p.o. box 53517 broadmead rpo victoria, british columbia ... · more info: racing aug 7. vancouver...
TRANSCRIPT
www.earlyfordv8victoria.com
P.O. Box 53517 Broadmead RPO
Victoria, British Columbia V8X 5K2
Page | 2 JULY 2016
1. Club Executive – contact information.
2. 2016 Club agenda & events.
3. Minutes July 12, 2016 regular meeting
4. Club news – updates, breaking news & BC Auto events
5. Tech talk – V8 members input, Q&A. Suggestions. News.
6. Photos – special interest.
7. Buy & sell – parts, restorations, collections etc.
8. Committees – contacts, functions, updates, help.
9. Fun page – could be anything – members contributing.
10. Miscellaneous – news and other interests.
We sincerely appreciate contributions from EFV8 members and
associates for inclusion in the Rumbles Newsletter
Page | 3 JULY 2016
2016
Position Name Telephone email
President Bill Pritchard
250 656 7029 [email protected]
Vice President Chris
Chown 250 595 0312 [email protected]
Treasurer Jim
Jennings
250 477 5594 [email protected]
Secretary Don Landels
250 588 1300
Directors Dennis
Mounce
250 478 6440 d&[email protected]
Lauri Stevens
250 478 7565 [email protected]
First Past president
Vic Nordstrom
250 652 5631 [email protected]
Page | 4 JULY 2016
Early Ford V8 Club R.G. #109
Victoria, British Columbia
2016 Club Agenda & Events
ACTIVITY AGENDA – January through December
January 12 Regular Club Meeting – at The Well.
February 9 Regular Club Meeting – at The Well
February 20 Shop Tour with John King. Register with Gary Clarke
March 8 Regular Club Meeting – at The Well
April 12 REGULAR CLUB MEETING – 7:30 at The Well.
April 23 SHOP TOUR – Gord Stewart residence
May 10 Regular Club Meeting – at the Well – 7:30 PM.
May 27,28,29 Rock & Roll for Little Souls. Saanich Fire Fighters Car Show.
June 14 Regular Club meeting. 7:30 at the Well.
July 12 Special meeting for F&F 2016. BBQ at Heritage Acres. Plus, regular meeting. Details TBA.
July 17 Fords & Friends Annual Car Show
August 20 Club BBQ. Hosted by Rose & Norrie Spencer. Details by separate email.
September 13 Regular club meeting at the Well
October 1 Shop Tour & BBQ at Vic & Alice Nordstrom’s home. Mega Sale on a large variety of Early Ford parts. Please join us!!
Page | 5 JULY 2016
Meeting Minutes July 12, 2016
Opening: The regular meeting of the Early Ford V8 Club RG 109 was called to order at 7:00 PM
by President Bill Pritchard, at Heritage Acres.
Present: There were 22 members in attendance along with a nice number of spouses. Good to
see new members Lou Williams and Al Wills in attendance. Thank you all for attending.
Approval of Agenda: July 12th agenda was approved unanimously. Distribution at meeting
commencement
Approval of Minutes. Motion to approve June 14th minutes, by Murray Anderson, 2nd Jack
Stidston - Unanimous.
OPEN ISSUES:
BBQ. Reg Ash thanked Susan and Bill on behalf of all in attendance, for the hard work put into the
BBQ prior to the meeting. It was absolutely fantastic and the homemade beans a huge hit! Bill
thanked Reg and Lauri for stepping in and cooking the hotdogs and hamburgers!
CORRESPONDENCE. Bill reported that he has been in touch with Jim Jennings and he is doing
very well. Jim joked that he is now a member of the Zipper Club!
Bill reported that we have received a donation of a 1947 – 52 Ford F-Series Truck manual from
Laura McDonald. The book was passed around to the members. Don Landels is currently in
possession of the manual and will bring it to the next meeting to make it available to club
members.
Bill received a phone call from Joe Reiger the National Representative for the Early Ford V8 Club
of America inquiring if our club would be interested in hosting an upcoming National meet. This
news was received quietly by members in attendance.
Bill reported that a Vernon Car Club sent an email regarding their show this upcoming weekend in
which they are expecting 400 vehicles.
REGALIA. Mike Mortimer put on a small fashion show to show off his new logo’d golf shirt and hat
that he purchased from Ocean Promotions. Members are invited to drop into Ocean Promotions
and they will add our logo to their products for you. The wait time is about 2 weeks and the costs
will vary. Please check with Reg if you have any questions or if you need any promotional items.
FORDS & FRIENDS 2016. Bruce & Lauri provided their final report on recent progress for F&F
2016 before this weekend’s 36th Annual Car Show and Shine.
Bruce reports that a work party is set for Saturday, July 16th @ 6:30pm to start with the set
up. 6 members will be on hand to help Bruce and Lauri
Bruce reports that arrangements are finalized and both he and Laura will have water trucks.
Page | 6 JULY 2016
The new registration system for 2016 was discussed.
Members are encouraged to bring their windshield cards from 2015.
Windshield cards for this year’s participants feature Tony Cond’s truck! We have added the
Old Car Centre logo on the cards as an added value to them for their sponsorship
commitment.
We have been quite successful in securing existing and new major sponsors.
The 50/50 tickets are ready to go.
The 4 door prize draws will be given away using a separate ticket from the 50/50 tickets. All
adults in attendance will be given ticket for the draws.
KMS, Investors Group, and Classic Mustangs will be set up under the covered BBQ area.
A new duty roster is complete and was distributed at the club meeting.
Media exposure is in the works. We will have coverage in the Peninsula News Review,
Coffee Times Ocean 98.5 and the Times Colonist as well.
Please be here by 7am and wear your EFV8 gear and name tags.
If you need anything from the F&F committee, please contact Bruce or Lauri.
The last of the Posters and brochures for F&F 2016 were distributed to club members.
ACTION: All club members are requested to assist with poster and brochure
distribution/placement as soon as possible please.
SHOP TOURS. Vic Nordstrom reported that he has set up with Gary Clarke reports a shop tour
and BBQ at Vic’s home on Saturday, October 1st. Vic also mentioned that he will have a great
number of parts for sale at the tour.
NEW EFV8 CLUB GROUP PHOTO. Chris Chown has come forward with a new suggestion to
produce a new club photo. It has been decided that we are going to ask members to submit a good
quality high resolution image of their vehicle which will be posted to the website. If you do not have
a good quality camera, please let Chris know and arrangements will be made.
TREASURERES REPORT. President Bill Pritchard reported on behalf of Treasurer Jennings
reported that there are no outstanding receivables or payables at present. All accounts are in a
current position at this time. Full financial details for any member are available upon request
through the club executive.
NEW BUSINESS.
Norrie Spencer brought forward news regarding the new rules in BC for fenderless vehicles. The
new rules came into effect on July 6th, 2016. Full details are available at this link on the BC
Government website: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016TRAN0174-001204
TECH TALK.
Steve Moore enquired via email wanting information regarding the infamous T5 transmission. It
was agreed that we will connect Steve with Tony Cond.
Page | 7 JULY 2016
BUY & SELL.
Bill distributed a photo of an intake manifold with 4 barrel carb, includes a chrome alternator for
$900.00 – Details and a picture will be in the next Rumbles newsletter.
ADJOURNMENT. Motion to adjourn by Bob Mortimer at 7:40pm / 2nd by Norrie Spencer. Carried.
Minutes submitted by Don Landels. Approved by President Bill Pritchard. July 19, 2016.
Congratulations to Susan Pritchard for winning the 50/50!! She won $23.00. A deserved
win and a small token for the work she put into the delicious BBQ. Thank you Susan!
Dave Wallace is the proud new owner of a grab bag of goodies from KMS tools!
If you are aware of any errors or omissions, please contact Don Landels, Secretary.
Club News
This is one of the most unique collections of Victoria Hot Rods and collectables in existence.
Over 500 photos from the 1950s and on, including car shows, clubs, girlfriends and especially
some very special cars from the Victoria area. Many, many thanks to Gary Clarke for sending
this into Rumbles. Just click on the link to connect and enjoy.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vihr/sets/72157661876728131/with/23152057619/
Hi fellow NAACC Club members! Thank you Vic Nordstrom for sending this along. Attached you will find the latest edition of The National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada newsletter. Please circulate to your individual Club members. Included are some NAACC /SEMA updates, NAACC promotional pamphlet info, upcoming events and other interesting items. Don't forget to look NAACC up on Facebook and click on "like" for items you enjoy viewing. This is updated very frequently with lots of interesting automotive happenings from our NL Director Bobby Ford. The website naacc.ca is also updated on a regular basis thanks to BC Director and Pres John Carlson as well as webmaster Cam Hutchins. Enjoy! Wilfred Moase, Editor, VP NAACC, PE Director
Page | 8 JULY 2016
The Early Ford V8 Club of America will hold the 2016 Western National
Meet in Bakersfield, CA in October. If you haven’t attended one of
these events this would be a good one to start with. Bakersfield in
October is perfect weather with lots of interesting attractions in the
surrounding area. See the show and stay awhile!
Page | 9 JULY 2016
B.C. Auto Events – AUGUST 2016.
Aug 5-6
Kamloops Hot Night in the City - 21st Annual show & shine in downtown Kamloops. We also have the Rotary Rib Fest and the Dragon Boat Races the same weekend. More info
Show & Shine
Aug 6-7.
Mission Sports Car Club of B.C. road race #1 at Mission Raceway Park road course More info: www.sccbc.net
Racing
Aug 7.
Vancouver Dueck on Marine is hosting their annual Car show and Shine on August 7th, 2016. BBQ and registration by donations to Special Olympics BC. registrants will receive a free picture/poster. 9am-3pm, awards will be given out. 400 S.E. Marine Dr, Vancouver - For questions or more information please contact us at [email protected]
Custom & Classic
Car Show
Aug 13.
Harrison Hot Springs
Cooters Car Club and The Westcoasters Car Club - 4th Annual Harrison Hot Springs Show and Shine - 9a.m. to 5p.m. Admission is free - Free Registration Open to all makes and Models and years Lots of door prizes 50/50 dash plaques live band , sweet ride awards , fast & loud awards. - Esplanade Avenue East in Harrison Hot Springs
Show & Shine
Aug 14.
Fernie Fernie Chamber of Commerce - 5th Annual Fernie Show N Shine. Come check out classic and modern cars. - 2nd Ave, Downtown Fernie - To exhibit your vehicle, please contact us: [email protected]
Show & Shine
Aug 14.
Gabriola Island
Gabriola Cruisers - Gabriola Cruisers are hosting the second annual Car & Bike Show open to all makes. All proceeds from the show will go to the Gabriola Lions - The Field behind Twin Beaches Mall Berry Point Road Gabriola - more info: Chris Rombough @[email protected]
Show & Shine
Aug 14.
Abbotsford Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation - Open to all car classes, Sponsorship opportunity available: the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundations 1st Annual Car Show fundraiser- kid/family friendly activities, Food trucks and vendors on site of the Seven Oakes Shopping Mall (Lot"G") behind the Bay. 10 am-3 pm. Car registration on line (preferred). On site registration also. Awards for: overall crowd favourite, best engine bay,best paint.- 32900 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford - 7 Oaks mall, LOT "G" behind The Bay - more info
Car Show Fundraiser
Aug 20.
Cloverdale Burnouts in the Sky - Bradley McPherson Memorial 4th Annual Fundraiser - Live entertainment, Beer Gardens, Vendor Alley 50/50 Draw, Kid’s Corner, Stunting Show, Silent Action, Great Food. Cloverdale Fairgrounds - more info
Show & Shine
Aug 20
Peachland Okangan British Car Club - Rally in the Valley 2016: a celebration of Anglo-Saxon automobiles on the Peachland Waterfront, August 20, 10-2:30 - Followed by a cruise and 5:00 dinner at the Smoke and Oak Bistro. Bring $10 to enter your vehicle in the show. British marques only please. RSVP to [email protected] by Aug. 12 to attend dinner. Heritage Park, Peachland - Waterfront Proudly hosted by the Okanagan British Car Club
Car Show
Page | 10 JULY 2016
Aug 20.
North Vancouver
Canadian Classic MG Club/Canadian XK Jaguar Register - The 47th Annual Heritage Classic Field Meet includes Display Classes for MG, Jaguar & Other British Cars and Concours classes for Jaguars. In addition to Entrants' Choice awards for Display Classes and JCNA Awards for Concours Jaguars, there will be Long Distance and both Hagerty Preservation & Youth Judging Awards. Free to entrants: Morning Coffee, Afternoon Tea & British Biscuits and a framed photo of your car. The Display Entry Fee is $20. The Heritage Classic Weekend includes a number of other events including a Slalom/Autocross on August 21. See www.jaguarmg.com for further information on the weekend of events, the host hotel and a registration form. - 200 West Esplanade, North Vancouver
Field Meet
Aug. 20.
Mission Historic Motor Races at Mission Raceway Park Road Course More info @ http://www.bchmr.ca/ & www.vrcbc.ca
Racing
Aug 20-21.
Winfield Lake Country Chamber of Commerce - Live entertainment, 50-50 Draws, Door prizes all Day, Water Park for the kids, Venders Alley, 3:00 pm: Grand prize Draw and Trophy presentations - Swalwell Park in Winfield
Car Cruise & Parade
Aug 21.
Grand Forks
Park in the Park Car show - more info Car Show
Aug 21.
Langley GVMA - 33rd Roundup Show - Members & non-members welcome, open to all Mustangs, other Ford models, & Ford-powered vehicles, 34 Mustang & 6 non-Mustang vehicle classes, entrants vote for outstanding vehicles, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place Awards in all classes, T-shirts, raffle prizes, dash plaques, pre-registration preferred, register by Aug 1, $15 per car, register after Aug 1 or day of show, $20 per car, all Mustangs must be teched - stock or modified? Spectators welcome - free - George Preston Recreation Centre - 20699 - 42 Ave, Langley
Ford Car Show
Aug 28.
North Vancouver
Harbour Show & Shine - The ultimate presentation of Antique, Collector, Special Service, Sport & Race Cars, Hot Rods & Custom Car Show - Fell Avenue @ Harbourside Drive/Habourside Place, North Vancouver. - More info
Show & Shine
Aug 28.
North Vancouver
Mercedes Benz Club of America - Join us for a Show and Shine event at Shipbuilders Square in North Vancouver. Guest Speakers and door prize draws for participants and general audience. Keep your eyes on our Website https://bcstars.mbca.org/ for updates and links for registering your car for this event. ShipBuilders Square
Show & shine
Aug 28.
Maple Ridge
3rd Annual Haney Public House Charity Calendar Show n' Shine. Featuring your favourite servers dressed in American Graffiti Theme with 12 randomly drawn American cars. '72 & older! $10 Application Fee, Meat Draw, 50/50 & Calendar Sales all funds to Make A Wish Foundation! Live Music, 50% Off All Burgers, and much, much more! - 22222 Lougheed Hwy. Maple Ridge parking lot.
Show n’ Shine
Page | 11 JULY 2016
Tech Talk
If you have any technical issues you would like to share please submit to the
Rumbles editor. Thank you.
Page | 12 JULY 2016
How about a very sweet T Bird needing a good home?
Hi; Thanks for offering to help find a new (loving) owner for this car, which I have had for 38 years; and no longer have room/inclination to own/drive it, as we are away so often. It’s not a 'show' car; all original; though the colour is not the original green, as I didn't like the lime green that it was; but the interior is green etc. It has power windows and ariel, and driver’s seat; good tires and runs well. I'll take $5000 if I'm satisfied with the buyer; not a flipper etc. The odometer 'stopped' at 29,999.9 miles and I have put about 10,000kms (max) on it since then (1990); never driven in winter; always stored inside. The landau top is in great shape. It has not been registered as a collector car; and it may not qualify because of the colour..... Anyone interested should call/email/text asap, as I am now motivated to let her drive away. Thanks again for your assistance.
Darch Oborne 250-378-7363
Still for sale as of July 21st.
For Sale 1949 Ford Woody Station Wagon All original. Dearborn, Dearborn Medallion, Rouge award winners and VCCC awards. Sunvisor, Radial WW tires 450 miles, working radio and clock, turn signals optina battery in original Ford case, Original Jack in vinyl case and Drivers manual. Asking $65 900 call Slim Easton 1- 250 768 4505 ([email protected])
Page | 14 JULY 2016
Wanted: 1935 to 1937 Ford pickup for full restoration. Please contact
Chris Chown for further details. 250 595 0312 [email protected]
Page | 15 JULY 2016
JUNE 2016 https://youtu.be/L_AY8bH3vxY If you want to see how good Don Landels is at rebuilding a flathead check this out. No questions please!! Thanks Don for a great submission.
JULY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7xPd_nSVrs How about laser rust removal? Just click on the link to see how to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LabX19ocJZA If you are a Jay Leno with mega horsepower have a peek at this. Thank you Bruce Somers for the contribution.
StefanPabst - 3D DRAWINGS this is a very unique display about what one can
do with 3D drawing. Take a peek at the video and amaze your friends. Cheers, Chris Chown
Chris & Emily go camping at Rathtrevor in 2016. The
reservation system worked perfectly!
Page | 16 JULY 2016
THE DOWNSPOUT Today, a friend's wife said to him,
"Honey, get off your rear and fix that gutter downspout! And, I want it done before
the end of the day! “Well, as you all know, at my age, my friend, and most of our
friends, are retired and do have the time to address such "Honey do's"…. So, he
invited some of his "car buddies" over to help with the project.
One is a sheet metal fabricator. One brought his welder. One brought beer and
Nachos. One brought a grill and burgers. Took them about 6 hours, and 30-40
beers, but they got it done just as the last of the beer and burgers were gone.
As usual, the wife is still not happy! Can't understand, cause all us guys love it!
Personally, I cannot wait for rain.
Page | 17 JULY 2016
Committees & Updates 2016
Membership
Marc Brown, Louise Smith, Chris Chown
Newsletter.
Chris Chown.
Ford & Friends Car Show & Shine 2016
Bruce Somers & Lauri Stevens co-coordinators. July 17th, 2016
Annual B.B.Q. Rose & Norrie on Aug 20. Details TBA
Tours.
Gary Clarke coordinator
Annual Christmas Party
Steve Butler & Anna Meyer
Page | 18 JULY 2016
This year our club was once again blessed with a fantastic F&F show. The weather was
perfect, our guests were happy and the participants arrived in their usual dazzling
display of colour and noise. Rukus performed their usual superb performance and were
well received by spectators and participants alike.
We had close to 200 show cars and trucks from all over the island which made for an
awesome display. Spectators numbers were some of the best ever with lots of kids
ready to ride the trains and climb over everything in sight. A great time for everyone.
It really was a lot of fun and we have received many favorable comments from guests
and participants and even a few congratulations tossed our way!
It goes without saying that such a great show didn’t happen just by good luck. It takes
a great deal of hard work, long days and high energy to pull this all together. Every
club member that contributed time and expertise can be proud of the terrific results.
Of special significance is the contributions from several of our new members, who
jumped right in and helped lighten the load and improve the overall event. Thank you all
so very much for your skills, creativity and abundant energy.
The following photos are just a few of the many interesting items taken during the
show. Please take a moment and visit our club website at www.earlyfordv8victoria.com
to see the rest. If you have any photos you would like posted, please let Bill Pritchard
or Chris Chown know and they will be added as quickly as possible.
Thank you all once again for making Fords & Friends 2016 one of the very best ever.
Page | 19 JULY 2016
First the Winners.
2016 PARTICIPANTS CHOICE – BEST TRUCK.
John Fowler – 1937 GMC pickup.
Page | 20 JULY 2016
SPECTATORS & PARTICIPANTS CHOICE BEST CAR.
(First time we have ever had one car win both categories)
Dave Dziadyk 1960 Oldsmobile 2dr hardtop
Page | 21 JULY 2016
ARTIFACT’S CHOICE
Gwyneth & Murray Anderson
1953 Ford F 100 pickup. Stock!
Page | 22 JULY 2016
And now, some of the other winners!!
Page | 23 JULY 2016
Page | 24 JULY 2016
Page | 25 JULY 2016
July 12, 1933
First Dymaxion car produced
The first three-wheeled, multi-directional Dymaxion car–designed by the architect, engineer and philosopher Buckminster Fuller–is manufactured in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on this day in 1933.
Page | 26 JULY 2016
Born in Massachusetts in 1895, Fuller set out to live his life as (in his own words) “an experiment to
find what a single individual can contribute to changing the world and benefiting all humanity.” After
making up the world “Dymaxion” as a combination of the words “dynamic,” “maximum” and “ion,”
he took the word as his own personal brand. Among his groundbreaking creations were the
geodesic dome and the Dymaxion house, which was made of lightweight aluminum and could be
shipped by air and assembled on site.
In 1927, Fuller first sketched the Dymaxion car under the name “4D transport.” Part aircraft, part
automobile, it had wings that inflated. Five years later, Fuller asked his friend, the sculptor Isamu
Noguchi, to make more sketches of the car. The result was an elongated teardrop design, with a
rear third wheel that lifted off the ground and a tail fin. Fuller set up production of the Dymaxion car
in a former Locomobile factory in Bridgeport in March 1933. The first model rolled out of the
Bridgeport factory on July 12, 1933–Fuller’s 38th birthday. It had a steel chassis (or frame) and a
body made of ash wood, covered with an aluminum skin and topped with a painted canvas roof. It
was designed to be able to reach a speed of 120 miles per hour and average 28 miles per gallon
of gasoline.
Sold to Gulf Oil, the Dymaxion car went on display at the Century of Progress exposition in
Chicago. That October, however, the professional driver Francis Turner was killed after the
Dymaxion car turned over during a demonstration. An investigation cleared Dymaxion of
responsibility, but investors became scarce, despite the enthusiasm of the press and of celebrities
such as the novelist H.G. Wells and the painter Diego Rivera.
Along with the Nazi-built KdF-wagen (the forerunner of the Volkswagen Beetle), the Dymaxion was
one of several futuristic, rear-engined cars developed during the 1930s. Though it was never
mass-produced, the Dymaxion helped lead to public acceptance of new streamlined passenger
cars, such as the 1936 Lincoln Zephyr. In 2008, the only surviving Dymaxion was featured in an
exhibit dedicated to Fuller’s work at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. An
article published in The New York Times about the exhibit recalled Fuller’s own impressions of the
Dymaxion: “I knew everyone would call it a car,” he told the literary critic Hugh Kenner in the
1960s; instead, it was actually “the land-taxiing phase of a wingless, twin orientable jet stilts flying
device.
Page | 27 JULY 2016
JULY 9TH 1962
U.S. Patent issued for three-point seatbelt
The United States Patent Office issues the Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin a patent for his three-
point automobile safety belt “for use in vehicles, especially road vehicles” on this day in 1962.
Four years earlier, Sweden’s Volvo Car Corporation had hired Bohlin, who had previously worked
in the Swedish aviation industry, as the company’s first chief safety engineer. At the time, safety-
belt use in automobiles was limited mostly to race car drivers; the traditional two-point belt, which
fastened in a buckle over the abdomen, had been known to cause severe internal injuries in the
event of a high-speed crash. Bohlin designed his three-point system in less than a year, and Volvo
introduced it on its cars in 1959. Consisting of two straps that joined at the hip level and fastened
into a single anchor point, the three-point belt significantly reduced injuries by effectively holding
both the upper and lower body and reducing the impact of the swift deceleration that occurred in a
crash.
On August 17, 1959, Bohlin filed for a patent in the United States for his safety belt design. The
U.S. Patent Office issued Patent No. 3,043,625 to “Nils Ivar Bohlin, Goteborg, Sweden, assignor to
Aktiebolaget Volvo” on July 10, 1962. In the patent, Bohlin explained his invention: “The object… is
to provide a safety belt which independently of the strength of the seat and its connection with the
vehicle in an effective and physiologically favorable manner retains the upper as well as the lower
part of the body of the strapped person against the action of substantially forwardly directed forces
and which is easy to fasten and unfasten and even in other respects satisfies rigid requirements.”
Volvo released the new seat belt design to other car manufacturers, and it quickly became
standard worldwide. The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 made seat belts a
required feature on all new American vehicles from the 1968 model year onward. Though
engineers have improved on seat belt design over the years, the basic structure is still Bohlin’s.
The use of seat belts has been estimated to reduce the risk of fatalities and serious injuries from
collisions by about 50 percent. In 2008, an all-time high 83 percent of front-seat occupants in the
United States buckled their seat belts.
Page | 28 JULY 2016
July 13, 1978.
Henry Ford II fires Lee Iacocca
On this day in 1978, Ford Motor Company chairman Henry Ford II fires Lee Iacocca as Ford’s
president, ending years of tension between the two men.
Born to an immigrant family in Pennsylvania in 1924, Iacocca was hired by Ford as an engineer in
1946 but soon switched to sales, at which he clearly excelled. By 1960, Iaccoca had become a
vice president and general manager of the Ford division, the company’s largest marketing arm. He
successfully championed the design and development of the sporty, affordable Ford Mustang, an
achievement that landed him on the covers of Time and Newsweek magazines in the same week
in 1964.
In December 1970, Henry Ford II named Iacocca president of Ford, but his brash, unorthodox style
soon brought him into conflict with his boss. According to Douglas Brinkley’s history of Ford
“Wheels for the World,” Henry authorized $1.5 million in company funds for an investigation of
Iacocca’s business and private life in 1975. Suffering from a heart condition and aware that the
time for his retirement was approaching, Ford made it clear that he eventually wanted to turn the
company over to his son Edsel, then just 28. In early 1978, Iacocca was told he would report to
another Ford executive, Philip Caldwell, who was named deputy chief executive officer. In his
increasingly public struggle with Ford, Iacocca made an attempt to find support among the
company’s board of directors, giving Ford the excuse he needed to fire him. As Iacocca later wrote
in his bestselling autobiography, Ford called Iacocca into his office shortly before 3 pm on July 13,
1978 and let him go, telling him “Sometimes you just don’t like somebody.”
News of the firing shocked the industry, but it turned into a boon for Iacocca. The following year, he
was hired as president of the Chrysler Corporation, which at the time was facing bankruptcy.
Iacocca went to the federal government for aid, banking on his belief that the government would
not let Chrysler fail for fear of weakening an already slumping economy. The gamble paid off, with
Congress agreeing to bail out Chrysler to the tune of $1.5 billion. Iacocca streamlined the
company’s operations, focused on producing more fuel-efficient cars and pursued an aggressive
marketing strategy based on his own powerful personality. After showing a small profit in 1981,
Chrysler posted record profits of more than $2.4 billion in 1984. By then a national celebrity,
Iacocca retired as chief executive of Chrysler in 1992.
Page | 29 JULY 2016
This newsletter is provided free of charge to members and associates of the
Early Ford V8 Club R.G. 109.
Should you wish to contribute an item or offer comments please contact
Chris D. Chown via email at [email protected]
Thank you.