Cobra's, Thunderbirds, Chevrolet Super Sports all have aspirational logo's that uniquely identifies them in American car culture. What were those designers and engineers trying to communicate with those logo's emblazoned on their magnificent creations? Strength. Power. Speed. One can readily search the Intertubes for the symbolic meaning of the avatars chosen by the manufacturers. Here are some from my photo collection.
The Cobra
Menacing fangs gleaming in a wide-mouth hiss. Neck arched, like a spring coiled. The telltale "S" shape of the threatening reptile ready to strike faster than the human eye can track. This is the logo of the Shelby Cobra GT-350 and GT-500 edition of the iconic Ford Mustang. What do I think of when I see this logo? Strength, power, fearsomeness. These impressions are reinforced by the growl of the revving engine.
I imagine Nickolas Cage in the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds" lightly running his hand down its long fast back like he's stroking a prized race horse. She is named Eleanor, a 1971 model with air scoops behind the driver and passenger windows.
The logo and car designers were very successful at associating the power and speed of the legendary viper with a high performance muscle car on which it is emblazoned. There is no doubt that the driver of such a car has a beast in hand.
The Thunderbird
A creature from Native American mythology, the Thunderbird is a supernatural being of power and strength. Bedecked in Turquoise, the logo image evokes the wide wing span of a large, powerful bird of prey, an eagle. I can imagine the bird soaring overhead riding thermals then descending like a bullet to strike its target with sharp talons.
The 1950's editions of the Ford Thunderbird are my favorite. Sleek two-door two-seaters with removable tops to transform into a convertible. Wind blows in my hair as I press the accelerator on the open highway. US Highway 395 in the Mojave dessert stretches into infinity. Ripples of heat rising from the blacktop distort the distant view into a mirage of faux water.
The Chevrolet Super Sport
The first Chevrolet to bear the “SS” badge was based on the Corvette C1 in 1956. In early 1957, the Chevrolet Corvette SS debuted—a custom-built racing sports car that proudly wore the SS emblem. Chevrolet added it to is Malibu, Nova, and Impala models during the 1960's and 1970's. The "SS" badge was usually accompanied by a pair of crossed racing flags, the familiar black and white checker indicating the end if the race, with the first car to cross declared the winner, and a red flag with a fleur de lis and the iconic Chevrolet "bow tie" symbol.
The fleur-de-lis has long been associated with French royalty and nobility. It symbolizes perfection and nobility. The Chevrolet "Bow Tie" gold color symbolizes excellence and prestige. The Chevy bowtie has remained an enduring symbol of the company’s commitment to quality and innovation. The two flags on Chevrolet muscle cars evoke power, speed, winning the race, and the elite winners circle.
.
Apparently my dad had a Corvette back in the day — I saw some old pics of him, before my time, with his car and fully remember the SS (as they were his initials, and mine as well). I never knew it was a Corvette until reading your post, but it must’ve been (now I wonder if he chose that car based on a love of it or merely for the initials 😉).
Not a car guy, but GD the Cobra is cool!