Hidden Messages from Automakers That Are Tucked Inside Car Designs

There’s a long-running story that workers at old British car factories used to leave behind doodles or even their signatures under interior panels. That was part of the working-class culture back in the 1970s—small, rebellious touches hidden inside the cars they built. Some might say those days are long gone. Not exactly. Automakers still leave hidden messages today—only now it’s done on purpose and out in the open.

Take Opel, for example. Designer Niels Loeb, who has Australian roots, worked on previous-generation models and tucked subtle Easter eggs into cars like the Opel Corsa, Opel Zafira Tourer, and Opel Adam. These small details took the form of white shark silhouettes—a nod to Australia. The idea carried over into newer models like the Opel Crossland X.

Over at Chevrolet, the approach was more practical than playful. Models such as the Chevrolet Orlando and Chevrolet Malibu featured a hidden storage compartment behind the radio, complete with a USB port—less of a message, more of a clever convenience.

Designers at Jeep took things in a more creative direction, especially with the Jeep Renegade. Inside, under the center console, you’ll find a liner stamped with a map of the Mojave Desert—a popular playground for off-road enthusiasts. The same terrain pattern shows up again inside the armrest.

Jeep also pays tribute to its heritage. The iconic Willys MB appears in subtle ways across modern models. Look closely at the headlights and taillights, and you might spot shapes inspired by its classic grille. Tiny silhouettes of the legendary off-roader can also be found along the windshield edges and even on the wheels.

And then there’s a quirky detail: behind the fuel door of the Renegade, a tiny spider graphic greets you with “Ciao, Baby.” What it means? That’s anyone’s guess.

Swedish automaker Volvo added its own touch of personality—and maybe a bit of humor. On the circuit board inside the instrument cluster of the Volvo 850, engineers included tiny moose illustrations, a nod to one of Sweden’s most recognizable animals.

Then there’s Tesla, known for packing its cars with hidden digital features. In the Tesla Model S, entering “007” into a specific system menu transforms the display into a reference to James Bond’s famous submarine car based on the Lotus Esprit. It’s a playful nod that shows even high-tech vehicles can have a sense of humor.