Can You Identify These Logos from Failed Car Brands?

Robin Tyler

Image: Wiki Commons via The Car Spy

About This Quiz

Over the past 130 years, there have been many automakers around the world. 

Some, like Ford, Chevrolet or Chrysler, for example, are incredibly successful and continue to produce many models that are sold around the globe. 

Others, both now and in the past, have started with the best of intentions and the hope to build into a major car brand only to fall by the wayside.

Some have failed quickly, while others have had a long history, only to come to grief due to various factors, taking well-loved models off the market... for good. Normally, this is due to economic factors. Stock market crashes like the Great Depression in the early 1930s and the financial fallout of the crash of 2008 claimed many brands, including long-standing marques. Which, if we are honest, is a little sad.

So onto the task at hand for this quiz. We have lined up several car logos from automakers that have gone bankrupt, been closed by their parent division or just disappeared from the face of the earth. Will you be able to identify them from their logos?

This is not as easy as it may seem. Take your time and good luck!

Can you identify this logo from a now non-existent American automaker?

One of America's great motoring brands, Pontiac formed part of the General Motors group form 1926 until 2010.

This logo belongs to the oldest American automaker, which is now defunct. Can you name it?

Oldsmobile was the oldest American marque by the time its parent company, General Motors, closed the brand in 2004. It was formed in 1897.

Formed by General Motors, this brand was closed in 2010. Can you name it?

A General Motors brand, Saturn was introduced in 1985 as an attempt by the company to compete with the range of Japanese vehicles flooding the U.S. market. After a massive drop in sales, General Motors closed the brand in 2010.

Can you identify this logo from a now closed motor company?

Studebaker was founded in 1852, initially making wagons. Eventually, the company moved onto making motor cars and did so until 1966 when failing sales saw the end of the Studebaker brand.

This logo belongs to _______?

This luxury American motoring brand was established in 1899 in Detroit. It ended in 1958 after sales had significantly dropped during the '50s.

A more modern closure, can you identify this defunct automaker?

It was fun while it lasted. Hummer burst onto the scene in 1992, providing civilian versions of the Humvee military vehicle. The brand was purchased by General Motors in 1998 and eventually closed in 2010 following the global economic crisis of 2008.

This badge belonged to which auto maker?

Part of the Chrysler Corporation, Plymouth was established in 1928 and built vehicles until 2001. Marketed as entry-level vehicles, Plymouth saw sales drop below 200,000 vehicles per annum in the '90s which eventually led to its closure.

A division of Ford, this brand was closed in 2011. Name it.

A division of Ford, Mercury was established in 1938. Ford established the brand to produce premium entry-level cars. Ford Motor Corporation ended the Mercury brand in 2011 to focus on its other two brands, Lincoln and its namesake, Ford.

This defunct brand was responsible for models such as the Goblin and Pacer. Can you name it?

The American Motor Corporation was formed with the merger of Nash and Hudson in 1954. A period of success followed with Renault and then Chrysler buying the company. Sales slowed over time and by 1988, AMC was no more.

This company closed its North American operation in 2012. Name it.

Although Suzuki still manufactures vehicles for markets around the rest of the world, its North American automobile operation closed in 2012 following a massive drop in sales from their peak in 2007.

Name this vehicle brand that closed its doors in 1954.

Based in Detroit, Hudson Motor Car Company was founded in 1909 by Joseph L. Hudson. It produced vehicles until 1954 when it merged with Nash-Kelvinator to form the American Motors Corporation (AMC), although Hudson models were made until 1957.

Name this failed brand associated with Ford.

The Edsel brand, a division of Ford, was short lived. Established in 1957, it lasted until 1960 and failed, primarily on the fact that the Edsel model, named after Henry Ford's son, failed miserably and just didn't sell.

Can you identify this failed brand by their logo?

Established in 1975 by John DeLorean, the DeLorean Motor Company is best known for the failure of the DMC-12, a "supercar" that wasn't super at all. The company went bankrupt in 1982 while the DMC-12, also known as the DMC DeLorean, gained a cult following a few years later thanks to it appearing in the Back to the Future trilogy.

The logo in this image once belonged to _______?

Formed in 1916, Nash ran until 1954 where it merged with Hudson to form the American Motor Corporation. Nash was responsible for a few important firsts in U.S. motoring, including the first seatbelts, first compact car and first muscle car.

Name this defunct brand from the logo in the image, please.

Established in 1928 as part of Chrysler, DeSoto manufactured vehicles in the mid-price range. It was closed by Chrysler in 1961 after selling more than 2 million vehicles worldwide.

This logo belong to which automaker that is now long gone?

Auburn vehicles were produced from 1900 to 1937 and were formed by Charles Eckhart. Unfortunately, the depression saw sales of Auburn model dip and the company folded in 1937.

Name this division of Chrysler that folded in 1999.

Eagle was an American car brand established in 1988. A division of Chrysler, following its purchase of the American Motor Corporation, Eagle folded in 1999.

This defunct company produced America's first sports car way back when. Do you know its name?

A producer of luxury cars, Stutz began in 1911 and lasted to just before World War II, closing its doors in 1939 — a real shame for a company that gave us the first real American sports car.

A recent brand to go under, can you name it from this logo?

Maybach, based in Germany, was formed in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach. The brand lasted until 2012 before it was closed by its parent company, Daimler. It was revived as a sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz in 2014.

Name this European brand that closed in 2012.

Established in 1945, Swedish automakers Saab went bankrupt in 2012. Part of the General Motors brand from 1990 to 2010, the company was sold to Spyker, a Dutch company that ended the brand after sales dropped significantly.

Built to compete with Ferrari, the models of this automaker last only from 1989 to 1993. Name the company, please.

This American company was formed in 1978 and built supercars to compete with the likes of Ferrari. Production of these vehicles took place for only four years, between 1989 and 1993, before the company closed. It was later revived as Vector Motors Corporation.

This brand, although still operating worldwide, does not sell vehicles in the United States. Name them, please.

Although Isuzu still manufactures vehicles for markets around the rest of the world, its North American operation closed in 2008. The brand had initial success with a range of pickups but sales slowed significantly in the 2000s and General Motors eventually dropped the brand.

Are you able to identify this defunct car brand?

Started by Preston Tucker, only 50 of these cars were ever built before Tucker went out of business after having been accused of stock fraud, something of which he was acquitted. The company lasted from 1947 to 1948.

Part of the Auburn group, this marque went out of business in 1937. Can you name it?

Cord vehicles were manufactured between 1929 and 1932 and then from 1936 to 1937. The company was founded by E.L. Cord and formed part of the Auburn group.

Identify this vehicle maker, please.

Founded in 1913 as a maker of engines and race cars, Duesenberg produced passenger vehicles in the United States between 1921 and 1937. Most were luxury models and, following the Depression, a massive drop in sales saw the brand go bankrupt.

The vehicle manufacture shown in this logo is _________?

The iconic Checker taxi cabs are this company's claim to fame. Checker Motors first started out in 1922 and made taxis until 1982. Other than taxicabs, Checker also made a few commercial vehicles.

This automaker started in 1905 and folded in 1936. Can you name it?

British auto manufacturer Sunbeam began making cars in 1901. During World War I, the company made airplane engines but afterward returned to making cars and motorcycles. The last official Sunbeam vehicle was built in 1936 but the marque itself has appeared on other vehicles.

A marque that has come and gone over the years, can you identify it from the logo in the image?

The Rambler brand was associated with the Thomas B. Jefferson company from 1900 until 1914, with Nash from 1950 to 1954, and with AMC from 1954 to 1969. Vehicles with this marque were also produced outside of the United States, for instance, in Australia and New Zealand.

Name this British marque which ceased production in 1970.

The Singer company was originally founded by George Singer in 1874 in England and produced bicycles. From 1901, it entered the automobile business and was the first company to make a smaller version of an already existing car model. The last Singer rolled off the production line in 1970.

Lasting only between 1904 and 1912, can you name this American automaker?

Established in 1904, Corbin was one of America's earliest car makers. The brand didn't last long, folding in 1912.

The automaker this logo belongs to is ______.

Established in England in 1907, the Hillman Motor Company existed until 1931. As with many automakers, the company first started out producing bicycles.

This logo belongs to which defunct car company?

French manufacturer Simca produced vehicles between 1934 and 1970, becoming part of Chrysler Europe.

This automaker produced its last vehicle in 1933. Can you name it?

After John North Willys purchased the Edwards Motor Company in 1913, he moved the operation to Ohio and changed the name to Wilys-Knight. The company produced cars for the American market between 1914 and 1933.

Identify this now-closed automaker, please.

Clément-Talbot produced cars in London from 1903 onward. The brand folded in 1958 only to be revived by Peugeot in 1979 before again disappearing in 1994.

This logo belongs to _________.

Rover started making cars from the early 1900s. The marque lived on independently until 1967, although the Rover name has been used since, for example, as part of Leyland Motors. The name is not currently in use on any vehicles but remains a registered trademark in the hands of Jaguar Land Rover.

This company only produced vehicles for a four-year period. Do you know what it is?

A short-lived brand, Kaiser-Frazer was formed by Henry Kaiser and Joseph Frazer. Their company produced vehicles between 1947 and 1951 before Frazer left the company after disagreements.

Please name the defunct vehicle company associated with this logo.

Based in Buffalo, New York, Pierce-Arrow was an American motor car company that produced models between 1901 and 1938. Most were luxury vehicles, although the company also made motorcycles, fire trucks and bicycles.

Name this auto brand, please.

Founded in 1932, the Auto Union brand fell away in 1969 after a merger with NSU and Audi.

Are you able to identify this logo which formed part of the General Motors group?

Marketed by General Motors, Geo made a number of SUV models as well as smaller cars. These were built between 1989 and 1997, when the models were eventually merged with the Chevrolet line.

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