Unfolding Before You the Little-Heard History of Corvette Flag Emblems
Ever since the Chevrolet Corvette, colloquially known as the Vette, entered the world of automobiles, it has undergone plenty of design changes. Some changes are quite subtle, while others not so much. Likewise, it’s symbolic crossed flag emblems have had a fair share. If you look closely at the Corvette flags emblem over the car’s five-generation, you will notice that the design has changed dramatically. However few design cues remained the same. For instance, the bow-tie emblem or the checkered flag emblem. You will also discover that the car manufacturer included a strange, maple-leaf insignia, known as “fleur-de-lis,” in C2 Corvette emblems from time to time.
How did it all start?
The first-ever Corvette flag emblem logo was created by Robert Bartholomew in 1953, the then interior designer at Chevrolet. The logo was designed to put on the 1953 Corvette Prototype, which was to be presented for the first time before the public in New York’s Waldorf-Astoria hotel in 1953. It had crossing staffs with two flags — a checkered flag on the right and an American flag on the left. However, just four days before the event, the company decided to change the design because it was illegal to put an American Flag on commercial products, which could have landed the company in legal trouble. It took four days to redesign the Corvette Flag emblem and was attached to the front hood and steering of the car right before the show. The new logo replaced the American flag with a white racing flag, a red Chevrolet bow-tie symbol, and a fleur-de-lis.
Where did the Fleur-de-lis come from?
Before showcasing their car before the public in 1953, Chevrolet was researching various emblem designs for the 1953-54 passenger cars. The management also browses through the Louis Chevrolet family history in an attempt to find some type of heraldry that they could use in an emblem. While they couldn’t find anything, they somehow figured out that Chevrolet is a french name, and the Fleur-de-lis — “flower of the lily” in french — means peace and purity. This made them use the symbol on their first Corvette’s flag emblem, replacing the American flag with it and other symbols. However, this emblem was temporary and had taken various changes over the years that you see today.
If you are looking for C2 Corvette emblems or flags for your Corvette, get in touch with us today.
