Ep. 7: Jonathan Ward
After a long hiatus, Sweep the Floor is back with a guest who is particularly close to my heart, Jonathan Ward. Jonathan is an automotive fanatic, Land Cruiser guru, designer, maker, and a tireless learner.
Over the years, he's built vehicles for celebrities like Joe Rogan and, as he discloses in this interview for the first time, he recently served as a consultant on the relaunch of the Ford Bronco. Truth be told, when I thought of doing a maker podcast, Jonathan was the first person I dreamed of having as a guest. I'm honored to have him on the show.
His story is pretty unique: A former child actor, Jonathan took his love for the Toyota Land Cruiser to extremes, launching TLC4x4, one of the nation's premier repair and restoration shops for these cult classics, and eventually creating ICON, a thriving business where state-of-the-art vehicles are housed inside the shells of vintage Toyotas, Ford Broncos or whatever else he and his clients can dream up. ICONs aren't cheap, but they aren't meant to sit in garages, either. These are works of art that you can daily drive or take to the furthest reaches of the globe.
At his request, I was able to do this interview in-person at ICON's expansive Chatsworth, California facility and, to be honest, I was unexpectedly moved by seeing these cars up-close. Though I love old Land Cruisers, I'm far from an exotic car enthusiast. But these were different. Every curve, every bolt, every dial, wiring harness, and swatch of upholstery that Jonathan uses is chosen not for profit, but functionality. There were no corners cut, anywhere. I will never be an automotive designer, but it made me contemplate the attention to details I put (or don't put) into my own business and how I could be even better at what I do.
During our chat, we covered a lot of ground: His background, his love for craft, Land Cruisers, the cars that he thinks will be the next coveted next and why he's not jumping on the electric drivetrain bandwagon just yet. Plus a lot more.
Sweep the Floor's next episode will be out on September 1. Until then, please share this episode - and our former ones - on social media with friends. Share the podcast with your favorite brands who may love it, too. And don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes.
Sweep the Floor is a new podcast where we celebrate the stories behind the best makers in the world, including woodworkers, brewers, bootmakers, mechanics, designers and all points in-between.
Listener suggestions or sponsorship inquiries welcomed at podcast@fretboardjournal.com.
Host: Jason Verlinde
Music: Paul Rigby
A Fretboard Journal Podcast production.
