
Several prominent car manufacturers feature wings in their logos, with the most iconic being Aston Martin, Bentley, and Chrysler's historic Winged Logo. These wings are not merely decorative; they are deeply symbolic, often representing speed, freedom, and the aspiration to soar. The specific style of the wings—whether spread wide or stylized into a more abstract form—can tell you a lot about the brand's heritage and identity.
The most famous winged logos belong to the British luxury marques. Aston Martin's logo consists of a set of stylized, upward-curving wings encircling the brand's name. It symbolizes the brand's aviation-inspired roots and its pursuit of high-performance, elegant grand tourers. Similarly, Bentley's logo features a bold letter 'B' centered within a pair of detailed, feathered wings. This design directly references the company's origins in building engines for aircraft during World War I, symbolizing power, prestige, and a rich racing pedigree.
American manufacturer Chrysler has used a version of a winged logo at various points in its history. From the 1950s "Forward Look" wings to the more recent streamlined badge, the wings were intended to convey innovation, speed, and a forward-thinking vision. It's important to distinguish these from badges that are not wings but are often mistaken for them. For example, the Mazda logo is a stylized 'M' meant to resemble wings, and the Hyundai 'H' is sometimes interpreted as a stylized silhouette of two people shaking hands, not wings.
| Brand | Logo Name / Style | Symbolic Meaning | Historical Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin | Winged Logo | Speed, Freedom, Luxury | Inspired by aviation and the brand's name (after the Aston Hill Climb) |
| Bentley | Winged 'B' Emblem | Power, Prestige, Aviation Heritage | Direct reference to Bentley's aircraft engine production during WWI |
| Chrysler | Pentastar / Winged Badges | Innovation, Speed, "Forward Look" | Introduced in the 1950s to signify a new design direction |
| Lagonda | Winged Badge | Luxury, Performance | A subsidiary of Aston Martin, sharing similar aviation-inspired themes |
| Morgan | Winged Motif | British Tradition, Handcrafted Quality | Often features a winged emblem emphasizing its classic and bespoke nature |
| Spyker | Aircraft-Inspired Logo | Heritage, Innovation, Artistry | Incorporates a vintage aircraft propeller into its winged logo |
| MINI (Cooper S) | Winged Badge Variant | Sporty Performance, Racing Legacy | Specific to the John Cooper Works performance line, not the standard logo |

For me, the first one that comes to mind is Bentley. That big 'B' with the detailed wings just screams class and old-money style. Then there's Aston Martin, thanks to James Bond. Their wings are smoother, more modern-looking. Chrysler had those cool wings on their cars back in the day, which gave them a real retro-futuristic vibe. It's a classic American design choice to signal speed.

You're looking for logos that literally have wing shapes. The top three are definitely Aston Martin, Bentley, and older Chrysler models. Some other, lesser-known ones include the British sports car maker Morgan and the boutique brand Spyker, which mixes wings with a propeller. Don't confuse these with logos that are just abstract and might look a bit like wings, such as Mazda's current symbol.

The wing motif is deeply tied to the early 20th century when automotive and aviation technology were advancing together. Brands like Bentley incorporated wings as a direct nod to their work on aircraft engines, making it a badge of engineering honor. Aston Martin's wings, while also aviation-inspired, evolved to represent the grace and speed of flight rather than mechanical origins. So, when you see these logos, you're seeing a piece of history from the golden age of speed and exploration.

If you're trying to identify a car on the road, the winged logos are pretty distinct. Bentley's wings are symmetrical and detailed, framing a large 'B'. Aston Martin's wings are simpler, just an outline curving around the brand name. The classic Chrysler wings from the 50s and 60s are a long, horizontal bar with wings sweeping back. Knowing these differences helps you tell these luxury and classic brands apart at a quick glance. It’s a fun bit of trivia for any car spotter.


