Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who played the suave, white-suited Mr. Roarke on the '70s television program Fantasy Island, died today at the age of 88.
While he might have been driven around in a silly doorless, roofless car with a Fiat Jolly-like striped canopy on the program, the late actor is better recognized for his appreciation of "soft Corinthian leather." That line, which has become something of an emblem of silly car marketing, came from a television commercial for the 1975 Chrysler Cordoba, a car name Montalban pronounced with such style that we haven't been able to think of that name without hearing his voice in our heads -- every single time.
jriz says:
03:37 PM, 01/14/09
Khaaaaaaan!
jeffweimer says:
05:39 PM, 01/14/09
Darn, beat me to it!
"Let them eat static"
"My last breath, I spit, at thee"
altimadude00 says:
06:42 PM, 01/14/09
I don't think I've ever seen a Cordoba. Are there any on the road anywhere?
And what about that car is small, exactly?
firstwagon says:
08:26 PM, 01/14/09
You don't see many of them anymore, not exactly a collectible.
My folks had a 1980 Cordoba ( a more squared off lighter version the above car). It was a good car in it's day. Great ride, lots of room for a 2 door and big trunk. Handled bad though. I still remember thinking it was very cool.
tmanz says:
09:21 PM, 01/15/09
Did Chrylser win any marketing awards for creating their own name for leather from New Jersey?