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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 09:35 AM
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Default Emblem Question

Does anyone know why there is a Fleur-de-lis on the right side of the emblem beside the Chevrolet logo?
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 09:37 AM
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...originally it was a US flag, but they changed it the day or so before the debut of the car in '53. I think it had something to do w/ trademark infringement or something. They replaced it w/ the fleur-de-lis... I think because they were in a rush, it looks pretty, and Corvette is a frech word, named after a battleship.
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Cobra4B
...originally it was a US flag, but they changed it the day or so before the debut of the car in '53. I think it had something to do w/ trademark infringement or something. They replaced it w/ the fleur-de-lis... I think because they were in a rush, it looks pretty, and Corvette is a frech word, named after a battleship.

It was illegal to us the US flag on the emblem.
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 09:47 AM
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I agree with the above Corvette is a french word therefore the fleur de lis.
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 09:49 AM
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i believe it is in tribute to the great french racer of his day louis CHEVROLET
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 10:32 AM
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The both the Corvette/French and the Chevrolet tribute make sense.

The origin and meaning of the symbol habe been debated for years. Here is one version:

The English translation of "fleur-de-lis" (sometimes spelled "fleur-de-lys") is "flower of the lily." This symbol, depicting a stylized lily or lotus flower, has many meanings. Traditionally, it has been used to represent French royalty, and in that sense it is said to signify perfection, light, and life. Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis, the Merovingian king of the Franks, with a golden lily as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity. Others claim that Clovis adopted the symbol when waterlilies showed him how to safely cross a river and thus succeed in battle.

I'm suprised that when they were unable to use the US flag that they didn't replace it with something more American rather than French
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 10:38 AM
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Hi guys,
I think the Corvette was named after a small English warship.
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Cobra4B
...originally it was a US flag, but they changed it the day or so before the debut of the car in '53. I think it had something to do w/ trademark infringement or something. They replaced it w/ the fleur-de-lis... I think because they were in a rush, it looks pretty, and Corvette is a frech word, named after a battleship.
You can always learn SOMETHING on the Forum. Thanks guys.
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Bad 2004
You can always learn SOMETHING on the Forum. Thanks guys.
I'm always amazed......very cool
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 11:42 AM
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Here you go:

From this link:

The History of the Corvette Emblem

Paul


History of the Corvette Emblem

Over the years, the Corvette has gone through many design changes; some subtle, some not so subtle. The Corvette's symbolic crossed flags emblem has also seen its fair number of changes. If you've taken a close look at the emblem over the five generations of Corvette, you'll notice that even though the design has changed dramatically from time to time, a few design cues remain. These include some form of a checkered flag and a bow-tie emblem. From time to time, a strange, maple leaf type of insignia, called a "fleur-de-lis" also shows up from time to time in the emblem. So what does all this mean and how did it get started?

The original Corvette logo (Figure 1) was designed by Robert Bartholomew, an interior designer at Chevrolet in 1953. This emblem was destined to appear on the 1953 Corvette prototype which was introduced to the public for the first time at New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel in January of 1953. It had crossing staffs with the checkered flag on the right hand side, and the American flag on the left hand side. However, four days before the Corvette was to go on display at the show, Chevrolet management decided that it should be redesigned. The problem with the proposed emblem was that it included the American flag which is illegal to use on a commerical product. Right before the show, redesigned emblems were attached to the front hood and steering wheel of the Corvette. The new emblem contained the checkered flag on the right side as well as the white racing flag, red Chevrolet bow-tie symbol and a fleur-de-lis (Figure 2).

Where did the fleur-de-lis come from? At the time, Chevrolet was conducting research on various emblem designs for the 1953 and 1954 passenger cars. They looked at the Louis Chevrolet family history in an attempt to discover a crest or some type of heraldry that they could utilize. Unfortunately, they came up empty, but they did realize that Chevrolet is a French name and the fleur-de-lis (flower of the lily) is a French symbol meaning peace and purity. They decided to use the fleur-de-lis along with the famous blue Chevrolet bow tie on a new flag which replaced the American flag on the Corvette. When the 1953 Corvette first appeared to the public at the Waldorf Historia Hotel, the redesigned emblems were in place.

However, this emblem was temporary and used only for press photography at the show. A new emblem was designed prior to the 1953 Corvette going into production.

If you're wondering what ever happened to the original 1953 Corvette emblem by Robert Bartholemew, it's currently on display at the National Corvette Museum!
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 11:43 AM
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I don't remember the exact verbage, but the corvette museum has a wirte up about it there with a pic of the original emblem.
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 11:55 AM
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Great link.

Thanks, this forum is a wealth of info!
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 12:07 PM
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http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/history/emblem.html



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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 12:48 PM
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Default The Real Story

Originally Posted by talon90
Here you go:

From this link:

The History of the Corvette Emblem

Paul


History of the Corvette Emblem

Over the years, the Corvette has gone through many design changes; some subtle, some not so subtle. The Corvette's symbolic crossed flags emblem has also seen its fair number of changes. If you've taken a close look at the emblem over the five generations of Corvette, you'll notice that even though the design has changed dramatically from time to time, a few design cues remain. These include some form of a checkered flag and a bow-tie emblem. From time to time, a strange, maple leaf type of insignia, called a "fleur-de-lis" also shows up from time to time in the emblem. So what does all this mean and how did it get started?

The original Corvette logo (Figure 1) was designed by Robert Bartholomew, an interior designer at Chevrolet in 1953. This emblem was destined to appear on the 1953 Corvette prototype which was introduced to the public for the first time at New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel in January of 1953. It had crossing staffs with the checkered flag on the right hand side, and the American flag on the left hand side. However, four days before the Corvette was to go on display at the show, Chevrolet management decided that it should be redesigned. The problem with the proposed emblem was that it included the American flag which is illegal to use on a commerical product. Right before the show, redesigned emblems were attached to the front hood and steering wheel of the Corvette. The new emblem contained the checkered flag on the right side as well as the white racing flag, red Chevrolet bow-tie symbol and a fleur-de-lis (Figure 2).

Where did the fleur-de-lis come from? At the time, Chevrolet was conducting research on various emblem designs for the 1953 and 1954 passenger cars. They looked at the Louis Chevrolet family history in an attempt to discover a crest or some type of heraldry that they could utilize. Unfortunately, they came up empty, but they did realize that Chevrolet is a French name and the fleur-de-lis (flower of the lily) is a French symbol meaning peace and purity. They decided to use the fleur-de-lis along with the famous blue Chevrolet bow tie on a new flag which replaced the American flag on the Corvette. When the 1953 Corvette first appeared to the public at the Waldorf Historia Hotel, the redesigned emblems were in place.

However, this emblem was temporary and used only for press photography at the show. A new emblem was designed prior to the 1953 Corvette going into production.

If you're wondering what ever happened to the original 1953 Corvette emblem by Robert Bartholemew, it's currently on display at the National Corvette Museum!
Thank You for reducing the chase.
documented information is allways more informative and accurate.
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike McCoy
Hi guys,
I think the Corvette was named after a small English warship.

It was a small, fast British warship similar to an American destroyer.
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Old Jan 15, 2005 | 01:07 AM
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What a bunch of 'brainiacs"!!!

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Old Jan 15, 2005 | 01:13 AM
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Originally Posted by tblair7500
What a bunch of 'brainiacs"!!!

I'm gonna get those American Flag inserts, just for originality...
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Old Jan 15, 2005 | 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
I'm gonna get those American Flag inserts, just for originality...
You mean these?


http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/sho...il.cfm?id=1467

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