The Italian immigrant

By the end of the XIX century, many immigrants had started to arrive in USA, coming from the south of Italy, namely Sicily. Most of them, humble people willing to escape hunger and poverty.

For the Americans they were seen as a way to make up for the lack of labour following the Civil War. Indeed, being hard working and smart, they soon became a propelling force of the US rise from the ashes.

However, they were also victims of prejudice, because amongst them were many ex-Mafia members who built a bad reputation. Italians were thus regarded as clever, yet unreliable and sometimes dangerous.

It was just the same with Italian sports cars in the 60’s. Sure they weren’t easy to deal with, but most of all, they spoke a language the average mechanic didn’t understand.

By selling an Italian car with a Ford engine, Lee Iacocca assumed he was offering the Americans the best of both worlds: desire and trust. Somehow, the formula didn’t catch.