Autos: Matthew McConaughey takes mesmerizing auto-endorsing detour

You know you've made it when you're spoofed on "Saturday Night Live." Doesn't matter if you're Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin or … Lincoln.

Or, more exactly, Matthew McConaughey driving a Lincoln — mocked by Jim Carrey.

He's not the only one to hawk cars over the years.

Driving Lincoln

Whether we believe the Academy Award-winning star of "Magic Mike" and "Dallas Buyers Club" actually enjoys driving Lincolns is debatable, but his commercials have people talking about Lincoln. What started as a low-tone endorsement for the MKC crossover evolved to spots highlighting the MKZ sedan.

"The overwhelming response to the MKC campaign sparked truly great awareness for Lincoln," said Andrew Frick, group marketing manager for Lincoln. "Matthew's natural storytelling ability perfectly complements the Lincoln story as we continue to raise awareness. Including Lincoln MKZ is a natural progression in our collaborative process, and we look forward to continuing the momentum with this campaign."

For McConaughey, it's about authenticity.

"If I can be authentic, and the spots are authentic, then we are sending the same message," McConaughey said. "And I think we're doing that in this series of Lincoln ads."

Going Outback

Imagine mid-1990s Subaru pondering how to name and launch its upcoming jacked-up all-wheel-drive station wagon. Some genius whizzed a zinger when they conjured the name Outback and paired "Crocodile Dundee" star Paul Hogan to help launch it. Magic.

It didn't matter that nearly all Outbacks would never see dirt trails, a camping spot or streams. It was the dream that it could while taking the brats to school that mattered.

The car became an icon and cornerstone of all that's right with Subaru today. One of the best celebrity spots — ever.

Corinthian leather

Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca was the king of endorsements, having signed Ricardo Montalban and Frank Sinatra. Who can forget the "Fantasy Island" star highlighting the Cordoba's "Corinthian leather"? The Sinatra edition of the 1982 Chrysler Imperial featured blue metallic paint, baby blue interior and a collection of the crooner's tapes. Sinatra, owner of extraordinary cars like the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham and Facel Vega, supposedly quit endorsing Chryslers after his personal Imperial failed to proceed.

Of course, Iacocca became his own best endorser, starring with his company's products as pitchman-in-chief. His famous tagline, "If you can find a better car, buy it," resonated with drivers during the 1980s — a time when Chrysler desperately needed to sell cars, SUVs and minivans.

His role was revived in 2005 for a series of commercials topped by "golf partner" Snoop Dog, who affirmatively replied, "Fo-shizzle, Ica-zizzle!"

See the U.S.A.

Probably the most famous celebrity endorsement was Dinah Shore singing "See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet" — a classic right there with Coca-Cola's "I'd like to teach the world to sing" — in commercials and on her television show during the 1950s and 1960s. Search Dinah Shore and Chevrolet on YouTube to see what I mean.

The song was revived with the "Glee" kids in an elaborate stage production that resulted in a 2011 Super Bowl commercial, proving the best endorsements endure.

Contact Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com or on Twitter: @AutoCasey.