Monday, June 23, 2014

endorsing a Chrysler... not such a good idea, but they paid Frank Sinatra enough, and he did it, and then regretted it








Sinatra appeared in print ads and television commercials in which he sang a specially penned song about the luxurious car called “It’s Time” … for Imperial.  That special edition included badging and a Mark Cross leather case with 16 cassette tapes of Sinatra songs.


 Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca, gave one to Frank in gratitude for Sinatra’s agreeing to promote the car without charge while the automaker was struggling to avoid bankruptcy.

It stalled on Sintra in the middle of a busy intersection and Frank walked away from it, too embarrassed to be seen with it.
http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/January-2012/Frank-Sinatra-in-a-Chrysler-Imperial-1980/#.U6h-kPldVTM
and http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1981/1981FS/index.htm
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1712630748969016/permalink/2061533104078777/

4 comments:

  1. So what ever happened to the Imperial? Was it sent back to Chrysler Corp. for trouble shooting or was it crushed?

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    1. It's not commented on anywhere I looked, but the troublesome fuel injection problem was so bad, Chrysler did a free retrofit of carbs to any and all that requested it

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    2. Honestly Jess, I think the Imperial was better looking then the Cadillac and Lincoln of that same time frame. I think the styling ques for all three of these luxury cars was taken from the Rolls Royce design. Notably the back end, or trunk area. Would you think so?

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    3. I'm going to agree about the Cad Linc Imp comparison... I don't know about the Rolls Royce though

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