Ford advertisements in 1932 called it “The Greatest Thrill in Motoring.” The V8 engine was the most aspirational American automotive power plant of the twentieth century. Sure, there were V12s and the rare V16, but the V8 was an attainable driveway status symbol. For my tenth edition of my series on automotive type, I’m featuring some of my favorite takes on the famous alphanumeric mark that told your neighbors what you were packing under the hood.
From a graphic design point of view, there are so many great interpretations of this simple combination of characters. I love the lighting bolt style of the 1955 Pontiac badge and the subtle “infinity” of the 1962 Studebaker badge. But it’s the graphic checkerboard treatment of the 1965 Barracuda badge that’s possibly my all time favorite.
If you’re interested in digging deeper into badge type design, check out writer and type expert Steven Coles’ excellent Tumblr page, Chromeography.
Interested in a print of one of my badge photos? Visit my store and place an order.
Top row, left to right: 1932 Ford, 1955 Pontiac, 1955 Ford. Middle row, left to right: 1955 DeSoto, 1962 Studebaker Lark Daytona. Bottom row, left to right: 1964 Studebaker Lark Daytona, 1965 Plymouth Barracuda.