Last edition, we closed out the series on Ford's popular Mustang. Even as history proved the car to be an enormous success, it may not have even been built had it not been for an ambitious young man from Allentown, Pennsylvania named Lido "Lee" Iacocca. Born in 1924, he grew up in Allentown and graduated with an industrial engineering degree from Lehigh University. Shortly after being hired by Ford's engineering department, Iacocca moved over to the sales and marketing division. He found car sales to be his calling, and in 1956 he instituted a successful sales strategy called "56 for 56". For a monthly payment of 56 dollars, you could purchase a new Ford. Sales increased dramatically, and Iacocca's achievements didn't go unnoticed at Ford. He quickly ascended to upper management, and in 1960, at age 36, he was named vice president of the Ford Division.

Ford Motor Company was trying to revitalize its image, and Iacocca was a perfect fit. He called upon his designers for a fresh new car that appealed to a youthful market, and the Mustang was born. He was involved in several new cars such as the Lincoln Mark lll, and helped modernize the Mercury Division with cars like the Cougar. In 1970, Henry Ford ll promoted Iacocca to president of Ford. He remained president until 1978, but personality clashes with Henry Ford ll proved to be his undoing. Fired from Ford, he found success again at Chrysler. But he will always be remembered as the "father of the Mustang."

Until next time,