Allentown native Lee Iacocca, who became a legend at both Ford and Chrysler car companies, turns 93 on Sunday.
Of course, much is known about one of American’s most famous businessmen. Here are a few lesser-known facts:
1. His name isn’t Lee
Lido is the name on his birth certificate. His parents were Italian immigrants, and his father, Nicola, had fond memories of visiting Venice and its seaside island resort known as “the Lido.”
2. A love for cars runs in the family
His father, Nicola, bought one of the first Fords in Allentown, a Model T. He then started U-Drive-It, one of the country’s first car-rental companies. Lee’s sister remembered of her brother: “He was always interested in cars, even as a child. Henry Ford was his idol.”
3. He was interested in psychology at Lehigh
Iacocca began classes at Bethlehem’s Lehigh University in 1942. He wrote and edited for the student newspaper and took a number psychology and abnormal psychology classes. Mostly he studied engineering. He graduated in only three years with an A average and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.
4. He’s the father of Mustang, minivan — and Pinto
Perhaps the high point of his career was leading the development of the sporty Mustang, which has remained a big seller since it rolled out in 1965. Then in 1984 he created the first minivan at Chrysler, which still dominates the market. But Iacocca also was responsible in 1971 for the Ford Pinto, whose fuel tank could be ruptured and catch fire in a rear collision.
5. He appeared on “Miami Vice”
“Miami Vice,” starring Don Johnson, was one of the hottest TV shows of the 1980s. Iacocca took time off from running Chrysler to make a cameo appearance in a 1986 episode. Using his given name, he played a park commissioner named Lido.
mike.hirsch@mcall.com
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