Lancia is an Italian car manufacturer that came into existence in 1906 in Turin. Part of the Stellantis group and once owned by the Fiat Chrysler Group, the car brand was once very popular, especially for its accomplishments in motorsports. It is also known for introducing several advanced technologies to the world of automobiles. Over the years, the Lancia logo has undergone several transformations to reflect the changes in design trends, technology, and the identity of the company. The article explores the various logo changes that the Lancia brand has undergone over the years.
The Genesis of the Lancia Logo (1906–1911)
The first Lancia logo was introduced in 1906 and featured a simple black rectangular banner with serif lettering and a double border. The name “Lancia” was prominently displayed in white, with the letter “L” larger than the other letters and its horizontal bar featured below the letter “A.” This logo represented the early identity of the brand and focused on clarity and elegance.
(1907–1911)
In 1907, a more refined version of the logo was introduced, which showcased the name “Lancia” in italicised gold lettering. The ornate letters had curls that blended into the underline. Further, the curl emanating from the last letter “a” joined the letter “L” to the left. This design displayed a sleek and elegant style that matched the aesthetics of the time.
(1911–1929)
The 1911 logo was designed by Count Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia. It featured a steering wheel on a white background and a blue flag within, with the name “Lancia” inscribed in thin serifs and gold capitals. The flagpole was replaced by a spear-like object to symbolise the brand’s name, which means “lance” in Italian. This logo laid the foundation for the brand’s visual identity.
(1929–1950)
In 1929, the steering wheel, the spear, and the flag were enclosed in a triangular shield. Here, the shield resembled a geometric figure, aka “reuleaux triangle.” The logo design was one of the six sketches introduced by Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia. The colours used were purple for the shield and flag, yellow and white for the steering wheel, and gold for the lettering. This version was used consistently, starting with the 1936 Aprilia model.
(1950- 1957)
The 1950 logo variant was similar to the previous one and executed in a brighter colour scheme. However, the golden details of the previous logo were changed to acid-yellow, and purple was replaced with a light blue colour. The steering wheel in yellow and blue was placed on a white background, and the wordmark “Lancia” in capitals appearing on the blue flag was rendered in white.
(1957–1974)
The 1957 redesign simplified the logo significantly by introducing a two-tone blue and silver colour scheme. The steering wheel was changed to a circular shape as an abstract and enclosed within a shield with an outline. Thus, the logo became a more stylised representation. It focused on geometric shapes while retaining the spear and flag elements.
(1972–1981)
The 1972 logo variant was a marked departure from the earlier design and featured a rectangular banner with rounded corners and a white background. The brand name in white was mentioned over a blue rectangle, which covered more than half of the rectangular banner.
(1974–1981)
In 1974, the logo was modernised again and returned to the 1929 design, but with a more streamlined approach. It featured a white steering wheel with blue outlines and a blue flag with white lettering in simple serifs placed at the centre. Besides, the elements of the flag and lance were unified, and the lettering was standardized. This logo debuted on the 1979 Lancia Delta.
(1981–2001)
This particular logo design used the concept of the 1974 logo by changing the shade of blue a little. The logo looked deeper and calmer and offered an exquisite look. It remained the visual identity of the car brand for two decades.
(2001–2007)
The 2001 logo was made by designer Massimo Vignelli, who reintroduced all previous elements but in a more minimalistic style. The colours remained blue and white, and the letter “L” was resized to match the other letters to emphasise uniformity and modern design principles.
(2007–2022)
In 2007, the Lancia Style Centre collaborated with the Robilant Associati studio to create a new logo. This version retained some of the previous logo elements (blue shield and chrome borders) and introduced a darker, shinier blue. The steering wheel was simplified further, wherein the spokes were transformed into two vertical spikes. Also, the flag and spear from the previous logo were removed. This marked a significant aesthetic evolution.
(2022–Present)
The logo redesign of 2022 revisits historic elements from the 1957 logo but presents them in a contemporary and minimalist style. The new logo features the brand name in a sleek futuristic sans-serif font and a refined colour palette. Interestingly, the horizontal bars of both “As” were removed. The steering wheel is shown in the form of a thin silver ring, while the flag has been made thinner, sharper, and longer. This logo is likely to be featured on future models, including the upcoming Lancia Ypsilon.
(2022–Present)
In another version, the logo design features only the brand name in a futuristic black sans-serif typeface set against a white background. Besides, both “As” in the wordmark do not have any horizontal bars.
The Elements of the Lancia Logo
Font
The Lancia logo features a crisp white wordmark in a classic serif font, which is similar to the Alter Headletter or Robusta Bold font but with a slimmer profile. Its sharp serifs and clean lines give the wordmark a timeless elegance. Another logo iteration sports a black wordmark in a futuristic sans-serif font.
Colour
The logo’s blue and silver tones, when paired with the white text, evoke a sense of dependability, excellence, and dedication. This colour scheme reflects the commitment of Lancia to produce cars that prioritise both safety and comfort.
Finally
Since its inception, the Lancia logo has reflected the brand’s heritage as well as the evolving tastes and technologies in automotive design. Each iteration has contributed to Lancia’s identity as a symbol of Italian elegance and innovation.