On September 24, 1960, Lee Iacocca saw his dream become a reality. That was the day that Flora, Illinois became "Ford Town USA." It was a huge promotional stunt that Lee organized for Ford. Essentially, all 1600 citizens of Flora with a registered ve... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
That is so cool! The sad thing is that if Ford tried that stunt today, people would get trampled to death (remember last Christmas's Wal Mart employee?).
It must be the carnie in me, but I love this !!!! Cool way to draw attention to yourself and your product.. Today's marketing gurus should take note. You can bet a lot of those folks ended up buying that new Ford they were driving on loan for a week. " Hurry, hurry, Step right up !"
I can't see nobody getting into trouble unless there was something fishy going on with ford end of things. Shenanigans.
What's kinda weird is all the T-birds are 1960 models. Everything else is '61. Was Thunderbird production slow getting started in '61? Did they really have that many leftover white '60 'Birds? Great story, though. Wish we lived there then. But we did have our own white Ford, a '58 Del Rio Ranch Wagon with "Interceptor Special" 352, Cruise-O-matic and red interior.
I've seen that main overhead photo before and always wondered what the hell was going on with all the white Fords. I just figured it was ol' Henry's vision of heaven. Cool story. Doubt we'll see any promotions similar to that again.
Ford is (or has, not sure) giving away 100 2010 Ford Fiestas for 6 months! Close, but not really the same. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/04/treehugger-becomes-ford-fiesta-agent.php
Production on the new styled '61 T-Bird did not start until October 3rd - the earliest release date to the dealers was November 10th.
You would think there would have been all kinds of drag racing going on.. Brand new free loaner car? I would have treated it worse then the rentals I've thrashed.
Yeah... that's why I am pissed at the details... Or lack there of... You mean to tell me they gave some 16 year old kid a new Ford just because he was a registered car owner? And if they did, I REFUSE to believe that he and his pals didn't have some fun. Where are the good stories? Screw all of these soft PR/Marketing stories around the event.
Ryan...So cool that you posted this. I live about 20 miles east of Flora, and even though I'm not a native I have met people that participated in this event. As a member of the Clay Co. Cruisers based in Flora, we at one time tossed around the idea of restoring one of the only known cars to still be in the area...We didn't get the job done at that time, but the club may still be working on it. As far as negative press, even around here there are no stories of people trashing or stealing cars, but ya gotta remember that those were different times. This was a big deal for a small community, and people were very proud that Flora was chosen. I guess they were on their best behavior. Every once in awhile a piece of memorabilia from the event will surface. I've seen fliers, key fobs, etc. at different times.
Glenn, being that you are so close, I hereby put it to vote that you be the "official" digger of dirt and report back to us with SOMETHING more on this awesome event. All those in favor AYE
Man..could you imagine the liablities of doing something like this today? even with the smallest of towns you know there would be one joker ready to sue for something..or wrecking the car..or...etc..
Actually this was done again (late 80's) in a town in New York where everbody was given YUGOs to use for a year for "test marketing".
What do you do when the parking lot is full...of your own make and model and color to boot! Hell, I can't find my car now. Good times....
YUP, actually happened. Unfortunatlly, the cars only lasted one week. Here was my car as I returned it, in a basket.-MIKE