Like Cola
Encyclopedia
Like Cola was an unsuccessful cola
soft drink
, introduced by the 7 Up
company (while owned by Philip Morris
), that appeared on the American
market in 1982. Its slogan
was "Made From The Cola Nut." Like Cola was one of the first attempts at a cola without caffeine
. It was packaged in a red and blue can. A diet version was also available, with the color scheme reversed.
As noted on its label, Like Cola was actually only 99% caffeine-free. By law, a cola had to have at least some caffeine in it.
Like Cola was the major sponsor of one of the races in the 1983 Winston Cup that occurred on July 24 of that year - the Like Cola 500 at Pocono Raceway
in Long Pond
, Pennsylvania
. Tim Richmond
won that race.
Commercials for the product featured comedian Tim Conway
and actor Kevin Dobson
as spokespersons.
Because several 7 Up bottlers also distributed colas such as Coca-Cola
, Pepsi-Cola or RC Cola (which introduced another caffeine-free cola, RC 100, in 1980), they refused to distribute Like Cola limiting its availability.
The Like name was first used from 1963 to 1969 for 7 Up's diet lemon-lime soda which was renamed Diet 7 Up.
Cola
Cola is a carbonated beverage that was typically flavored by the kola nut as well as vanilla and other flavorings, however, some colas are now flavored artificially. It became popular worldwide after druggist John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in 1886...
soft drink
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
, introduced by the 7 Up
7 Up
7 Up is a brand of a lemon-lime flavored non-caffeinated soft drink. The rights to the brand are held by Dr Pepper Snapple Group in the United States, and PepsiCo in the rest of the world, including Puerto Rico, where the concentrate is manufactured at the Pepsi facility in Cidra...
company (while owned by Philip Morris
Altria Group
Altria Group, Inc. is based in Henrico County, Virginia, and is the parent company of Philip Morris USA, John Middleton, Inc., U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, Inc., Philip Morris Capital Corporation, and Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. It is one of the world's largest tobacco corporations...
), that appeared on the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
market in 1982. Its slogan
Slogan
A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a political, commercial, religious and other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose. The word slogan is derived from slogorn which was an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm . Slogans vary from the written and the...
was "Made From The Cola Nut." Like Cola was one of the first attempts at a cola without caffeine
Caffeine
Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
. It was packaged in a red and blue can. A diet version was also available, with the color scheme reversed.
As noted on its label, Like Cola was actually only 99% caffeine-free. By law, a cola had to have at least some caffeine in it.
Like Cola was the major sponsor of one of the races in the 1983 Winston Cup that occurred on July 24 of that year - the Like Cola 500 at Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...
in Long Pond
Long Pond
-In Massachusetts:* Long Pond , a lake/reservoir/pond within the towns of Lakeville and Freetown* Long Pond , a lake and village in Plymouth*Long Pond...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Tim Richmond
Tim Richmond
Tim Richmond was an American race car driver from Ashland, Ohio. He competed in IndyCar racing before transferring to NASCAR's Winston Cup Series . Richmond was one of the first drivers to change from open wheel racing to NASCAR stock cars full-time, which has since become an industry trend...
won that race.
Commercials for the product featured comedian Tim Conway
Tim Conway
Thomas Daniel "Tim" Conway is an American comedian and actor, primarily known for his roles in sitcoms, films and television. Conway is best known for his role as the inept second-in-command officer, Ensign Charles Parker, to Lt...
and actor Kevin Dobson
Kevin Dobson
Kevin Patrick Dobson is an American film and television actor of Irish descent, who is primarily known for his roles on television. His most prominent roles were as Lt. Theo Kojak's trusted partner, Det. Bobby Crocker on the popular 1970s TV crime drama Kojak, and as Karen MacKenzie's second...
as spokespersons.
Because several 7 Up bottlers also distributed colas such as Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
, Pepsi-Cola or RC Cola (which introduced another caffeine-free cola, RC 100, in 1980), they refused to distribute Like Cola limiting its availability.
The Like name was first used from 1963 to 1969 for 7 Up's diet lemon-lime soda which was renamed Diet 7 Up.
External links
- Like Cola television commercial (1983) provided by 80stvthemes.com
- A story about Like Cola.