Meet Brian Jones, a DRIVESHARE owner based in Franklin, Tennessee, with a deep love of classic cars that began in childhood and continues today through morning drives with his kids and wedding send-offs in his beautifully kept 1966 Ford Mustang. From working with The Muppets to miming in traffic, Brian’s stories are as memorable as his car.
How did you first fall in love with classic cars?
My love for classic cars started at a very young age. My father and I would drive around and I was amazed that he knew what every car was. I made it my mission to be just like him. We had classics growing up and I would sit in the driver seat of his 1968 Plymouth Fury 3 and dream of what it would be like seeing over the steering wheel, or touching the pedals with my own feet.
The way the door sounds when you close it, like a spaceship door being latched before takeoff. The sound of the blinkers going on and off — like hearing a tiny game of ping pong. The feel of the vinyl seats, smell of the interior, and flick of the knobs and controls are unlike anything made today. Even the small incandescent bulbs under the dash give off a soft warm glow unlike the LEDs we have now.
Tell us about your Mustang
This Mustang was a purchase after a really good year of work. With that surplus, I treated myself to a car I've always wanted. It had the body and paint done, and all I had to work on was the interior and motor and transmission and cooling system and brakes.
I bought this Mustang from a gentleman in San Diego with at least one other previous owner before him. It was a solid car that needed certain upgrades which I happily provided — seatbelts, disc brakes, center console, new cooling system and ignition. Plus a few rebuilds of drivetrain parts. It's happy on the road and I'm happy to share it.
What’s it like to drive and share it now?
These days are filled with cool morning drives with my sons and evening cruises around Franklin TN. It's a joy to work on and a joy to drive. I've added modern safety features but kept it looking as stock as possible. It's my pleasure to share it with you all. Whether you're filming a music video or escaping a wedding reception, this blue pony is happy to help.
How did you discover DRIVESHARE?
I found the DRIVESHARE platform in an effort to find a classic car I could rent in LA. Then, added my own Mustang for rental as well. I've worked with a wonderful company in Los Angeles renting vintage VW Buses as photo booths for wedding and corporate events, so I was used to large crowds interacting with classic cars that I was responsible for. Having my own Mustang at an event is very similar and a lot of fun.
Do you have a favorite memory behind the wheel?
I asked my wife if I could buy it and she said yes. The only other question I asked her with similar nervousness resulted in our wedding. I was working with The Muppets at the time as a puppeteer and the show on ABC provided the income to take the leap into classic ownership. Sometimes we refer to it as “My Muppet Paycheck.”
The straight 6 engine leaves plenty of room for your 6 year old son to stand inside it and hold the funnel when topping off your oil. One time I had to drive my classic to work in full Mime makeup. The looks I got in traffic... My favorite was a child, waiting on the street corner with his mom. He pointed emphatically for her to look, but his mother was too busy on her phone to notice. I'd like to think she still thinks he imagined it.
What do you enjoy most about the DRIVESHARE experience?
As a customer, I love being able to search easily in my area and cast a wide net to see what is around me. And I love the tone of the communication, so friendly and happy to help when I have an issue.
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