These Are The Top 10 LEGENDARY Cars Lee Iacocca Created!
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- čas přidán 4. 07. 2019
- ( www.TFLcar.com ) Sadly, Lee Iacocca recently passed away at the age of 94, after leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest legends in the automotive industry. We count down some of the most significant cars Ford and Chrysler built with Lee Iacocca at the helm.
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I rented a K-Car when I was on a business trip in Texas and was actually impressed with the roadability and comfort as I was driving back and forth from Waco to Dallas.
I was fortunate enough to meet him twice. I worked for a full line Chrysler dealer, in Michigan, from 1985 to 2000. For several years I had the highest fix it right score for any technician in our dealer group. The first time I met him was at a awards banquet where he presented me with a award for Superior Customer Satisfaction. The second time was when Chrysler opened their new national technical training center in Auburn Hills. Being the number one fix it right guy has it's perks and I got to be there for the grand opening.
The lacocca era Voyager is honestly one of the best driving cars I've ever driven, leaf springs and all. Obviously no match for fancy luxury and performance cars, but as far as regular consumer cars it's very impressive.
Iacocca was not fired by Ford because of the Pinto. Henry Ford II felt threatened by Iacocca's bold style of running the business and wanted to take him down. The Pinto remained a strong seller even after its bad press. The Mustang II should have been mentioned- Iacocca was proud of it and it did sold incredibly well for Ford. I think giving him him credit Mitsubishi models with Chrysler badges is a stretch. Chrysler was doing that before he got there.
Thank You! Lee Iacocca, for bringing us the Ford Mustang the Chrysler Minivans and the last of his baby's the Chrysler LH cars the Chrysler LHS the Chrysler New Yorker the Chrysler Concorde Dodge Intrepid and Eagle Vision! And thank you for this video, his memory will always live on every time I start my 1990 Chrysler Imperial my 1997 Dodge Intrepid!
The LH cars were actually in development at American Motors Corporation. Chrysler continued the development whe they bought AMC for the Jeep brand.
He was also behind the Lincoln Continental Mark III. Don't forget the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Yes he was behind the March 3
It's reported that he told the designers to put a Rolls Royce grill on a Thunderbird. The Lincoln Continental Mark III was born.
Lets not forget the Ford Granada/Mercury Monarch/Lincoln Versailles. They were under appreciated, but sold over two million examples.
They were what Hollywood calls a "four-quadrant" hit. Most of Iacocca's success came with cars aimed squarely at his own generation *OR* at the leading edge of Boomers; the Galaxie LTD, Mark III and both Imperial revivals for the former, the Mustang and minivans for the latter. The Granada was something empty-nest near retirees could go to from that LTD without feeling like they were moving down and their kids who were pushing 30 could come to from a beater '65 Mustang or aircooled VW and feel like real grownups.
AMC/Jeep was looked down on by most. Lee knew what he wanted with it! AMC like it or not was a pioneer in all wheel drive. THE FIRST CROSS OVER WAS the AMC EAGLE! In regards to the minivan, there was a 10 month waiting list just to get one in the day! All cars in the 80's at Chrysler used the K car platform, pure genius on Lee's part
Apt video-thanks guys. What made him memorable was the level of patriotic drive to innovate and promote which was commonplace in the world that he came from but that he clung to long after the others but that he seemed to maintain all the way to the end.
First of all, thank you guys for doing this great video. Lee deserves the greatest respect and admiration, not only from the automotive industry, but from every USA citizen. This man saved the jobs of thousands of working parents by measuring and taking risks. His decisions brought food to thousands of homes during decades. He is one, if not the greatest, columns of the American economic foundations. If there is a heaven, he is there.
The K-car had enormous success AND INFLUENCE as now all manufacturers use that concept of a platform that many more models get built on.
Great tribute to a very influential man...like him or not. Btw, I had no idea Andre’s aunt is Sarah Palin! Now it all makes sense!! 😂
Thank you goes to TFL, and Nathan and Andre for bringing us this 'tribute' to a top shelf man of the automotive world.
I owned a 84 Chrysler Laser, black/black, leather, 5 speed manual and 2.2 turbo. That was a fun car. If you don’t know what the Laser was it was the luxury version of the Dodge Daytona.
here's one
A friend of mine was a salesman in 1984 for Chrysler and the Mini van was far and away the biggest hit they ever had, even when they fell apart people came back again and bought another one even though they knew the transmissions were crap they loved the 3.0 V6 that was made by Mitsubishi and loved the roominess and there was nothing else like it.
He largely inherited the K car, or at least the original Aries/Reliant from former management - he sold it to Congress to get the bailout money to put it in production, but the development was done. His genius was improving profit-per-unit by treating it like a plain burger he could top in dozens of different ways, as he had done with the Falcon 20 years before.
Flash from the past. My parents were huge Chrysler fans back in the 80s. I felt like I lived at the Dodge dealer. My parents had an Aries, a Caravan LE and a Plymouth Sundance throughout the 80s
I'm so glad that you spoke of the K-car's. My first car was an 86 Chrysler New Yorker. I bought it in 1997, it had been stored and seldom driven. I loved it and still miss it.
He was a legend. Who would have thought that redesigning the Ford falcon into the mustang would create one of America's most notorious vehicles? Rest in piece sir.
What a person of innovation and tremendous foresight! I used to really like listening to him in the the media as he 'took on' the automotive world. and set it back on it's ass.
Good bless you Lee Iacocca and of course, when you have time,..rest in peace!!!
Remember his speech to the Congress to get the loan guaranty secured?
He was a visionary of his time. So many iconic cars
I read a book a while back about the K car and the whole process if what car manufacturers go through from the beginning to the end. Like or hate a manufacturer, it's amazing the amount of time and effort they put into building cars.
Carroll Shelby was involved with the development of Chrysler 2.2L turbo engine. There is a video on youtube "tribute to Shelby Dodge" cars where you can hear him talking about a supercharged Shelby Charger. Being a Turbo-Mopar collector, I got the chance to meet Bob Marsh who worked at the Shelby facility in Whitier California during the Dodge years. He had a lot stories about that era. And recently got to meet Carroll Shelby's son Aaron at a Shelby car show in Dallas and he mentioned to us that it was the Omni GLHS that he learned to drive with.
Loved my Dodge Caravan from the 80s. Was a great practical family van. Lasted me many years while my kids grew up. We took many family trips in it. I was also a big fan of the Pinto. Just don't hit me in the rear!
Lee was supposedly fired because he and Henry Ford Jr disagreed about the company’s product lineup and direction. One of those products was the minivan idea that he wanted but Henry hated. When he was fired and went to Chrysler he took the minivan idea with him and the rest is history.
Correct. And as per Lee's autobiography Henry Jr. was paranoid of Lee's abilities and success and was convicted that Lee was out to take control of his family business from him.
He also took the Minivan's lead engineer with him from Ford to Chrysler.
A true America hero 🇺🇸
What an amazing career he had. He certainly lived a full life. I owned a 1989 Chrysler Lebaron convertible and a 1990 Plymouth Sundance 5-door. My mom owned a 1992 Plymouth Acclaim. All extended platform K car derivative successors. All 3 had the 2.5L 4cyl. and 3-spd Torquflite auto. Anemic, but excellent powertrain. The Sundance and Acclaim were extremely well built and reliable. The Lebaron was by far the nicest, but also extremely unreliable. I do miss those cars for their simplicity and cheap maintenance and repairs.
I learned to drive in a dual brake K Car that my High School had for driver's ED. The styling was plain but it wasn't a bad running car as I remember.
In your top 10 Lee a Iacocca videos you stated that he did not get along with Henry Ford Sr. It was his grandson Henry Ford the second that fired him stating "I just don't like you" . Lee hired into Ford in 1946, Henry Ford died in 1947. Very good videos. P.S. when Lee accepted the position to go to Chrysler, he lost all of his benefits and pension from Ford worth millions. They were all made up though by Chrysler.
😐🤨
R.I.P. thank you for all you have done.
You forget the talon awd the first cab forward design Chrysler Lhs and concord
Cab forward design was around before those cars you mentioned. It was a Chrysler selling point for decades. Much like Pontiac wide track, which was around in the fifties but people thought it was something new too
@@caddydaddy84 which ones were out before that
It been a concept since railways, even an engineer in Germany devised it in 1937. But one of the first for vehicles in USA was studebaker. I didn't mean to imply Chrysler did it earlier, just that it was hardly new.
clickamericana.com/eras/1930s/cab-forward-studebaker-trucks-get-around-1936
The LHs came after (and over the objections of) Iacocca.
Don't forget the other contributions Lee Iacocca did for America. He spearheaded the rebuilding & preservation of the statue of Liberty & Ellis Island. A true gift to all Americans. Thanks for everything Lee R.I.P !!!!
I drive an 88 aries daily.they were good cars..and still are.
My grandmother had an 89 Dodge Caravan. My grandmother and aunt took the 6 grandkids, I'm the youngest, all over the country in that van. It's the reason I still prefer road trips over flying. You miss so much cool stuff at 30000+ feet.
He was a real American Hero
I remember back in the day when the U.S. was in a recession and the Chrysler Dealers had a promotion going where they would give you money if you took a test ride. Johnny Carson quipped one night for a joke: "Things are so bad that Lee Iacocca took a test ride at one of his own dealerships for a $100."
I thank Lee for the Ford Pinto. I still drive the one I bought new 40 years ago. The whole fuel tank thing was, to use a pun,way overblown. History has shown it was as safe as other cars of that era, even in regards to fuel system fires, in fact way safer than most Japanese small cars in that regard. While a bit crude by today's standard, it was built with proven components, was reasonably comfortable, and handled quite well.
The K cars is what saved Chrysler. They were actually pretty decent cars, considering they were 4 bangers put out to fight the fake gas crisis.
👍 Awesome job Andre, Nathan and crew! Lido Anthony Iacocca himself would have been proud! Now, do him prouder by finding a way to interview Mark Reuss, Jim Hackett, and Mike Manley; not about Iacocca, but about what effect his influence has on them to hopefully achieve the kind of greatness he did. Just a suggestion. Eat more carrots, too!
🐰
Reports range from 27 to 180 deaths as a result of rear-impact-related fuel tank fires in the Pinto, but given the volume of more than 2.2 million vehicles sold, the death rate was not substantially different from that of vehicles by Ford's competitors.
Interesting video
I owned a Ford Aerostar and it was easily one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned and I've owned Chevy, Dodge, Jeep, Porsche, Mercedes, Cadillac...
The Fairmont was a whole lot more important than whatever that Mitsubishi thing was. The whole K-Car playbook started 3 years earlier at Ford.
Fairmont led to Fox-body Mustang, Second gen Granada, all Thunderbirds 1980-1996, mid-size LTD, the Mercury twins...
He wasn't afraid to take chances, get messy and make mistakes. The Pinto was a good car, it just was engineered wrong. But the Mustang and the Chrysler minivans will be his legacy. Rest in eternal peace Mr. Iococca, you've done well, and thank you for your innovation.
I love the pinto. It would be awesome with a 2.3 ecoboost.
he change the car bussines game and left us a great car history, r.i.p iacocca
He was also involved with the first ford bronco to go after the international scout. But ford wanted to do build it similar to the ford f- series & said no were building it different. Than after GM came out with the k5 blazer which was basically the same original idea that ford had. Using the same or similar platform & chassis as a truck.
I own a 1981 Dodge Colt & 1972 Ford Pinto Runabout. Thanks Lee!
I Thought he also brought back the Lincoln with the MK III.
The conquest was way ahead of it's time the talon as well
Good work
Enjoyed your video
Mustang fan in Texas.
I agree Mustang fan from Vermont.
RIP Lee
What an amazing life and cool car guy! He was truly blessed to have been involved in all of these developments, should we all be so lucky.
The Dodge Viper has been, and always will be, a dream car of mine. I actually tried to buy one several years ago but the person selling it online never responded to my messages and, alas, I never got one (at least not yet). One day I hope to be an owner of one.
great job guys. well done.
After being fired from Ford, Lee Iacocca brought his K-car and minivan idea to Chrysler. Henry Ford II didn't get along with Lee Iacocca and fired him. My father had a 1986 Dodge Carvan
Henry the second was a really stubborn man. The failure of the Pinto was his chance to fire Iacocca (Henry the second was afraid of being austed).
Awesome collection of cars! Who remembers the Goodyear vr50's on the GLHS? Man would love to own a GLHS now.
Hey! You TFL Truck guys forgot the best K Car of all!!! The K “Truck” !!!!! The Dodge Rampage, there was even a Shelby version! Hahaha
I owned a 1984 Dodge Rampage 2.2, automatic, with the factory two piece plastic tonneau cover. That thing went half way across Canada and back several times. I once hauled 1400 lbs in the back all the way out to Vancouver, BC from Winnipeg, MB, 1437 miles! The mountains were definitely a workout, but it did it! Developed a leak that pooled water in the well behind the passenger seat,,, hahaha. Finally traded it in when the rack and pinion failed. It goes with a surprise! The rack LOCKs up, leaving you freaking out and hanging on until you get it stopped. It won’t turn, always when you are in a corner. I had a buddy take out a few hundred feet of fence with his Dodge Shadow turbo when the freeway turned and he couldn’t, we measured and he flew about 60 feet when he ramped off the corner on the freeway! Hahaha, took him days to get over it.
I really did love that anemic, slow little beast I had (needed a turbo) but cornered like it was on rails. Sold it to a Dodge Mechanic with 165,000 km (100,000 ish miles).
If I could find a really nice one again, C/S Turbo version, I would put it in the quirky part of my new auto collection.
Thanks guys! I remember every car mentioned, only owned 1 version, “Rampage”. See you fellers agin!
I’m surprised the Dodge Daytona wasn’t mentioned.
Rip:Lee Iacocca...the savior of chrysler with the mopar K Car et al
..
Well that's funny Nathan I met Mr DeLorean in LAX in 1988. In the bathroom no less.
John jay drott Awesomeness!
We lost a legend RIP
Forgot Dodge Dakota convertible/Shelby pickup
Absolutely one of the best also responsible for the Dodge Intrepid Chrysler Concorde an Eagle Vision the car that saved Chrysler again in 1993
This guy Made America Great! Nice tribute!
I’ve read that the Ford family was like royalty Lee was unlike that he was down to earth and approachable the employees loved him
Chrysler TC by Maserati... you sure they designed it to look like the Chrysler LeBaron? Or did Chrysler have the TC commissioned way before the LeBaron, liked the style, and then designed the new LeBarons to look like it?
I learned to drive a manual transmission in a Pinto when I was 16. Good times. The car survived my teenage torture and so did I.
You forgot the Dodge Dakota your personal favorite
Ford Pinto aka "Lee's car"
Rip lee
Amazing that Chrysler had turbo engines in EVERY car they made and they could not hook into the compact / import drag racing and aftermarket community. Import drag racing and tuners would have died to get the ability to sell a tuner, injectors, turbo, intake, exhaust and other goodies to one or two engines that encompass 90% of a companies production cars. The parts yards, the performance companies, factory ad ons and factory trim levels would have been a complete domination of the market in the 80's -= 90's...
Read his book. Great book.
The Mitsubishi starion was a monster
I unsubscribed from Scotty long ago. He's coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs ( i.e. anything Toyota) and lives in the last century. Lee Iacocca was a truly great American.
yeah idk i believe a lot of what he says but the only car he thinks is good is a 94 celica VIN ADSF32434095 and its sitting in his drive way.
of course a Chrysler nut would hate scotty...i had a guy with a Chevy Cavalier swearing at me one day because my Toyota didnt need any auto parts. that was 12 years ago and i still havnt needed any...sorry little pete, heres a gift certificate for autozone. you'll need it! HAHAHAHAHA...CANT BEAT 'EM, JOIN 'EM, I SAY
I have an extreme fondness for Mr. Iacocca as the very first car I ever purchased was a 1969 Mustang coupe with a 351w V8 and back in 1983 I was able to get one with 80k miles for $2300. Very much miss that car but I did learn about the birth of the Mustang and his critical involvement with the project.
you forgot the Lincoln mark 3
Jeez guys!! The Pinto, the Maverick, the Granada, the Lincoln Mklll, the Fairmont, the Mustang ll. And as to the Pinto. 3 million were made and only 13 burned. Overall safety rating was slightly behind the Toyota Corolla and way ahead of the VW Beetle.
You could make your own list, Russ.
His last name stood for: I Am Chairman Of Chrysler Corporation America... IACOCCA
Talk about fate!
The aerostar was based on the ranger and not a car. The windstar was however based off the Taurus.
The Aerostar was not based of the Ford Ranger, it shared major components like the brakes, front suspension, wheels, and powertrain
@@anthonywebber2211 the aerostar may not have the same chassis but it is considered an rbv in the ranger community. Also considered Rbv's are the bronco 2 and the explorer
I see mustang clicked fast
If I'm not mistaken of all the old school American engineering geniuses, Bob Lutz is now the only one left. Lee Iacocca, John Delorean, Carol Shelby... there all a part of automotive history now.
Man, Andre is so good. America is glad to have such a patriotic Russian.
Scotty Kilturd does not approve of this video.
Scotty Kilmer is such a confused lunatic. He criticizes Lee Iaccoca and the US auto industry in general for resisting government regulation that makes cars more and more costly and complex, but he considers himself a genius because he drives a rickety 25 year Celica that would fold like a tin can and kill him if it were hit by any modern American vehicle.
94 celica is not a safe car. Chrysler/dodge /ram has the safest vehicles because they are always parked at the shop
@@92akucaballero97 good one😂👍
Because Scotty is one of the 3 wise men. He gives us the gift of helping us keep our money.
@@Josh-nt3fo From personal experience...most American cars are in the shop.for repairs. Toyota seems to be more on the road and running...i know this from personal experience. American cars are junk
Where’s the bronco
Gotta say I loved my Mercury Bobcat Bicentennial Edition with the Red White and Blue strip kit especially on the bottom Louvers. It was an amazing car I owned for 11 years. I regret that I can not own one today. It was so much better than the pieces of shit built today.
my little brother bought my dad's Xerox Corp Company Dodge Caravan for cheap (a Leaseway rental contract). After about 3 or so years with my dad, then with my bro, that minivan was totally unbreakable. We used it to haul all kinds of cargo all over
(horrible) Puerto Rican roads. It was our rock band's move around vehicle. It just kept going and going. We loved it.
And BTW I owned four K cars and they were very reliable, my Dodge Dynasty LE was the most comfortable car I ever owned including an Imperial.
Was the Pinto related to the late-70s Mustang II or the Maverick? The photos you showed made me wonder about that.
Mustang
Lee hated what the mustang had become and he was responsible for the mustang 2. I've never really heard of many people loving them other than hot rodders using the front suspension on their builds
@@carrollshelby8690 I'm aware its II but 2 is easier to type quickly.
And the gas crisis was the excuse lee needed to get the mustang back to the economy car he originally debuted and preferred over the luxury muscle barge it became in 71-73.
@@danatkinson6698 There was nothing muscle-y about the smog engines from that period.
@@edt.9218 that's why they use the front suspension geometry, it was pretty good for what they wanted to achieve and it fit. Much the same as guys are using the 03-11 crown vic chassis and suspension on 60s and 70s ford hot rod trucks
You forgot the Shelby Charger on the mid '80s
The TC was supposed to come out before the Lebaron and ended up being delayed.
FORD BRONCO
So is the meeting of Nathan and Lee the reason for his GLH driving style?
Hey guys don't diss the Pinto i have one for 14 years did minimal maintenance brakes and tires oil changes never got a speeding ticket or ticket one of the greatest cars ever owned to put this in it
Issue with 10 is Ford learned they didn't so let's give it more hp
Don't forget the Pinto!
I remember him leading the charge to collect pennies to restore the statue of liberty for it's centennial anniversary in 1986.
Was he responsible for the Falcon, the car the Mustang was based on? my dad had one assembled in Australia big seller out there, and scondly Ford I read knew the vunerability of the placement on the fuel tank on the Pinto, but did a risk analysis of the fact knowing they could catch on fire in an accident and decided to go ahead given the cost vs risk of doing an engineering change
"If you can find a better car, buy it!" They don't make corporate leaders like him anymore.
Nathan tells stories like an old grandpa lol.