Dieter Zetsche (Dr. Z) - I think I've had enough...

[cashflyer]

Originally posted by rouxroux
"Chrysler invented the minivan?" uh, sorry.

Fiat Multipla

[rouxroux]

Man, talk about the evil bastard child of a beetle and an Isetta...did'nt they make those in the late 50's? Been a while since I've seen one. There you go, ANOTHER one for Dr. Z

[Decolliber]

Autoextremist.com complains that Dr Z makes himself look like a clown, but I disagree. The ads are whimsical, well done, and focus viewer attention on things that probably matter to the median viewer (eg, storage space in the minivan, "superior" German engineering). I cannot image Juergen Schremmp being able to pull it off.

[dd74]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
Is that true? Name a specific Chrysler part used in a specific Mercedes.

This will answer all your questions.

[RickM]

Originally posted by cashflyer
Fiat Multipla

Looks more like a MicroVan.


BTW, the soccer headshot looks like a poorly done computer animation.

[artplumber]

If that guy is as animated in Board meetings as he is on TV, they are all snoozers and the company's going DOWN. (reminds me of the "acting" that Keanu Reaves "does").

[cashflyer]

I couldn't resist....

I went to the Ask Dr. Z site and inquired about their claim to have invented the minivan. Here is the reply I received:

Thanks for contacting Dr.Z. Your message has been forwarded to us for response.

We understand what VW was the first to build a minivan in the 50's. Chrysler reinvented it by introducing the A100.


Thanks again for your "Z"mail.

Sincerely,

Justin

Senior Staff Representative
Dr.Z's Customer Action Team

For any future communications related to this email, please refer to the
following information:
REFERENCE NUMBER: 15215723
EMAIL CASE NUMBER: 1451771
REPLY LINK:
http://www.chrysler.com/wccs/brand_forms/us/reply.jsp?trk_ID=KMM4038492I25261L0KM&

Note: In my original email to them, I mentioned that the Corvair van, the VW microbus/vanagon, and the GMC all predate the Dodge/Chrysler minivan. I did not mention specific decades. The comment they made about the VW is completely of their choosing.

[Z-man]

In a way, Dr. Z is my boss. A few levels are between he and I. Ok, many, MANY levels. I work for MBUSA, and here are my thoughts on this:

1. German humor gets lost in the translation.
2. I wish DC-AG would spend some marketing money on Mercedes cars as well...
3. Why are we competing with ourselves? IE: Stating that a Chrysler has Mercedes parts for less. If folks buy into that, they will say, "Then why should I even consider a Mercedes?"
4. Chrysler sales are way down this year. Mercedes sales are steady, with a slight improvement over last year. (I think the MB techs are finally getting the reliability issues solved in our cars!)
5. I believe the Dr. Z ads will be pulled down soon. Doesn't seem to be working.

6. All that said - it is getting folks to talk about the Chrysler cars - and even though the ads make Dr. Z look like a fool (which is somewhat on purpose), no one is saying anything bad about the cars he's selling in the ads. It's all about marketing!

-Z-man. (No, I'm not Dr. Z)

[Harlan Chinn]

I'd rather be watching Jill Wagner show her way around a Mercury Milan and Mariner in her blue sweater and high heels!

[Don Plumley]

Originally posted by Harlan Chinn
I'd rather be watching Jill Wagner show her way around a Mercury Milan and Mariner in her blue sweater and high heels!

+1

[dd74]

Anyone remember when Lindsay Wagner hawked Fords?

[dd74]

Originally posted by Z-man
In a way, Dr. Z is my boss. A few levels are between he and I. Ok, many, MANY levels. I work for MBUSA, and here are my thoughts on this:

1. German humor gets lost in the translation.
2. I wish DC-AG would spend some marketing money on Mercedes cars as well...
3. Why are we competing with ourselves? IE: Stating that a Chrysler has Mercedes parts for less. If folks buy into that, they will say, "Then why should I even consider a Mercedes?"
4. Chrysler sales are way down this year. Mercedes sales are steady, with a slight improvement over last year. (I think the MB techs are finally getting the reliability issues solved in our cars!)
5. I believe the Dr. Z ads will be pulled down soon. Doesn't seem to be working.

6. All that said - it is getting folks to talk about the Chrysler cars - and even though the ads make Dr. Z look like a fool (which is somewhat on purpose), no one is saying anything bad about the cars he's selling in the ads. It's all about marketing!

-Z-man. (No, I'm not Dr. Z)

Yes, Z on Z - good analysis. I agree with all of that. The thing about M-B cars is they are really expensive. I have yet this year to see Road and Track and the other magazines test an MB that's under $100,000. So, possibly, M-B might be pushing Chrysler as their "lower brand." I don't know...

Chryslers sell well out here. M-Bs are a dime a dozen. Only place there seems to be more M-Bs is in the Middle East.

Personally, I like the C series.

[Bryan Beaumont]

T.V. is sucking the brain cells out of your head. Shut it off!!

[M.D. Holloway]

I lemon lawed a dodge a few years ago - JD powers must be on crack. I wouldn't buy a dodge if they gave it to me - wait, if they gave it to me I wouldn't be buying it anyway...hmmm...then I would give it back after I farted in it. Ya, thats what I would do!

Dr. Z your the biggest tool in the whole garage!

[dd74]

Originally posted by Bryan Beaumont
T.V. is sucking the brain cells out of your head. Shut it off!!

That's probably the bottom-line truth.

P.S. Exactly how "not stock" is your '74?

[dd74]

Originally posted by LubeMaster77
I lemon lawed a dodge a few years ago - JD powers must be on crack. I wouldn't buy a dodge if they gave it to me - wait, if they gave it to me I wouldn't be buying it anyway...hmmm...then I would give it back after I farted in it. Ya, thats what I would do!

Did I correctly read on another thread that you're an adjunct English professor?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Not if he mixes up "you're" and "your", he ain't.

[dd74]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Not if he mixes up "you're" and "your", he ain't.

Which I didn't mix up... +1

[Bryan Beaumont]

dd74---My car is set up with a twin plug, 3 liter, intercooled turbo under a ducktail. Fiberglass hood, duck, F/R bumpers. 349 RWHP and about
2300 lbs.

[dd74]

Originally posted by Bryan Beaumont
dd74---My car is set up with a twin plug, 3 liter, intercooled turbo under a ducktail. Fiberglass hood, duck, F/R bumpers. 349 RWHP and about
2300 lbs.

Yeah, that's not stock...

Three-liter turbo as in from the early 930 or was this a turbo conversion?

Have any pics of the car & motor?