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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Personally I liked the blue ones .what ever happened to the blue
Black with a yellow lightning bolt for ev.
WhT I thought was bad were al,the years of the bow ties that would get damaged by a rock or just go to hell due to poor quality.
The last thing you want to look like crap on your spear is the symbols that represents it.
I can recall broken blue and broken and stained gold now ties.
The ones on the back of many CUV models w3nt bad due to window washer fluid leaking under the clear lens
I like they are giving options. I like the black and miss the red outlined.
The real reason the black bowtie exists is so that Chevy can mark up the sticker by $200, then the dealer can look like the nice guy and let you have the 35 cents worth of plastic for only $100 extra.
SO BASICALLY ITS A 200 DOLLAR MONEY GRAB TO HAVE A BLACK BOWTIE THAN A GOLD TRADITIONAL
The gold and blue versions of the logo look the best, imho. Call me crazy, but it would be nice if the GlowTie could be updated so it glows inside the badge area and you could change the colors from inside the vehicle. Nothing too outlandish, but a nice muted glow would be nice.
I would like to see black or blue with a yellow lightning bolt on it for the EVs.
Thanks, this tells me nothing.. please right more articles explaining things ..
My last 2 vehicles were Chevys. 2007 hhr & 2013 equinox. Both gold symbols deteriorated within 3 years, much like both their 2.4 cylinder engines that burned oil like gas. Oh, and they wouldn’t admit it, talk about it, or make it right. Good bye chevy and your tarnished gold image.
Make the whole bow tie light up,not just the the edges
I think it’d be a nice touch if the bow tie were to somehow glow or light up. Great idea bro!
Repaint it yourself for 3.95
I’m a life long Chevy guy. My first Chevy was a 1968 Caprice and I remember correctly that the bow tie it gracefully sported on the front end was Chevy blue. I think it’d be a nice touch if it were to come back on certain vehicle models and trucks.
Bow tie could match the truck color. I had GM body shop paint match my truck color, “white” looks great!
I have a black glowtie. They dropped the ball on this overpriced option. You cannot tell it’s on during the day only at night. Maybe you should have designed it just like the DTRLS GM ! Would be nice to see it on all the time.
I like the gold. My silverado had the black. I peeled the black right off. Just like it was tape. Now i have a gold one. Lol.
My 2014 Silverado Rally Edition came with all black trim
My 2014 Silverado Rally had the black bowties standard as part of the Rally package. So I’m not sure I agree with “The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro was the first Chevy model in North America to offer the black bow tie”.
I despised the corny gold emblem for decades and avoided looking at GM vehicles for that one reason. Always looked like an old mans choice.
I now drive a 2022 Bolt with a black bow tie.
I despised the corny gold emblem for decades and avoided looking at GM vehicles for that one reason. Always looked like an old mans choice.
I now drive a 2022 Bolt with a black bow tie.
I am ever glad that such an important issue is being discussed. When you look around the world and see everyone is fighting the pandemic, there are forest fires destroying thousands of acres of land. hundreds of homes, people dying due to floods, famine, and war, while our taxes are increased every year by politicians because they can, we are able to discuss the issue of the colour of GM bow ties. I am so glad that this topic is not brought forward by Air Traffic Controllers. But lest us not forget that the freedom we have to discuss such trivia issues, is because of the Brave men and women of the Armed Forces serving around the world that keep us safe.