Few things in the automotive industry are as iconic as Chevrolet’s logo — officially known as the Chevy Bowtie. Having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013, The Bowtie has adorned 215 million Chevrolets over the course of a century, and 60 million Chevys all over the world proudly wear the logo today.
But the story behind the iconic logo doesn’t end there: in addition to its popularity, The Bowtie has undergone quite the transformation since its inception in the early 1900s. It started out as a big bowtie with word “Chevrolet” printed inside of it, lasting that way for roughly twenty years. That original design was followed by several iterations of “wings” hoisting the Bowtie itself, and then a coat of arms akin to that of Cadillac’s in the 1950s.
From that point forward, the design direction seemed to have turned in favor of presenting The Bowtie by itself, with the latest iteration being released in 2013. This latest version, which sports a shiny silver border surrounding a textured matte-like appearance, can be seen on all Chevrolet cars, trucks, and crossovers produced and marketed in more than 140 counties worldwide.
Check out its evolution through the years:
In 1913, Chevrolet co-founder William C. Durant first introduced the signature Chevrolet bowtie. The following year, the bowtie had its first debut on the Chevrolet H-2 Royal Mail model and the H-4 Baby Grand model.
1914 Chevrolet Royal Mail Roadster
1914 Chevrolet Royal Mail Roadster
1914 Chevrolet Series H Baby Grand
1914 Chevrolet Series H Baby Grand
The Chevrolet bowtie as it appeared on all 1936 Chevrolet trucks.
1936 Chevrolet Standard Four Door Sedan
The 1947 version of the Chevrolet bowtie as it appeared on Fleetline, Fleetmaster and Stylemaster cars.
1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster
1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet bowtie as it appeared on the hood of the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, 210, 150 and Nomad models.
The Chevrolet bowtie as it appeared on the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
The Chevrolet bowtie as it appeared on the 1974 Chevrolet Impala.
1974 Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet bowtie as it appeared on the 1982 Chevrolet Blazer.
1995 Chevrolet Blazer
The Chevrolet bowtie as it appeared on 1995-2000 truck models.
1995 Chevrolet K 1500 Suburban
Beginning with the 2004 Malibu, the Chevrolet global bowtie badge was used on Chevrolet cars and trucks.
The current Chevrolet global bowtie appears on all Chevrolet cars, trucks and crossovers produced and marketed in more than 140 countries.
2014 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback
2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Evolution of The Chevy Bowtie (click to expand)
Comments
I love the bowtie emblem! All of them! In every version ! I’m not a guy that loses his lunch when the emblem changes a bit like those that did for the Cadillac emblem change!
I totally agree! I have owned Chevrolets old and new, and I love the quality and durability of them. Other vehicles are “nice”. But the Chevrolet is quality with a purpose! I still say, “Buy American Cars”!!!
I wish they would go back to blue!
… and red and black outlines for the performance models.
I sold one of those starburst pattern bowties for a 2000 CK yesterday. I held the emblem up and started singing “Like a Rock”. They always did the close-up of that emblem in those commercials.
Where you see a bowtie, others see two stripes of band aid…
I’m with Bryan, I like all of them. It is always evolving, just like the Cadillac emblem of which the current one is just fine.
Remember the commercials ” See the USA in a Chevrolet ” 🙂
Dina Shore 1961. Time to bring it out again. i
where did the name Royal Mail come from