Corinthian leather
Corinthian leather is a term coined by the advertising agency Bozell to describe the upholstery used in certain Chrysler luxury vehicles. The term first appeared in advertising in 1974.[1] Although the term suggests that the product has a relationship to or origination from Corinth, there is no relationship; the term is a marketing concept.
The term was first used during the marketing campaign for the 1974 Imperial LeBaron, but the term is usually associated with the marketing campaign for the 1975 Cordoba and that campaign's celebrity spokesperson, Ricardo Montalban, who described "the thickly-cushioned luxury of seats available even in soft Corinthian leather."[2][3]
Despite the exotic origin suggested by the name "Corinthian leather", much of the leather used in Chrysler vehicles during the era originated from a supplier located outside Newark, New Jersey.[4]
Some sources say the term refers to the combination of leather seating surfaces and vinyl seat sides[5][6][2]
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Popular culture [edit]
In season 1 episode 3 of the Syfy original series Warehouse 13 Pete Lattimer mentions that Saul Rubinek's car contains corinthian leather.
The 2011 movie Puss in Boots refers to the title character's boots (a badge of honor and courage - in the town of San Ricardo,) being made from Corinthian leather.
In the episode "Drift Problem" (Season 3, episode 4, 2012) of the TV series Archer, the main character, Archer, receives a new Dodge Challenger spy car for his birthday, with Corinthian leather seats. Upon hearing this Archer exclaims, "Corinth is famous for its leather!".
In Sum 41's music video "Still Waiting" the video starts with a label executive bringing the band and telling them to "take it easy on those chairs, Corinthian Leather".
In the HBO drama series The Sopranos, an episode called Full Leather Jacket, features a "Corinthian Leather" jacket given by Richie Aprile to Tony Soprano and forms one of the major subplots.
Episode 7 of the television series Ed sees Phil Stubs attempt to turn a profit by reselling store-bought turkeys as "fine Corinthian turkeys".
In the movie Spy Kids 3, Ricardo Montalbán playing the grandpa says, "No don't touch this. This, is corinthian leather."
In the television series Burn Notice Season 4 episode 9 "center of the storm" Michael Weston says, "you know, I'm a big fan of Corinthian leather, but..." referring to the interior of the Chevrolet Malibu he is driving.
In the television series Parks and Recreation (season 4, episode 28), Ron Swanson says, "That’s a nice chair. Corinthian leather, solid mahogany frame, with what I believe are hand-cut mortise and tenon joints, pinned with oak."
In the 1996 movie Mars Attacks!, the character Art Land (Jack Nicholson) in the "dictating by the pool scene," says, "When the investors fly in I would like for them, each, to be met by a limo. Top of the line car. Leather interior. Corinthian if they got it."
In the 2004 fan film The Batman/Superman Movie: World's Finest, as the Joker enters Lex Luthor's limousine, he rubs his hand on the seat and says, "Oooh, rich Corinthian leather."
In an episode of the Disney cartoon The Replacements (TV Series), C.A.R. mentioned not letting Todd and Agent K inside his interior because he had Corinthian Leather.
Notes [edit]
- ^ Kiley 2009.
- ^ a b Ryan 2009.
- ^ Denson 2010.
- ^ Modzelewski 1988.
- ^ Fenner 1987.
- ^ Scott 1985.
References [edit]
- Denson, Jon (2010). "The 1976-1978 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham - "Imperial in all but name"". allpar.com. Allpar LLC. Archived from the original on 2010-09-25. Retrieved 2010-09-25. "In fact, the 1974 Imperial was the first to have rich 'Corinthian Leather,'..."
- Fenner, Pat (1987-09-14). "What is source of car leather?". St. Petersburg Times (St. Petersburg, Florida: Times Publishing Company). p. 2.2. Retrieved 2011-03-30. "Corinthian leather is Chrysler's trade name for a blend of leather and vinyl developed for its luxury cars. The combination provides the plush qualities of leather while eliminating the care required by the real thing."
- Kiley, Richard (2009-01-15). "No Such Thing As Corinthian Leather in the Cordoba". Bloomberg Business Week. Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on 2010-09-25. Retrieved 2010-09-25. "It’s also worth noting that “rich Corinthian leather” was an invention of a Bozell copywriter..."
- Modzelewski, Joe (1988-06-23). "Loser's corner". The Miami News (Miami, Florida: The Miami News). p. 1A. Retrieved 2011-03-30. "Chrysler admits that an ad agency made the word up....The Wall Street Journal reports that a lot of the so-called Corinthian leather is produced at a plant outside Newark, N.J."
- Ryan, Joal (2009-01-14). "Ricardo Montalban, TV's Mr. Roarke, Trek's Khan, Dead at 88". E! Online. E! Entertainment Television, Inc. Archived from the original on 2010-09-25. Retrieved 2010-09-25. "'But does it mean anything?' Letterman asked. 'Nothing,' Montalban conceded."
- Scott, Vernon (1985-09-03). "An association that wears like leather". The Modesto Bee and News Herald (Modesto, California: McClatchy Newspapers). United Press International. p. C5. Retrieved 2011-03-30. "Montalban...admits Corintian simply signified the trade name of a domestic manufacturer of leather."
