Page 94 - Experience Magazine Spring 2023

CROSSING THE BLOCK
CROSSING THE BLOCK

Shelby. Roush. Saleen. Each of these iconic names is developed the minivan, another revolution in American
associated with the Mustang, thanks to the “Father of the car culture. While impressive, this story isn’t about
Mustang,” Lee Iacocca, without whom the Mustang may Chrysler, the minivan or even the original Mustang.
never have happened. While serving as the Ford Division Flashback to 1982, when President Ronald Reagan asked
president and general manager, Iacocca saw the birth of Iacocca, then chairman of Chrysler Corporation, to
the Mustang, which effectively changed the course of the head a private sector effort to raise funds for restoring
American car. The Mustang has also become embedded and preserving the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
into the fabric of American culture. The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (SOLEIF)
Iacocca, the son of an immigrant hot-dog vendor, also was founded and, through this project, Iacocca became
ran the Chrysler Corporation for a time, making him friends with Nasser J. Kazeminy, chairman of the Ellis
the only executive in modern times to preside over two Island Honors Society.
of the Big Three automakers. While at Chrysler, Iacocca

AMERICAN TREASURES

ELLIS ISLAND HONORS SOCIETY AND THE NO. 15 2009 FORD MUSTANG IACOCCA 45TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

94 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE SPRING 2023