Introduction: A Symbol Woven from Faith and Speed
Supercar logos tend to evoke power, aggression, elegance — the prancing horse, the raging bull, the charging stallion, etc. But Lanzante Limited, a British design and automotive name with motorsport pedigree, chose a different path. The company has embraced the image of Lord Ganesha — a revered Hindu deity — as its badge. It’s a striking choice, one that bridges spiritual symbolism, cross-cultural friendship, and automotive artistry.
Who is Lanzante? Roots in Motorsport, Mastery & Evolution
Lanzante is based in West Sussex, England. What started in the 1970s with restoring classic sports cars gradually evolved into something much more ambitious. Over decades, Lanzante made its mark by managing and transforming elite cars — from classic restorations to bespoke hypercar conversions. Their defining motorsport moment came when a McLaren F1 GTR under Lanzante’s management won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. That win cemented their reputation for turning great machines into legends.
The Ganesha Badge: Meaning, Myth & Motive
Using Lord Ganesha as a badge is a bold statement. In Hindu tradition, Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, the patron of beginnings, wisdom, and prosperity. For a company that constantly pushes performance boundaries — designing, engineering, racing — the symbolism is apt.
- Wisdom & foresight: qualities essential for innovation and engineering excellence.
- New beginnings: Lanzante’s evolution from restorations & aftermarket conversions to creating its own hypercar.
- Overcoming challenges: Whether in development or racing, an emblem of resilience helps define the brand.
What makes it more intriguing is that Lanzante has no traditional cultural connection to India, yet they adopted this spiritual symbol. That adoption itself has a story tied to personal relationships.
Friendship & Faith: George Harrison’s Role
The story threads back to George Harrison, of The Beatles — a musician profoundly influenced by Indian spirituality. Harrison incorporated Indian musical instruments, philosophy, and symbols into his works. In a conversation with Paul Lanzante, Harrison suggested Ganesha would be an auspicious symbol for the company — representing strength, clarity, and fortune. Over time, that suggestion evolved from idea to identity.
The 95-59: Where Heritage Meets Hypercar
In 2025, Lanzante unveiled their first in-house hypercar: the 95-59. The name itself honors legacy — “95” for the year of their Le Mans triumph, “59” for the number the winning McLaren carried.
Some standout features:
- Central driving position, flanked by passengers — recalling the McLaren F1 layout.
- An 850-hp twin-turbo V8 engine, pushing performance to super-hyper levels.
- Full carbon-fibre monocoque, advanced aerodynamics — even fighter jet inspiration in the design.
- Limited production: only 59 units, making it not just fast, but rare.
And, on its nose, the Ganesha badge — now more than decoration, becoming emblematic of Lanzante’s values.
More Than Metal: Cultural Impact & Emotional Resonance
A logo is more than what you paint onto a car. Logos become symbols — they carry meaning beyond horsepower and chassis. Lanzante’s Ganesha logo does several things:
- It honors spirituality in a realm dominated by mechanical prowess.
- It disrupts the norm: most supercar emblems lean into animals, shields, letters — a deity is rare.
- It establishes an emotional bridge: for people in India (and elsewhere), seeing a familiar spiritual figure on a globally respected hypercar feels like representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why Ganesha?
A: Inspired by George Harrison’s suggestion to Paul Lanzante. Ganesha symbolizes wisdom, beginnings, and overcoming challenges — qualities that resonated with Lanzante’s vision.
Q: What is the Lanzante 95-59?
A: Lanzante’s first in-house hypercar, combining their motorsport pedigree with modern hypercar performance and design.
Q: How does Lanzante’s motorsport legacy feed into this car?
A: Their Le Mans victory (1995), their experience converting track cars into road-legal hypercars, and their deep engineering know-how all lead up to building the 95-59.
Q: How many will be made?
A: Only 59 units.
Q: What’s special about the design?
A: It has a central driving seat, advanced materials, aerodynamics inspired by jets — merging heritage with cutting-edge tech.