Corvette emblem question.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
emblem
I asked the same question a while ago!do a search.I don't remember exactly,but the stuff in there is the FLEUR D'LISE,because the guy who was there at the beginning of CHEVY was LOUIS CHEVROLET,A FRENCH GUY.For more detailed info,somebody who's more awake than I am will chime in and give you more info.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 3
From: Granada Hills CA
Then I guess your Saturday IS in the toilette.
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.
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 3
From: Granada Hills CA
Why Replace the American Flag you ask?
The original Corvette logo 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
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Georgia
Yeah, …it’s a French thing. Louis Chevrolet you know !!?
Maybe I’m slow, but I would not normally associate a car that touts American design and a content of 80% American provided components (closest thing to an “All-American” car we have) with an inherent French symbol (especially considering France’s attitude toward us “Gringos”).
Next, and as most know, the “Corvette” was named after a class of WWII British Warship of the same name because the ship was considered fast, nimble and aggressive (to paraphrase). No French connection there, either.
Maybe it’s time to reconsider (besides, I like Duntov’s contributions better). Since we are a little concerned regarding the use of “Old Glory” as a hood ornament (and rightfully so considering what it means to those who sacrificed years ago), maybe a screaming bald eagle or something like that (hey, maybe I can work that into a hoodliner design.
Maybe I’m slow, but I would not normally associate a car that touts American design and a content of 80% American provided components (closest thing to an “All-American” car we have) with an inherent French symbol (especially considering France’s attitude toward us “Gringos”).
Next, and as most know, the “Corvette” was named after a class of WWII British Warship of the same name because the ship was considered fast, nimble and aggressive (to paraphrase). No French connection there, either.
Maybe it’s time to reconsider (besides, I like Duntov’s contributions better). Since we are a little concerned regarding the use of “Old Glory” as a hood ornament (and rightfully so considering what it means to those who sacrificed years ago), maybe a screaming bald eagle or something like that (hey, maybe I can work that into a hoodliner design.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 3
From: Granada Hills CA
Contrary to popular belief, the fleur-de-lis did not originate in France.
It traces origins back to Ancient Egypt (or earlier) and the sacred lotus symbol for plant meaning Tree of Life explained.
In ancient Egypt and in India (as in Christianity etc) the fleur-de-lis was used as symbol meaning life and resurrection, In Egypt it was also the attribute of the god Horus, and a symbol for circumcision.
The fleur-de-lis was later adopted by the ruling class of the Roman Empire, probably due to religious influences. After the fall of Empire it was inherited to symbolize the sacred origin of the Merovingian dynasty and then became a symbol of the entire Christian French Kingdom. This is however speculative, modern unconfirmed theories about the Holy Grail see in the fleur-de-lys a symbol of the mythical holy origin of the French nation in the union of legendary King Meroveus with Mary Magdalene descendancy given to her by Jesus.
It traces origins back to Ancient Egypt (or earlier) and the sacred lotus symbol for plant meaning Tree of Life explained.
In ancient Egypt and in India (as in Christianity etc) the fleur-de-lis was used as symbol meaning life and resurrection, In Egypt it was also the attribute of the god Horus, and a symbol for circumcision.
The fleur-de-lis was later adopted by the ruling class of the Roman Empire, probably due to religious influences. After the fall of Empire it was inherited to symbolize the sacred origin of the Merovingian dynasty and then became a symbol of the entire Christian French Kingdom. This is however speculative, modern unconfirmed theories about the Holy Grail see in the fleur-de-lys a symbol of the mythical holy origin of the French nation in the union of legendary King Meroveus with Mary Magdalene descendancy given to her by Jesus.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,727
Likes: 711
From: Bergen County, NJ
The Origin of the fleur-de-lis
History of the Corvette Emblem
http://www.baronage.co.uk/bphtm-02/moa-15.html
Few heraldic emblems have been so controversial as the fleur-de-lis (or fleur-de-lys or flower-de-luce). Its history stretches far back in time, allegedly into the mists of antiquity,
Last edited by Wayne88; Feb 18, 2006 at 09:26 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Originally Posted by Greenhorn
Yeah, …it’s a French thing. Louis Chevrolet you know !!?
Maybe I’m slow, but I would not normally associate a car that touts American design and a content of 80% American provided components (closest thing to an “All-American” car we have) with an inherent French symbol (especially considering France’s attitude toward us “Gringos”).
Next, and as most know, the “Corvette” was named after a class of WWII British Warship of the same name because the ship was considered fast, nimble and aggressive (to paraphrase). No French connection there, either.
Maybe I’m slow, but I would not normally associate a car that touts American design and a content of 80% American provided components (closest thing to an “All-American” car we have) with an inherent French symbol (especially considering France’s attitude toward us “Gringos”).
Next, and as most know, the “Corvette” was named after a class of WWII British Warship of the same name because the ship was considered fast, nimble and aggressive (to paraphrase). No French connection there, either.
The French Navy was using Corvettes as far back as the 1850s. Brit words don't end in "ette", the Brits nicked the ship classification from the French.French Corvette, 1856
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Georgia
Originally Posted by xs650
Sorry, my little Francophobe The French Navy was using Corvettes as far back as the 1850s. Brit words don't end in "ette", the Brits nicked the ship classification from the French.
French Corvette, 1856
The French Navy was using Corvettes as far back as the 1850s. Brit words don't end in "ette", the Brits nicked the ship classification from the French.French Corvette, 1856
I'll keep trying. Maybe someday I'll get something right.
Thanks loads for the info. Maybe I will do good in trivia someday.
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Georgia
Originally Posted by xs650
Sorry, my little Francophobe The French Navy was using Corvettes as far back as the 1850s. Brit words don't end in "ette", the Brits nicked the ship classification from the French.
French Corvette, 1856
The French Navy was using Corvettes as far back as the 1850s. Brit words don't end in "ette", the Brits nicked the ship classification from the French.French Corvette, 1856
I'll keep trying. Maybe someday I'll get something right.
Thanks loads for the info. Might do me good someday in a trivia game.
Keep up the good work.
