Ford Logo History
The Ford logo isn’t just a design—it’s a symbol with a rich history.
Over the years, this iconic emblem has evolved, reflecting changes in the company and the automotive industry.
If you’re interested in how Ford’s logo has developed into the recognizable car manufacturer logo it is today, you’re in the right place. And if you’re working on creating your own logo, using an AI logo generator might be a helpful tool to get you started.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of the Ford logo and what it represents.
The Ford Logo: A Brief Overview
The Ford logo is one of the most recognizable emblems in the automotive world, and its evolution reflects the company’s long history. The blue oval logo with the scripted “Ford” in the center symbolizes quality and innovation in the car industry.
Since Henry Ford founded the company in 1903, this logo has gone through several iterations. Early versions were more intricate, featuring a winged triangle, but in 1927, Ford simplified its design. That’s when the familiar blue oval first appeared, marking the start of the company’s modern brand identity.
The logo’s simplicity and elegance convey reliability and strength, traits that Ford wants its cars to represent. The bold, sweeping script adds a personal touch, highlighting the company’s heritage and commitment to craftsmanship.
Over the years, subtle updates have kept the logo feeling fresh without losing its core identity.
Ford Logo History
From its early days featuring intricate designs to the sleek, iconic blue oval we know today, the Ford emblem has evolved alongside the company’s growth and innovation.
Let’s take a look at how the famous logo has transformed over the years:
- 1903-1907
- 1907-1909
- 1909-1911
- 1911-1912
- 1912-1917
- 1917-1927
- 1927-1957
- 1957-1961
- 1961-1965
- 1965-1976
- 1976-2003
- 2003-today
1903-1907
The first Ford logo captures the style of its era. It features a round badge decorated with a floral-like pattern of swirling stems and leaves icons. In the center, there’s a diagonal oval with the brand’s short name inside.
At the top, you’ll see “Ford Motor,” followed by “Co.” in the second row, “Detroit” in the third, and finally, “Mich” at the bottom, as a nod to the state. The lines’ wavy, flowing look adds to the vintage feel.
1907-1909
In 1907, Ford ditched the old-school emblem for a more modern look. Gone were the leaves, stems, and swirls—instead, the logo took on a sleek, eye logo, almost like a rugby ball. Inside the oval, several inscriptions appeared, with the biggest being “Ford” in the center.
The letters were uneven, with the middle ones larger and the sides smaller. This version also introduced color to the logo for the first time, with a gray background. The design was created by Child Harold Wills, who gave it a more polished, updated feel.
1909-1911
Around this time, Ford introduced a new logo that became the foundation for all future versions. It featured a single, handwritten-style inscription. The word “Ford” was written in connected italics, giving it a flowing, handwritten feel.
The quote logos, shown as two merged dots, framed the logo, adding a unique touch. The design had plenty of curls and rounded edges, with a long tail extending from the “d” to form the bottom line, giving it a distinctive and elegant look.
1911-1912
The designers based the logo on Henry Ford’s signature. They placed it inside a horizontal oval framed by a double line—a thick white one on the inside and a thin black one on the outside. Surrounding the signature were the phrases “The Famous” at the top and “Motor Cars” at the bottom, giving it a classic and polished look.
1912-1917
After a bold redesign, Ford introduced a new logo that looked like a coat of arms shaped like a soaring bird. It had wide wings and a broad tail, giving it a strong, dynamic feel. The emblem was blue and still featured the classic Ford signature and the slogan “Universal Car.”
1917-1927
For a decade, Ford went with a minimalist logo. It simply featured the name, styled like the founder’s signature, inside an oval bordered by a thin black line. The inner background was a soft lilac, keeping things clean and simple.
1927-1957
The background color was darkened to a rich purple, and a double border was added for extra detail. The text and lines were switched to white for contrast. However, in 1949, Ford switched things up on their models by using a different logo altogether—a coat of arms design.
1957-1961
The Ford emblem became fresh with a new oval shape rounded in the middle and tapered at the ends. The bright purple was swapped out for a darker shade. The letters also got a makeover: the strokes are longer, and the symbols have a more rounded feel.
1961-1965
The next redesign introduced a new style of lettering that’s flatter and more elongated. The oval shape was slimmed to a standard look with no extra thickening. They swapped out the magenta for a dark blue and added a double stroke for a sharper appearance.
1965-1976
The brand name got a major makeover: it’s now an ellipse logo with a white inner outline, bringing back a vibe from the 1927 emblem. The font is italic, tall, and classy. In 1976, this logo was used alongside alternative designs, but Ford returned to the main logo in 2017.
At the same time, they also used two other emblems.
1976-2003
The Ford emblem was revamped to a dark cobalt color, giving it a sleek, sophisticated look with a 3D logo effect. It features highlights, a gradient, and a wide silver chrome border with shadows, adding a touch of modern elegance.
2003-today
For its centennial, Ford gave the oval badge a fresh redesign with help from Pantone Studios. They ditched the wide silver border, swapped the metallic texture for a blue gradient, and added a 3D effect.
However, in 2017, Ford returned to the classic 2D logo from 1965. That said, you can still spot the 2003 version on some models.
Ford Logo Design Elements
These are the different elements that comprise the Ford logo:
Font
Ford opted for a custom typeface inspired by Henry Ford’s signature for its logo. This gives the text a handwritten, italicized look. The color palette is pretty varied, featuring shades of purple and blue ranging from light to deep, along with metallic, silver, and chrome grays.
Color
Prussian Blue, a deep and rich shade of blue, has been a significant color in the Ford logo’s history. This color evokes a sense of tradition and stability, fitting Ford’s long-standing reputation for quality and reliability.
Design Your Car Logo Today!
Looking at the evolution of the Ford logo, it’s clear that a great design can stand the test of time. From its detailed early days to the modern, sleek look we see today, Ford’s emblem has always communicated reliability and innovation. It’s a perfect example of how a strong logo can shape and sustain a brand’s identity over the years.
Ready to create your standout logo? BrandCrowd is here to help. With our easy-to-use design tools and templates, you can craft a professional and unique logo that reflects your brand’s personality.
