I worked as a security guard at Worthington Ford in Long Beach back in 1980 and Cal would drive into the lot in a used car about 7 or 8 years old, always smiling. He was nice guy. And never wanted to be treated like a celebrity.
2018. His grandson runs the business now days. Told at one time 400 to 500 cars a month. No more. Not for a long time. And there is no more Cal Worthington. That was the key to the business. Thank you
We had a similarly charismatic guy in DFW, Texas, who arrived from California in 1982. He must have been influenced by Cal Worthington. His name is Joe Tigue, and he achieved his dream of becoming a dealer when he purchased floundering Westway Ford in Irving, Texas. By 1984, he turned the dealership around, and it quickly became an MVP for Ford. He did his own nutty commercials, creating his own character "Joe Greed", wearing oversize sunglasses, a suit, and cowboy hat all with huge dollar signs! That helped get attention, and sales. The dealership later expanded to selling Isuzus and other imports. He sold the dealership in the late 90s to a corporation that was buying up independent dealerships. Joe then started up Texas Toyota in Grapevine. At one event, he hired The Knack to perform a concert at his store. This was during the local "My Toyota!" campaign among the Toyota dealers in Texas. I read that he's retired now, engaged in charity work, and living in the Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville.
Car dealers doing their own TV commercials with corny catch phrases and gimmicks were common back then, even before Cal came along. He was influenced by some of the earlier dealers who did a running schtick on their commercials, such as "Madman" Muntz. Pretty much every city had at least one from the '50s - '00s. Not all were as successful at it, through.
Some lasted long enough to be in the system. 0:15 - 1981 Plymouth Voyager (1CNV973) was smogged into 2009 2:52 - 1981 Ford Fairmont (1GYJ859) was smogged into 2003 3:27 - 1981 Ford Econoline (2A58316) was smogged into 1999
@@garyvallone5393 There trucks Were Built Better then the passenger cars were at least from the American Models the Japanese Ate the American Manufactures During the recording of these Commericals.
I worked as a security guard at Worthington Ford in Long Beach back in 1980 and Cal would drive into the lot in a used car about 7 or 8 years old, always smiling. He was nice guy. And never wanted to be treated like a celebrity.
I remember when he was Worthington Dodge at 2771 E. Slauson Blvd. Huntington Park California. That was in the 1950’s.
2018. His grandson runs the business now days.
Told at one time 400 to 500 cars a month. No more. Not for a long time. And there is no more Cal Worthington. That was the key to the business. Thank you
Looks like the spot was knocked down and a strip mall now.
It's still on that same corner of Bellflower & Spring; now having the address of 2950 Bellflower.
I always love his commercial wen I was a teen I wish I was back to 1984
We had a similarly charismatic guy in DFW, Texas, who arrived from California in 1982. He must have been influenced by Cal Worthington. His name is Joe Tigue, and he achieved his dream of becoming a dealer when he purchased floundering Westway Ford in Irving, Texas. By 1984, he turned the dealership around, and it quickly became an MVP for Ford. He did his own nutty commercials, creating his own character "Joe Greed", wearing oversize sunglasses, a suit, and cowboy hat all with huge dollar signs! That helped get attention, and sales. The dealership later expanded to selling Isuzus and other imports. He sold the dealership in the late 90s to a corporation that was buying up independent dealerships. Joe then started up Texas Toyota in Grapevine. At one event, he hired The Knack to perform a concert at his store. This was during the local "My Toyota!" campaign among the Toyota dealers in Texas. I read that he's retired now, engaged in charity work, and living in the Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville.
Car dealers doing their own TV commercials with corny catch phrases and gimmicks were common back then, even before Cal came along. He was influenced by some of the earlier dealers who did a running schtick on their commercials, such as "Madman" Muntz. Pretty much every city had at least one from the '50s - '00s. Not all were as successful at it, through.
Cal Worthington was born in Oklahoma, but he's one of those we let escape. At least he left us these unbelievable commercials.
CAL WORTHINGTON FORD HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE I WAS 3 YEARS OLD.
Thank you for the post, Ben! Looking forward to seein' my name in the credits of Oddity archive!
That bear...that bear was killing him. And he laughed at it.
I miss wen I was a teenager I was 14 now i am sadly 52 years old
Down to earth 🌍 Cal Worthington was👍🏻
THATS WHERE MY FRIENDS ARE!!!!
Wow most of those cars have been scrapped for years now.
Some lasted long enough to be in the system.
0:15 - 1981 Plymouth Voyager (1CNV973) was smogged into 2009
2:52 - 1981 Ford Fairmont (1GYJ859) was smogged into 2003
3:27 - 1981 Ford Econoline (2A58316) was smogged into 1999
The vans and utes might well have been re-registered, so there's prolly a few on the road still...
So many great trucks! We had an 82 Courier much like the one on his lot there. Granted yeah it was a Mazda, but a great little machine.
How cool would it be to go back and buy one of these for close to nothing. Hell you cant touch a new car these day for less than 30k
@ Very true about those cars being worn out in 4 years. I was saying to go back with the money we make today though
@@garyvallone5393 but made in USA parts unlike 2020 cars have issues
@@garyvallone5393 There trucks Were Built Better then the passenger cars were at least from the American Models the Japanese Ate the American Manufactures During the recording of these Commericals.
Cal was cool, cool pet tricks.
All nice cars easy to work on
That was an awesome episode! :3
Does Anyone knows if Mr Worthington sold any Mazda’s Rx2 or Rx7?????
I LOVE TO SHOP AT CAL-WORTHINGTON FORD FOR A USED OR NEW CAR!
Too bad that most 1980s vehicles, foreign AND domestic were such...crap.
Where are the 70’s and 80’s Lincoln’s ?
I could of swore he did a commercial about kissing a camel and get a deal on a vehicle? Or was that in a movie?
Best line: “I’d like to see the cotton picker who has better cars for lower prices…” @2:20
Is the dealership still there?
Doesnt look like it from google map street view. You can probably see it on historicaeerials though.
There is a Cal Worthington ford . I just do not know if it's the same location
Mike Carter it’s a Starbucks there now
Gary Vallone it’s right up the road at 2950 Bellflower in Long Beach
No
❤