Slipped Through Ford's Fingers

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Folks,

I found this old photo of what was going to be the next Magic Mustang success and Lee Iacocca next idea....a minivan. Henry Ford II did not like it or Lee Iaccoca and fired him. I saw this vehicle in the Truck Operations Executive Garage one day in the Mid 1970's A two tone concept vehicle. Iaccoca took this concept that HFII (The Duce) nixed and made the Chrysler Mini Van the hit it was! Ford lost out on being the leader due to the clash of two super EGOs!

I thought this was a winner at the time and sad when HFII canned it!

Best,
Phil

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[WhyNot21]

Here's a color photo:

 

[Trigganometry]

Think that’s about the time vinyl graphics hit the automotive scene. Those wood panels screamed luxury! ?

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

Gen 1 Chrysler T&C for comparison.

Yowza I had no idea Ford had developed this vehicle. You're not kidding it was a missed opportunity. They made up for it with the Explorer, I suppose!

 

[Friday yet?]

Damn. It's as ugly as the Chrysler's were.

 

[NotBudule]

 

[21Blackout]

AWESOME !!!! Hindsight is always 20/20

 

[MountainGoat]

Think that’s about the time vinyl graphics hit the automotive scene. Those wood panels screamed luxury! ?

Houses too, wallpaper, wood vinyl, beige plastic-covered couches and puke-green refrigerators. Couldn't get away from that luxury.

 

[KJRR]

Hi Folks,

I found this old photo of what was going to be the next Magic Mustang success and Lee Iacocca next idea....a minivan. Henry Ford II did not like it or Lee Iaccoca and fired him. I saw this vehicle in the Truck Operations Executive Garage one day in the Mid 1970's A two tone concept vehicle. Iaccoca took this concept that HFII (The Duce) nixed and made the Chrysler Mini Van the hit it was! Ford lost out on being the leader due to the clash of two super EGOs!

I thought this was a winner at the time and sad when HFII canned it!

Best,
Phil

Hi Phil,
Just read that article today and wondered if you had any knowledge of it.
Down in the comments is info from Dick Nesbitt.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/hagerty-community/what-was-fords-biggest-missed-opportunity/

And thank you for always sharing your experiences at Ford!

 

[Bob902]

Nobody can compete with the Family Truckster!

 

[ylwjacket]



My first car. LTD country squire wagon with wood paneling. Mine was that late 70's burnt orange color tho.

 

[NotBudule]

My first car. LTD country squire wagon with wood paneling. Mine was that late 70's burnt orange color tho.

77 Towncar here ...

 

[CB750F]

Gotta love ego's!

 

[Fawnbuster]

Here's a color photo:

It's the family truckster!

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Here's a color photo:

Hi Mike,

That is it! It was cordoned off in the Exec Garage so we could only look at it and could not touch it. Then next day it was gone and we never saw it again...left with the dark of night.... If I recall correctly, it was code named MiniMax.

best,
Phil

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