Lee Ioccoca is Turning Japanese

Say it with us, people, Pinto. This is a 70's era Ford Motors product representing all that was horrible about American cars.

Younger reader(s) will probably not understand the American auto industry's reputation coming out of the 1970's. To be blunt, Ford, GM and Chrysler were churning out shit-boxes, crappy cars that usually went back to the dealer six weeks after purchase for a host of repairs. One often made an appointment just before rolling out of the showroom.

My father still won't by American cars.

In contrast, the Japanese made tough, fuel efficient little cars that you knew you'd get a hundred and fifty thousand miles out of.

To Americans who recall the era, Lee Iaccoca* was the dynamic savior, not only of the Chrysler Corporation, which he rescued from bankruptcy, but the American auto-industry, whose renewal he symbolized.

We'll be showing Iaccoca's famous Chrystel commercials all week. But first, some prep.

We assure you Millennials, they ain't makin' it up. In fact this movie is loosely based on the true story of a Japanese company opening shop in America, and the culture clash that followed.

*Spell check recognizes the man's name.