As we look ahead to the Mustang's 50th Anniversary in 2014, we look back at the marque's great success in 2004 at the age of 40 and the terrific man who helped us celebrate - Jim O'Connor, Ford Division President.
The Mustang's 40th Anniversary was surreal. It was impossible to fathom 40 years with America's original fun car because it had all passed so quickly. Jim O'Connor, who was running Ford Division at the time, helped us feel at home with the Mustang's four-decade anniversary - fondly remembering when he joined Ford Motor Company in 1964 just in time for the festivities associated with an exciting new carline that would define an era - Mustang...
Jim O'Connor held many senior positions during his 40 years with Ford Motor Company. After joining Ford in 1964, he held dozens of sales and marketing positions with Ford, Lincoln-Mercury sales, parts, and services divisions. It was during his trek to the top he learned all about the car business in the trenches. Born in New York City, he went to college at Villanova University receiving his bachelor's degree in economics. In 1995, he served on the Villanova Alumni Association's, receiving its prestigious Loyalty Award. In 2002, O'Connor was given an honorary doctorate from Northwood University.
We know Jim O'Connor from his close involvement with both Ford's 100th Anniversary in 2003 and the Mustang's 40th Anniversary in 2004. Jim always took the time to say hello and ask us about what we do at Mustang Monthly Magazine. He was closely involved with the Mustang Club of America's efforts that year, making the marque's 40th Anniversary a huge success. What's more, The U.S. Postal Service put Ford's sporty Mustang on a postage stamp that year, making the celebration complete.
We tip our hats to Jim O'Connor, who retired from Ford in 2004, leaving a lot of heavy hearts who will always miss his brand of enthusiasm for the historic Dearborn, Michigan automaker. Thanks, Jim, for wonderful memories.