He led a battle for chryslers survival that made his name a symbol of integrity, knowhow, and guts for millions of americans. Jul 03, 2019 lee iacocca retired from chrysler in 1992 and would go on to lead other projects like the restoration of the statue of liberty. Lee iacocca, mustang mastermind and tireless chrysler savior. Jul 17, 2019 as both a former owner of a classic mustang 1967 and the current owner of a chrysler 300 2007, i have plenty of reason to respect and appreciate mr. This book is an excellent demonstration of how a business is built on people a lesson that is. In part 2, the ford story, iacocca tells of his triumph of the mustang and his climb to. He followed this with another book, where have all the leaders gone 2007. Lee iacocca, visionary automaker who led both ford and. Before leaving iacoccas office, i was given a copy of a new book, heart soul detroit, conversations with and photos of dozens of famous people who defined their careers in the city. Jan 20, 2008 this is an autobiography of lee lido iacocca, an outstanding leader of the american automobile industry, an american legend, who many urged to run for president of the country. An autobiography with william novak, and where have all the leaders. Lee iacoccas life and career, in pictures, biography business insider. Former chrysler ceo lee iacocca has died at age 94 abc news.
Kohk october 15, 1924 july 2, 2019 was an american automobile executive best known for the development of ford mustang and pinto cars, while at the ford motor company in the 1960s, and for reviving the chrysler corporation as its ceo during the 1980s. Lido anthony lee iacocca is an american businessman known for engineering the ford mustang and ford pinto cars, being let go from ford motor company, and his revival of the chrysler corporation in the 1980s. Lee iacocca is a compelling and an easy to read book. Though many names are associated with the ford mustangs extraordinary halfcentury run, the irrepressible lee iacocca.
Flag promotion traveled to dearborn for a key presentation by lee iacocca. Although the mustang wasnt his idea nor his design, he became the cars auteur, shepherding. Limitededition ford mustang iacocca to cross the auction block. Former chrysler ceo lee iacocca, who became a folk hero.
Limitededition ford mustang iacocca to cross the auction. Our success continued into the 70s, but by the end of the decade henry ford ii and i could no longer coexist. Lee iacocca, the autoindustry titan who saved chrysler from bankruptcy and launched the ford mustang, has died. Apr, 2011 lee iacocca is the former president of ford motor company and chrysler corporation and a bestselling author. In this book, iacocca reveals the situations he faced and the management magic he performed to make both companies into good performers. Quotations by lee iacocca, american businessman, born october 15, 1924. Detroit lee iacocca, the auto executive and master pitchman who put the mustang in fords lineup in the 1960s and became a corporate folk hero when he. Funeral service held for automotive giant lee iacocca. On this day in 1978, ford motor company chairman henry ford ii fires lee iacocca as fords president, ending years of tension between the two men born to an immigrant family in pennsylvania in. Though many names are associated with the ford mustang s extraordinary halfcentury run, the irrepressible lee iacocca. Jul 03, 2019 starting in the chester, pennsylvania, regional sales office, iacocca was soon a rising star at ford. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including iacocca.
Even though this was written almost 30 years back,this provides a window to the auto industry in a manner which is relevant even today. The history of lee iacocca, his journey from ford to chrysler, the government bailout, the rise of the iconic chrysler k platform and more. As both a former owner of a classic mustang 1967 and the current owner of a chrysler. An autobiography with william novak, and where have all the leaders gone. Lee iacocca was the president of ford motor company and chairman of the chrysler corporation. Lee iacocca, the auto executive and master pitchman who put the mustang in fords lineup in the 1960s and became a corporate folk hero when he resurrected chrysler 20 years later, has died in. Jul 03, 2019 detroit lee iacocca, the auto executive and master pitchman who put the mustang in fords lineup in the 1960s and became a corporate folk hero when he resurrected chrysler 20 years later, has. He was married to darrien earle, peggy johnson and mary kathryn mccleary. Lee iacocca, a star ceo who led ford and saved chrysler, has. He spends his time traveling, giving speeches, and supporting the iacocca foundation, which funds research for a cure for diabetes.
Despite his busy professional life, lee was determined to balance his responsibilities at the office with those at home. Iacocca marries mary mccleary, a receptionist at a ford motor co. Lido anthony lee iacocca was an american automobile executive best known for the development of ford mustang and pinto cars, while at the ford motor company in the 1960s. Iacocca was a prolific hitmaker, doing more with less than perhaps any car executive of his time. The automotive industry is loaded with stories of people with humble beginnings that slowly climbed the ranks, and eventually changed the landscape of the business forever. The 1965 ford mustang was unveiled to hundreds of reporters by lee iacocca at the new york worlds fair on april, 1964. Iacocca assistant learns of automotive lineage the. Lee iacocca, ford and chrysler exec, dead at age 94 obituary.
One of iacoccas accomplishments was helping to bring the iconic mustangan affordable, stylish sports carto the market in 1964. Jul 03, 2019 lee iacocca, the auto executive and master pitchman who put the mustang in fords lineup in the 1960s and became a corporate folk hero when he resurrected chrysler 20 years later, has died in bel. Iacocca authored or coauthored several books, including iacocca. An autobiography is lee iacoccas best selling autobiography, coauthored. Lee iacocca, star ceo who led ford, saved chrysler, has. He helped shape ford into the number two us auto maker and then saved chrysler from going out of business. Former chrysler ceo lee iacocca, who became a folk hero for. First, he helped ford f develop the iconic mustang sports car. Detroit ap lee iacocca, the auto executive and master pitchman who put the mustang in fords lineup in the 1960s and became a corporate folk hero when he resurrected chrysler 20 years later. This is an autobiography of lee lido iacocca, an outstanding leader of the american automobile industry, an american legend, who many urged to run for president of the country.
The son of italian immigrants, lee iacocca rose spectacularly through the ranks. The book was an overnight sensation and proved popular in all social strata and in. Legendary american businessman lee iacocca passed away this. Starting in the chester, pennsylvania, regional sales office, iacocca was soon a rising star at ford. Lee iacocca, the businessman president who wasnt politico.
Lee iacocca looks back at the 1964 sensation that was ford. Iacocca meets with the young real estate developer, donald trump, at his offices in new york in 1987. In the office, michael and donna discuss the book at happy hour. Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan, or so the saying goes. From his first gig as a student engineer at ford motor, all. Lee iacocca had an unusual surname so much so that, even at the. I end up buying the autobiography of mustangs dad lee iacocca, the guy who. Lee iacocca retired from chrysler in 1992 and would go on to lead other projects like the restoration of the statue of liberty. Lee iacocca, an ambitious immigrants son and salesman extraordinaire.
He served as president and ceo of chrysler from 1978 and additionally as chairman from 1979, until his retirement at the end of 1992. This wellwritten book is iacoccas account of his typically italian upbringing in the us, his rise through the ranks of ford to become its president, and. Dec 29, 2019 iacocca was a prolific hitmaker, doing more with less than perhaps any car executive of his time. Lee iacocca was born on october 15, 1924 in allentown, pennsylvania, usa as lido anthony iacocca. Lee iacocca, visionary automaker who led both ford and chrysler. The 1960s were an incredible period for us at the company, marking the launch of the ford mustang and lincoln continental mark iii, among others. Lee iacocca, chryslers onetime savior, has died at age 94. Lee iacocca, star ceo who led ford, saved chrysler, has died. As manager of the companys philadelphia office, he devised 56 for 56. The former ford executive helped thrust the pony car into production, and eventually to legendary status.
Lee iacocca, the mastermind behind the ford mustang and the straighttalking captain of chryslers historic u. Jun 06, 2017 the history of lee iacocca, his journey from ford to chrysler, the government bailout, the rise of the iconic chrysler k platform and more. Lee iacocca, most dominant auto industry figure since henry. Detroit ap lee iacocca, the auto executive and master pitchman who put the mustang in fords lineup in the 1960s and became a corporate folk hero when he. Fired at the age of 54 by henry ford,after serving the presidency for 8 years,iacocca doesnt sit back and play golf. From his first gig as a student engineer at ford motor, all the way up to chief executive at. Lee iacocca, mustang mastermind and tireless chrysler. Lee iacocca, father of the ford mustang who later rescued. He was an actor, known for reagan 2011, late night with david letterman 1982 and liberty weekend 1986. He was the only executive in modern times to preside over the operations of two of the big three automakers, ford and chrysler. Lee iacocca, most dominant auto industry figure since. Lee iacocca is an american automobile executive best known for spearheading the development of ford mustang and pinto cars, while at the ford motor company in the 1960s, and then later for reviving the chrysler corporation as its ceo during the 1980s.
Proceeds from iacoccas first book went into a foundation set up to combat the disease. By 1949, he was a zone manager out of wilkesbarre, visiting dealers and learning the business. Lido anthony iacocca born october 15, 1924, american. He was father of the mustang, midwife to the minivan and rescuer of chrysler corp. Lee iacocca, car executive, 19242019 financial times. Feb 26, 2018 for those of you unfamiliar with lee iacocca, hes essentially the man behind the mustang. Lee iacocca, the quintessential brash ceo of the 1980s, revamped the american automotive industry. Aug 08, 2011 lee iacocca, the quintessential brash ceo of the 1980s, revamped the american automotive industry. Iacocca helped create the ford mustang, brought out the minivan saved the. Lee iacocca, an allentown native and lehigh university graduate, who developed the mustang and pinto while at ford motor company and later rescued chrysler in the 1980s, died tuesday morning.
And after reading this bestselling autobiography of his, i respect and admire lee just that much more. Jul 03, 2019 lee iacocca died tuesday at the age of 94. An autobiography is the fascinating story of lee iacocca, a business legend. As both a former owner of a classic mustang 1967 and the current owner of a chrysler 300 2007, i have plenty of reason to respect and appreciate mr. Iacocca, 59, came to chrysler in november 1978 and rescued the automaker from nearbankruptcy. He even teamed up with kirk kerkorian in 1995 to take a run at once. Lee iacocca, a star ceo who led ford and saved chrysler. Jul 28, 2019 on this day in 1978, ford motor company chairman henry ford ii fires lee iacocca as fords president, ending years of tension between the two men born to an immigrant family in pennsylvania in. Lee iacocca had an unusual surname so much so that, even at the height of his fame, his employees devised a mnemonic to help them spell it right. Though ford is filled with influential men and women throughout its 100plusyear history, lee iacocca stands out amongst the crowd. He and mary had two daughters, kathryn and lia, who truly completed the iacocca family. Iacocca assistant learns of automotive lineage the denver post. In his classic hardhitting style, he tells us how he changed the automobile industry in. Iacocca was an auto executive and master pitchman who put the mustang in fords lineup in the 1960s and become a corporate folk hero when he resurrected chrysler 20 years later.
856 417 854 1616 704 212 272 667 1278 1186 518 112 43 1609 1681 882 1144 508 691 970 247 1430 611 857 951 358 392 806 1611 1146 484 1410 1374 965 528 815 983 253 1093 422