When the Chevrolet Code 130R and True 140S (that’s the red one and the white one, respectively) were unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, a few watchful eyes took notice of the seemingly misplaced Corvette cross-flag emblems featured on the cars. This left a few people perplexed, however there is an official, and interesting, explanation.
These sporty little cars — if built (and they better be!) — are part of a new family of vehicles in the Chevrolet family. And while Corvette die-hards may be crying foul, and others may be confused, this is nothing revolutionary from the Bowtie brand.
Once upon a time, the cross-flag logo that can only be found today on the Corvette was once a common sight in the family of sporty Chevys, including the Corvair, Chevelle and Impala (which was once sporty). The emblem suggested performance, and only vehicles that carried that credential would wear it. Yes, there already happens to be RS and SS variants of vehicles from the Bowtie brand. However, the cross-flag emblem does not represent a trim level of a vehicle, but rather the vehicle itself.
The Code 130R and Tru 140S represent what could be a revival of the “passion portfolio” within Chevrolet. Hmm…Ā didn’t GM have a “passion” brand at one point? In any regard, we’re probably going to see the emblem garnish a few more Chevy concepts as the auto show season soldiers on.
If you want to get technical about it, the cross-flag emblem featured on the concepts feature merely a checkered flag and a flag with the Chevy logo. Today’s Corvette on the other hand features all of that, plus a fleur-de-lis to go with the Chevy logo on the red banner.
A fleur-de-lis (also spelled fleur-de-lys) is a stylized lily that looks like this ā. In French, lis means lily and fleur means flower or iris that is used as a decorative element. According to Wikipedia, “It may be “at one and the same time, political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic, and symbolic”, especially in heraldry.”
Notice the fleur-de-lis on the far right of the cross-flag on the steering wheel of the Chevy Corvette
Comments
I was wondering about some of the comments I’ve has older Chevys with this emblem on it especially the SS models
We have had no accidents or claims but our rates keep creeping up. We have been with the same company for over 20 years. I glad I checked “Clearance Auto” and saving atleast fifty a month.
I’m happy to see the “Flags” again on other non-Corvette Chevrolets. I hope it is a sign that Chevrolet will finally be moving to reclaim it’s full line performance heritage and to fill the serious performance void left by the death of Pontiac. As it correctly states above the Flags were affixed to almost all of Chevrolet’s top performance models. Starting with Corvette of course and then appearing on Impala in 1958, then later on the Chevy II Nova SS and Mallibu SS models in the 1960’s and were associated with all Super Sports often indicating the Engine displacemnt like “396” or “427”. Impala flags also often had the “leaping impala”. Bring back the Flags!!!
“chevy crossflag” hmm could that be the name of the passion brand it sounds awesome and fits with history. and the toned downness on the two concepts seperates it from the corvette a little haha this would be cool