Ferrari’s iconic Prancing Horse emblem is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated brand logos and it’s instantly recognized all over the world. The logo features a black prancing horse on a yellow background, usually with the letters “S F” (Scuderia Ferrari) on the top. The galloping all-black stallion has become synonymous with speed, Italian craftsmanship, and exclusively. While the legendary Ferrari logo can now be found on a wide range of products including everything from perfumes to shoes, you’ll be surprised to know that the first car to sport the Prancing Horse symbol wasn’t actually a Ferrari. Crazy, right? In fact, the unusual history of the logo is just as interesting as that of Enzo Ferrari and the legendary brand he founded.
Many years ago, Enzo Ferrari himself narrated the story of how the Prancing Horse symbol came into his life and went on to become the logo for not only his racing team but also for the most recognizable car brand in the world. The black horse was originally a symbol of Count Francesco Baracca, a legendary Italian Air Force ace during World War I. It was painted on the side of every plane he flew during the war. Unfortunately, he was shot down on June 19, 1918, after 34 victorious duels.
Although Baracca died young, he had already become a national hero. In 1923, Enzo Ferrari got the opportunity to meet Count Enrico Baracca and Countess Paolina, parents of the World War I hero, after winning his first Savio Circuit in Ravenna. It was during that meeting when the Countess told Enzo: “Ferrari, why don’t you put my son’s prancing horse on your cars? It’ll bring you good luck.” That fortunate encounter forever intertwined the destinies of the legendary logo and Ferrari.
The first car to feature the Prancing Horse symbol wasn’t a Ferrari!
While Enzo Ferrari honored the Countess’ request and adopted the symbol, the Prancing Horse logo did not appear on Scuderia Ferrari cars until 9 July 1932. You’ll be absolutely astonished to know that the iconic symbol first appeared on Alfa Romeo race cars when Enzo raced for the Italian brand. The emblem was tweaked by placing the galloping stallion on a yellow background, the color of Modena, Ferrari’s hometown.
After ending his racing career in the mid-1920s, Enzo focused instead on the management and development of the factory Alfa race cars. in 1929, he founded the Scuderia Ferrari team that acted as a racing division for Alfa Romeo. The Alfa Romeo race cars continued using the emblem until Enzo decided to turn Scuderia Ferrari into an independent team in 1932. Over the years, the logo has undergone subtle tweaks and changes, but the basic design has remained largely consistent.
