Legendary Auto Dealing Icon, Calvin Worthington, Dies at 92.

The west coast best known car dealer Calvin Coolidge "Cal" Worthington best known for his unique radio and television commercials of the Worthington Dealership Group died on Sunday at his ranch in Orland, California. He was 92.

Worthington sold more than a million cars of various makes by his count. In the 1960’s, Worthington ran an empire of 29 dealerships from San Diego to Anchorage. He later sold the most of them and still operates the Anchorage, Carlsbad, and Long Beach outlets.

For almost 25 years, Worthington ran a series of offbeat television and radio advertisements for his auto dealerships known as “My Dog Spot” ads. They were called “My Dog Spot” because of each commercial’s introduction. Mr. Worthington was introduced with his dog Spot, but however the "dog" was never a dog. In most cases, it was just an exotic animal, such as an elephant or a tiger. All the while, He also used a song that featured an infectious chorus for fabulous deals: 

If you need a better car, go see Cal.
For the best deal by far, go see Cal.
If you want your payments low, if you want to save some dough,
Go see Cal, go see Cal, go see Cal. 

 

Calvin Coolidge "Cal" Worthington was born in Shilder Oklahoma on Nov. 27 1920, almost a month Calvin Coolidge had been elected vice president of the states. He was raised up in a poor family of nine children leading him to drop out of school at an early age of 13, later Cal worked on a road construction crew as a water boy marking it his first job. He also worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps at 15. 

During the world war two, Worthington commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army Air Corps. He was later discharged as a captain awarded with an Air Medal five times.

After the Second World War, Worthington sold his car for $500 and purchased a gas station which later didn’t work out. He then started dealing in used cars by selling them in front of a post office in Texas. He made some little profits their and decided to make car sales his career.

During 1949, Worthington established Hudson Motor Car dealership in California. He then entered a Television advertising field. His first ad was played on a live country music show on Los Angeles TV station. The Television advertising field worked out and he became a Ford dealer with one and a half minutes commercials.  

By the 1970’s, Worthington’s commercials were playing on four of the seven Television stations in Los Angeles. Worthington would also do a stunt for a sale in some ads, for example eating a bug or stand upon his head until his ears turn red. The Television Bureau of Advertising spokesman said that Worthington was probably the best known car dealer pitchman in television history.

Calvin Coolidge "Cal" Worthington passed away on September 8, 2013 survived by his sons Rod, Cal Jr., and Coldren; his daughters Barbara, Susan, and Courtney and nine grandchildren. May his Soul rest in eternal peace.