QOTD: A Bit Too Much Badge?
Let’s talk about badges. Seems like in recent years the thing to do is gather up a multitude of badges on a single given vehicle. Extending well beyond the manufacturer’s emblem and the model name, badges now branch to sub-model variants, trim, drivetrains, special editions, and perhaps others I’m not even considering right now.
But which brand (or model) commits the crime of Too Much Badge most often?
Today’s question was generated by a particularly funny Craigslist posting. To be fair, this Alfa Romeo Giulia had some assistance from a very proud owner who freely admits he added more “four leave clover triangles” to his favorite car. The overhead console, door mirrors, door pull trims, and the license plate bracket have all been beclovered.
Like all the additional badge photos, the ad copy is well worth a look. It cites the opinions of police officers and different women who had the pleasure of beholding the silver Giulia (which is the best car ever, but is now for sale). Other oddities here include photos of a vintage Giulia and its rear lamps in use on the Countach, and a man’s portrait in the passenger seat that may or may not be from a funeral.
But I digress. Hilarious and bizarre ad aside, we’d like to rely on your keen powers of observation in the comments today. What vehicles have you noticed lately with the most badge action, be it inside or out?
[Images: BMW, seller]
Interested in lots of cars and their various historical contexts. Started writing articles for TTAC in late 2016, when my first posts were QOTDs. From there I started a few new series like Rare Rides, Buy/Drive/Burn, Abandoned History, and most recently Rare Rides Icons. Operating from a home base in Cincinnati, Ohio, a relative auto journalist dead zone. Many of my articles are prompted by something I'll see on social media that sparks my interest and causes me to research. Finding articles and information from the early days of the internet and beyond that covers the little details lost to time: trim packages, color and wheel choices, interior fabrics. Beyond those, I'm fascinated by automotive industry experiments, both failures and successes. Lately I've taken an interest in AI, and generating "what if" type images for car models long dead. Reincarnating a modern Toyota Paseo, Lincoln Mark IX, or Isuzu Trooper through a text prompt is fun. Fun to post them on Twitter too, and watch people overreact. To that end, the social media I use most is Twitter, @CoreyLewis86. I also contribute pieces for Forbes Wheels and Forbes Home.
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The Ford King Ranch with Powerstroke diesel just shouts "I'm gay"! Clearly a Man's man pickup truck!! 4x4 badges, Chrome banner across the tailgate, and even a sticker bragging about the bedliner. https://www.autoblog.com/2018/07/19/2018-ford-f-150-king-ranch-pickup-review/#slide-1320764
Observed in Germany the number of cars with the badges deleted. Offered from the dealership either for the exec that doesn't want to flaunt it or the middle manager reaching for a class above. I like the look.