 $. Collectors buy them for restoration or as an investment.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about horse emblems on cars

Is it possible to paint a worn emblem yourself?

Yes, but only if the emblem is metal. To do this:

  1. Remove the emblem and clean off the old paint.
  2. Use car enamel in a can (for example, Motip or Duplicolor).
  3. Apply 2-3 thin coats, letting dry in between.
  4. Coat with varnish to protect against fading.

For plastic emblems (e.g. on Ford Mustang) it’s better to buy a new one - the paint doesn’t stick well to the plastic.

What to do if the emblem falls off along with the paint?

This means that moisture has accumulated under the emblem and corrosion has begun. Proceed like this:

  1. Strip the rust down to bare metal (use rust converter type WD-40 Specialist).
  2. Apply primer and paint the mounting area in body color.
  3. Glue the emblem on adhesive sealant (for example, SikaFlex).

If the rust is deep, it is better to contact a body shop.

Where can I order an original emblem with a horse?

Original emblems are sold:

  • 🏢 In official dealership centers (Ferrari, Porsche, Ford).
  • 🌍 On manufacturers’ websites (for example, Ferrari Store).
  • 🛒 In specialized spare parts stores (for example, Ebay Motors, Pelican Parts for Porsche).

Delivery time for the original emblem can reach 2–3 months, especially for rare models.

Is it possible to put a horse emblem on any car?

Legally, yes, but:

  • If you put a logo Ferrari on Lada, it will look at a minimum strange, and at a maximum it may mislead other road users (although there is no fine for this).
  • Manufacturers of premium brands can sue for copyright infringement if you use their logo for commercial purposes (such as taxis).
How to protect the emblem from vandals?

Methods of protection:

  • 🔒 Install anti-vandal emblem with hidden mount (sold for Porsche and Ferrari).
  • 📹 Park in guarded parking lots or under video surveillance.
  • 🛡️ Stick it transparent protective film (for example, 3M Scotchgard) on top of the logo.
  • 🚨 Use alarm with tilt sensor — it will work if someone tries to pick out the emblem.