Meaning of the BMW emblem

[Springfield1952]

A long time ago I did some research on this, here's what I remember. The symbol is a stylized image of a spinning propeller. The light blue and white are colors used in the Bavarian flag and are seen all over southern Germany.

Curt.
1994 530iT

[AZ_Jason_S]

The Jeep wasn't even invented by Ford or Willys, but the Bantam Car Company in Butler PA. I think the Army liked Bantams design, but awarded the contract to Ford, because they had the more powerful Willys "Go Devil" engine. I think they gave Bantam a contract for trailers or parts or something.

[andyman32]

I've always heard that the emblem is supposed to represent airplane propellers against the blue is the Bavarian sky.

I'm going to write to BMW as Geak suggested to ask I will post as soon as I have a reply!

[Springfield1952]

This is the version with the royal crest, the "standard" flag is the blue and white diamonds only.

Curt.

[gordon]

You can see from the posting of the original logo (the flying airplane from the front) the logo we know today right down to the vertical and horizontal lines....It is based on an airplane propellor against blue sky.
As for Jeeps...no one knows exactly whether it was JEEP for GP or from the Popey cartoon character...(this from four or five Jeep History sites).

[Call me CLIFF]

Maybe BMW adapted the airplane propeller idea into the poster and so on as it looks like a propeller spinning in the blue sky. Just like what Ryan said about the “JEEP” from Popeye cartoon. However the BMW emblem ORIGINALLY stood for Bavarian Coat of Arms. It is “Coat” and NOT “Code”. That was my mistake for writing it wrong. That’s what it said at the Chicago AUTO SHOW.

[rickm]

Someone could call or write each company and ask them. Hopefully this won't turn into the flame fest that occurs when someone asks about Volvo.

[TheGeak]

pfffft Chicago, what'd they know about cars out THERE!!! *please note this message was meant to convey a lot of sarcasm*

[rickm]

Not just Chicago, but the Chicago AUTO SHOW.

Jeep history:
http://www.jeep.com/jeep_life/legend...ex&type=button

BMW history:
http://www.bmwgroup.com/e/nav/index....ernehmen.shtml

[DueyT]

Just to be clear, the elder gentleman in the BMW museum in Munich that told me about the propeller was one of the museum employees. I'm pretty sure he was passing on the company line to me. He was certainly sincere and I'm happy that the emblem represents the stylized propeller using Bavarian colours. If the Emblem were simply taken from the Bavarian Coat of Arms backgroun, I would think that the checks would be diagonalized, not square/perpendicular as they are in the roundel.

Of course, I will now have to visit München again, to reconfirm the real deal. Of course, I will remember to bring some sort of formal proof back with me (besides a König Ludwig Dunkel Weiss beer stein )

Cheers,
Duey