What is the history of the Ram hood ornament?
The Ram hood ornament began in the mid-1930s on Dodge vehicles as a three‑dimensional ram’s head, symbolizing strength. It faded from most models by the late 1960s to 1970s, and today the ram head is predominantly a grille badge tied to the Ram Trucks brand rather than a true hood ornament.
This article traces the arc of the Ram hood ornament—from its origins on early Dodge cars to its decline in favor of badge-based branding, and finally to its modern legacy as a standalone emblem of the Ram truck lineup. Along the way, it highlights design shifts, regulatory influences, and the evolving identity of Dodge and Ram over nearly a century.
Origins and early use
Key milestones in the early adoption and variations of the Ram hood ornament.
- 1933–1934: The Ram head hood ornament debuts on Dodge passenger cars and trucks, presenting a three-dimensional ram’s head with curling horns as a bold symbol of power and endurance.
- Late 1930s–1950s: The ram motif becomes a recognizable brand cue across Dodge models, appearing in chrome or metal form on hoods and, in some years, integrated into hood badges.
- 1950s: Variations in styling occur by model year, with some applications featuring a simplified ram silhouette or a ram–head motif embedded in the hood badge rather than as a separate ornament.
- 1960s–early 1970s: Growing safety and regulatory concerns, along with changing styling trends, reduce the prominence of hood ornaments in the industry; Dodge gradually scales back on traditional hood ram ornaments in favor of badges and grille branding.
- Mid- to late-1970s: The iconic ram head appears less frequently as a dedicated hood ornament, though it remains a familiar element for enthusiasts and collectors on certain Dodge trucks.
As this era progressed, the ram identity shifted away from a prominent hood ornament toward branding placed on grilles and emblems, signaling a broader industry move away from protruding ornaments.
Design features of the original ram head
The original ram head typically showcased a stylized ram’s head with curling horns, crafted in chrome or metal to catch light and convey a sense of motion and vigor as the vehicle moved down the road.
Mid-century evolution and decline
Industry-wide changes and safety considerations reshaped how automakers presented branding on the hood, accelerating the decline of traditional hood ornaments.
Notable milestones in this period illustrate how Dodge transitioned from an ornament-centric cue to badge-focused branding on its lineup.
- 1960s–1970s: Safety regulations and evolving design norms push hood ornaments to the periphery; many manufacturers relocate or remove them entirely, favoring grille badges or emblems.
- Late 1960s–1980s: Dodge increasingly emphasizes the brand name and ram imagery through grille design and badges rather than separate hood ornaments on most models.
- 1980s–1990s: The ram head remains a recognizable symbol within Dodge’s truck line, but its role as a hood ornament continues to wane as branding moves to the grille and tailgate badges.
By this stage, the era of the ram hood ornament as a standard feature was effectively closing, with the symbol living on primarily as a badge rather than a protruding ornament.
The shift to badges and the Ram brand
The Ram symbol’s evolution into a badge-driven identity mirrors a broader rebranding strategy that separated Ram Trucks from Dodge’s passenger models.
Key moments in branding strategy and emblem evolution:
- 1990s–2000s: Ram imagery becomes central to a distinct truck-brand identity within the broader Dodge/Chrysler family, culminating in a clear separation of Ram as its own marque.
- 2009–2010: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles restructures brands, elevating Ram to standalone status; the Ram name reinforces a distinct truck-focused identity separate from Dodge passenger cars.
- 2010s–present: The ram head appears primarily as a grille badge and nameplate element on Ram Trucks, with hood ornaments largely absent on new models; collectors may restore or reproduce historical hood ornaments on classic Dodge vehicles.
Today, the Ram emblem endures as a badge-driven symbol of the Ram Trucks lineup, while the literal hood ornament is mostly a historical footnote except on select classics and restorations.
The modern era and legacy
Today’s Ram Trucks carry the ram head as a bold grille emblem, part of a broader corporate identity that treats Ram as a separate brand from Dodge. The hood ornament, once a defining feature, is rarely seen on new vehicles but remains a cherished piece of automotive history for collectors and museums.
Collectors and restorers frequently seek original or reproduction hood ornaments for vintage Dodge vehicles, underscoring the enduring fascination with the era when the ram head rode proudly on the hood.
Summary
The Ram hood ornament began in the 1930s as a distinctive Dodge emblem, symbolizing power and resilience. Over the decades, safety concerns and branding shifts led to its decline as a dealer-installed hood ornament. In the modern era, the ram head survives most prominently as a grille badge associated with Ram Trucks, while the hood ornament itself remains primarily a piece of vintage history and collector interest.
What does a Ram's head symbolize?
In the ancient Near East, and from earliest times throughout the Mediterranean, the ram was associated with powerful divinities and heroic figures, wealth and the elite, and sacrifice.
Does the Dodge logo have a meaning?
While the logo looks similar to the Star of David, the Dodge brothers were not Jewish, and it is believed to represent the Greek letter delta, one for each brother, interlocked to show their closeness.
What's the story behind the Ram logo?
However, what you might not know is that the concept goes back to the earliest days of the founding of Dodge as a brand. True to the name, the Ram logo was inspired by a charging ram, or a bighorn male sheep, which is often seen as imposing, unstoppable, or dominant.
What year did Dodge put the Ram on the hood?
1932
However, the leaping ram first appeared as a hood decoration on Dodge trucks and cars as early as 1932.
