1. The Heritage of the Ram Hood Ornament
Ram Truck Hood Ornament Patent: The Ram hood ornament is a symbol deeply rooted in the brand’s identity and automotive history. Dating back to the 1930s, Dodge vehicles featured a ram’s head as a hood ornament—a motif that continued into the early 1950s, reflecting the ram’s strength and forward momentum. With the introduction of the first-generation Dodge Ram pickup in 1981, the ram hood ornament made a comeback on select 4×4 models, reinforcing the brand’s rugged image.
Hood ornaments originally served practical functions—like disguising radiator caps or acting as coolant temperature gauges—but evolved into increasingly ornamental badges of identity. Regulations and safety concerns caused their decline by the late 20th century: European rules and U.S. safety standards phased out protruding ornaments due to pedestrian risks and aerodynamic inefficiencies.
2. The Patent: Modern Design Meets Nostalgia
In a move that blends heritage with innovation, Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) recently filed and secured a patent for a new multi-faceted, three-dimensional Ram hood ornament. The patent was filed on March 13, 2023, and officially approved by the USPTO on January 14, 2025—granting the company 15 years of protected design rights
This ornament draws inspiration from the classic ram’s head design used in vintage models but modernizes it with a contemporary, angular and sculpted aesthetic, offering both nods to legacy and a forward-looking design language.
3. Debut on the “Traveller”: A Unique Showcase
The first—and currently only—appearance of this new design was on a custom 2022 Ram 2500 “Traveller” Crew Cab 4×4 created in partnership with musician Chris Stapleton. The ornament surfaced as a centerpiece of this one-off build, styled to bridge nostalgic charm (inspired by the 1979 Ram Palomino) with modern craftsmanship and detail
This bespoke debut highlights Stellantis’s strategy: using the ornament as a design statement while gauging interest and setting the stage for possible future rollout to broader production lines, especially in high-end trims like the Limited Longhorn and Limited models
4. Why the Patent Matters—Beyond Mere Design Protection
Patenting this hood ornament isn’t just artisan flare—it’s a strategic move to protect branding and restrict competitive duplication. While patents don’t guarantee production use, they secure exclusivity for an iconic design element tied to Ram’s image
The 15-year coverage means Stellantis is prepared for long-term branding opportunities and possibly establishing a renewed aesthetic signature. It also offers flexibility: whether used as exclusive trim tooling, limited editions, or future mainstream offerings remains to be seen—but the legal groundwork is laid
5. Safety, Regulation, and Historical Context
Hood ornaments have a storied history influenced by design, engineering, and safety regulations. Historically, they served functional and aesthetic roles, with radiator-mounted ornaments doubling as gauges. Over time, external regulations—especially in Europe—drove ornaments toward spring-loaded, retractable designs, like Rolls-Royce’s mascot, to mitigate pedestrian harm.
Given that Ram trucks are rugged, performance-oriented vehicles often used in real-world utility settings, any reintroduction of a hood ornament must account for safety norms and potential regulatory scrutiny. These hurdles may shape whether find their way into production models—and if so, how they’re engineered for compliance and durability.
6. Future Outlook: Will It Return to Production?
The big question—Will Ram really bring back the hood ornament? Industry watchers and fans are optimistic, but cautious. Motor Authority headlines suggest the patent doesn’t guarantee deployment—but it does fuel speculation about a possible stylistic revival
Ram leadership is evolving too. As of December, Tim Kuniskis, former head of Dodge, now leads the Ram brand exclusively—indicating a strategic shift and heightened focus on Ram’s identity. In parallel, Ram’s electrification roadmap is being restructured; high-end trims are taking precedence, and a mid-size Ram pickup is also in consideration
All these signs suggest that a distinctive design element like the hood ornament could re-emerge—especially on premium models or special editions—reinforcing brand heritage while providing a standout visual anchor in a competitive truck market.
Conclusion
The Ram hood ornament patent is more than a legal filing—it’s a cultural statement. It revives a historic branding element, reimagines it with modern flair, and underscores Ram’s deep-rooted identity in automotive design. Whether it becomes a functional feature on tomorrow’s trucks remains uncertain, but the patent secures its place in Ram’s visual legacy.
From nostalgic cues to future styling possibilities, this patented ornament reflects a brand embracing heritage and willing to experiment with standout aesthetics—without losing sight of safety, regulation, and evolving automotive priorities.
Let me know if you’d like to explore comparisons with other revived hood ornaments (like Cadillac or Mercedes), or dive into potential engineering adaptations for safety-compliant designs.
