Any So Cal natives also remember Bandini Mountain?
Posted on 02/19/2023 12:31:21 AM PST by dennisw
Many of those commercials were filmed under the large “Worthington Ford in Long Beach” sign at the dealership he bought in 1963.
Now that sign has come to mark the end of an era. Worthington’s family said they have sold the 3-acre business, the last dealership still bearing the name of the legendary car salesman who died in 2012.
“It’s very sad,” Nick Worthington, Cal’s grandson, said in an interview with ABC7. “Our employees have been with us 40 plus years.
“It’s a part of everyone’s childhood and life growing up here,” he added. “It’s hard to close that book for everybody.”
On Saturday, Shawn Abdallah, finance director at the dealership, said news of the sale “came as a shock, although there had been rumors for a couple of months that something like this was in the works.”
“The rumors were confirmed on Thursday,” he said, “when Nick had everyone gather in a conference room here for an important message.
“He said, ‘You probably heard the rumors and today I am here to confirm them.’ ” Abdallah recalled. “He was very emotional. And yeah, there were tears all around.”
The buyer, Nouri/Shaver Automobile Group, plans to keep all the Worthington Ford employees, but they will have to reapply for their jobs, Abdallah said.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
I was only visiting for ten days but I made sure I jumped into the Long Beach ocean in 1996. The Chinese restaurants in LA Chinatown were also amazing and clean. Back then.
Brings back memories of when our family moved to Southern California in 1974.
Thanks for posting.
What about his dog, Spot?
I will stand upon my head
Til my ears are turning
Go see Cal Go see Cal Go see Cal
but they will have to reapply for their jobs, under strict diversity and equity spotlights if it has not already been done
Any So Cal natives also remember Bandini Mountain?
The other word for fertilizer. Those were the days.
Definitely brings back memories. Several of his classic ads are posted to youtube. I remember he’d have his dealerships open until ten pm or even midnight. That’s unheard of in Georgia which begins rolling up the sidewalks at sunset.
“Go see Cal, go see Cal, Go see Cal!”
b-17 pilot stationed in england, 29 missions, distinguished flying cross
just from the look of him, might have been an inspiration for just call saul
yes, i was wondering about ‘his dog, Spot.’ amazing how those commercials imprinted!
My first job in Massachusetts was right across US Route 1 from Ernie Boch’s dealership.
He sold Nash Ramblers for under $2,000. He now covers a whole stretch of Route 1, spanning several towns.
When we moved to California in 1974, Cal Worthington made Ernie Boch seem parochial.
If I’d known of Cal’s war record, I would’ve bought a car from him. Went to Jim Click Ford instead.
Cal Worthington - aside from being a war hero and a good all around guy - just had “it”. He was a natural born salesman. His ads are iconic. He did quite well for himself and his family. There was obviously no replacing him when he was gone.
Those were the days....being bombarded with Cal Worthington and Ralph Williams TV commercials in So Cal in the 1960’s - 1980’s. Cal even hosted a few big name concerts at Anaheim / Angel stadium.
“Go see Cal, go see Cal, Go see Cal!”
Yep, same in Seattle in the early 80s...
I remember when the Cal Worthington opened the dealership in Anchorage. It took a while before we knew the song’s words were “Go see Cal. Go see Cal. Go see Cal.” It sounded like cows were involved. Go-se-cow...
Don’t know if it’s still there.
2023-1963 = 60. Author’s math skills were obviously learned in public schools.
Cal was the Donald J. Trump of the car lots.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.