RIP Cal Worthington


twobjshelbys

GT Owner
Jul 26, 2010
6,053
Las Vegas, NV
My wife just told me that Cal Worhington died. He ha a chain of Ford dealerships in Southern California and Arizona.

His commercials had a great bluegrass tune and the tag line "if you want a <thing> Go See Cal". He always had some kind of animal "his dog spot" which was never a dog. When we lived in Arizona in the 70's his dog was a full grown tiger riding around on his golf cart wagging its tail and I always waited for the tiger's tail to get run over by the tire and shred Cal into little pieces.

Here's a video of the commercials

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOsLdT4slsk

Cal was 92. Here's his obit. You gotta be big to get a NY Times unpaid obit !!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/10/b...nt-jingle-dies-at-92.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
 

twobjshelbys

GT Owner
Jul 26, 2010
6,053
Las Vegas, NV
We bought a 1979 Ford Tbird (a huge boat that was really a Lincoln Continental with different skin) from Tex Earnhardt in Phoenix. He copied Cal's advertising style.
 

Sinovac

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 18, 2006
5,832
Largo, Florida
Neat post. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when he and Madman Muntz did the deal for the Hudson dealership.
 

KJRGT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 4, 2006
2,840
SoCal
Grew up in SoCal watching Cal and his many pet "Spots" on his TV ads.
Great memories of a simpler time and approach to sales and life.
 

Vince H

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 23, 2012
2,417
Southern California
Grew up in SoCal watching Cal and his many pet "Spots" on his TV ads.
Great memories of a simpler time and approach to sales and life.
My parents moved me to SoCal when I was 10. I feel the same way Kevin. Was looking for you at the Rally, hope you are well.

Vince H
 

Cobrar

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 24, 2006
4,017
Metro Detroit
Went to the link on Cal - this came up after the video - Classic 70's ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSHo3j72fIo

RIP Cal, I bet you would have loved that commercial.
 

KJRGT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 4, 2006
2,840
SoCal
Hi Vince.
All is good, just had a family schedule challenge occur a few months ago that bumped us from the Rally.
Are you joining us in the Viper-GT drive this Saturday?
 

Vince H

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 23, 2012
2,417
Southern California
No I'm not although I want to. My Sister is having her wedding at our house in about a month and this Saturday is the Bridal Shower. My better half is the matron of honor. I'm sure you guys will have a blast. I'm jealous to say the least.

Vince H
 

djs

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Jun 7, 2007
2,082
Ya gotta love a guy who has a tiger as his passenger in a golf cart. And how many car dealers can say they were on Carson's show (although today's kids wouldn't even know who Carson was)?
 

twobjshelbys

GT Owner
Jul 26, 2010
6,053
Las Vegas, NV
The last Cal Worthington dealership closes.


So long, Spot.
 
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