Why Some Chevy Bow Ties Are Gold While Others Are Black: Mailbag
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The Chevy bow tie is an iconic emblem with a rich history that runs deep. Over the past few months, GM Authority readers have been writing in asking whether there is any difference between vehicles wearing the black version of the logo as opposed to the traditional golden one, so we decided to provide an explanation of what distinguishes models with this eye-catching feature.
Off the bat, the black bow tie has no specific significance behind it. It is purely an aesthetic choice, with most Chevy models able to be optioned with either the “regular” gold bow tie or the newer black one.
With most Chevy models offering it as an option, the black bow tie is proving to be quite popular. In a recent GM Authority poll, roughly 64 percent of readers said they preferred the black version of the bow tie while around 34 percent would choose the gold version.
The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro was the first Chevy model in North America to offer the black bow tie (without the Chevrolet name). In 2017, the Chevy Bolt EV began offering an optional black bow tie. Later, Chevy began offering the black bow tie on the Blazer and Silverado.
The 2022 Chevy Bolt EV and EUV became the first-ever Chevy models to feature the black bow tie standard, as GM Authority was first to report. In fact, gold won’t be an option for either of the two electric vehicles.
That introduction of the black bow tie represents a trend within the auto industry that sees automakers moving toward monochromatic (black, white, gray) badging and vehicle accents. Several GM brands are early adopters of this trend, including Cadillac and GMC. Cadillac is now offering monochromatic emblems on most of its vehicles, and the upcoming Cadillac Lyriq – Cadillac’s first-ever electric vehicle – will feature a black-and-white light-up logo.
Meanwhile, GMC offers a black version of its badge. Interestingly, Buick bucks the monochromatic direction, having recently added colors to its Tri Shield badge.
Back to Chevy: black and gold aren’t the only options for the legendary bow tie, as blue and gold bow ties have periodically appeared on select models. Blue bow ties have graced everything from Bel Airs to Camaros. Then, the 2018 Chevy Silverado Centennial celebrated the brand’s 100th anniversary with a blue emblem.
Perhaps the most eye-catching bow tie is the illuminated version. Affectionately known as the glow tie, this emblem is available as an official Chevrolet accessory. Like all official GM accessories, the glow tie was thoroughly tested and verified to withstand temperatures from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 158 degrees Fahrenheit.
The immediately recognizable bow tie has appeared on 215 million Chevrolet vehicles over the last century. As a result, the emblem is one of the most easily recognized on earth. Moreover, it’s a symbol of American ingenuity in any color.
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This article is part of the GM Authority Mailbag series, where we feature and reply to your questions, comments, and observations. Have a question? Ask us here.
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I like the original bow tie better.
Remember: “Beware the Red Bow Tie” shirts and bumper stickers?
Según tengo conocimiento la pajarita negra no es más que un protector ,si usted retira ese cover negro veras la pajarita dorada y si no lo creen haganlo y verán que es así ,tengo un chevrolet traverse y lo es comprobado
my 88 silverado had a black outlined in red bowtie
They order the black bow tie because it’s a $195 option. Big profit margin
I’d like to see GM bring back the blue for the electric vehicles.
They also made a blue bow years ago for the Caviler, I have one, they were manufactured at a Plastic plant supplier in Windsor Ontario Canada.
My opinion the bow should be black about 1/4 It’s size and placed on the wright side at the top of the grill.
*right
Yeah, had a Volt…
Massive badging. Rather unesthestic, down right ugly..
To bad they didn’t honor their warranty as well as making their cars rolling billboards.
I just take a bow tie with a great car behind it. Just have to wait till they get Chips…
How’z about a big horse power with gears to go behind any color badge you want. I’ll take mine fast…
I will always love the gold. It was on my first vehicle, ’88 Suburban and it’s on my Avalanche. It’s classic and stands out. The black gets lost in color matching grills.
The one thing I hate is how quickly the color gold starts to deteriorate. Why would GM allow this? All I would ever hear is: “They don’t even make it, it’s made in India.” Well then, quit it! Make it back in the good old U.S.A. Plus, 165 bucks for the “Front Black bowtie option?” Come on!
I’d love to see the profit made on a logo simply because it’s a color choice. If it is to be an identifying trademark it should simple come at no extra cost to the consumer or even better yet, give them an option to NOT have a Bowtie put on in the first place. A “Bowtie delete”.
What, no mention of the Flowtie?
The average Chevrolet buyer doesn’t give a hang nail about the color of the Chevrolet badge.
Maybe gold is for normal use and the other is reserved for black tie events.
The black emblem is listed as a dealer installed option for my 2017 Bolt at ridiculous price. I’ll stick with the default emblem. If the factory installed badge starts to look seedy, I can paint it black myself. Let me guess: for the 2022 Bolt and Bolt EUV, “Classic Gold,” is a dealer installed option at an even more ridiculous price.
My ’94 Cavalier had a black bowtie from the factory.. I’m not sure why there are are a few articles saying this is new.
I kind of wish Chevy would come up with a new emblem. On the other hand, the redesign of the old GM in the blue square logo to the new look doesn’t bode well for a good looking result if Chevy were to update the emblem.
My is emerald green color of truck Sunday money 👍
My ZR2 came with gold and I plastic dipped them black. You can’t tell the difference between it and the dealer black bow tie upgrade. It saved me a good amount of money.