Although thinking about it, it has been so long since I saw him as Dr Who it may just be rose tinted memories I have, if I was to watch the old ones again I'd probably think he was rubbish.
I think one tends to assoiate with the one that played the role when one was into the series. William Hartnell is the one that says "Doctor" to me, that being before the tale became enhanced at every series, and Davros and Timelords probably not even thought of. Just an elder scientific guy and his young family sorting out problems.