During the mid-1970’s, people wanted vehicles that got better gas mileage. After the gas shortages of 1973, car sales were declining. There was concern over rising gas prices and concerns about more shortages. Due to these concerns, car companies were changing quite a few of their models. They promised more vehicles with better gas mileage. They were also starting to make smaller, more aerodynamic cars. It was during this time, that my parents got a 1974 Mustang II. These weren’t the best years for the Mustang and my parents quickly realized that it wasn’t what they wanted, so we didn’t have it long.

During this time my dad worked for Royal Ford. The dealership was located near Jefferson St and Eighth Avenue North. The owners of the dealership had a big sale planned and were looking for creative ways to reach people and get them to come in for the sale. Dad pitched the idea of dressing me up like a clown and the two of us walking around downtown Nashville passing out flyers. He knew people would be more receptive to listen to or accept something from a child than an adult.

The dealership liked the idea and told dad to do it. It was time to send in the clown.

The sale was on a Friday and Saturday, early in the summer of 1974. Dad planned for us to go downtown in the middle of the week. My parents got me in my clown costume and added a crown to really play up the “royal” part of the outfit.

Dad never met a stranger, so he was fine doing this. I’d never done anything like this, so I was a little nervous at the beginning. It didn’t take long to relax and get into a groove. I began to loudly proclaim that everyone should “come see the new cars that are on sale at Royal Ford.” It’s not every day that a tiny clown is trying to sell cars, so people began coming over to see what I was handing out. We kept a small crowd around us most of the time we were down there. People were asking if I’d be there when they came by the dealership. I was having fun and told them that I would be. Dad later explained to me that that I wouldn’t be able to do that. Apparently, there were child labor laws that I was unaware of. Dang it! I wanted more of the spotlight and to help sell cars.

After we ran out of flyers, we went back to our car and put my wagon away. Before heading home, we went to The Peanut Shop to get some nuts and other treats as a reward for a job well done. When we got home, I was excited to tell mom how great we did, that people loved meeting me and wanted to see me at the dealership.

The weekend of the sale, people were coming in, looking at cars and there were a few that asked about the tiny clown. That made dad proud and told me all about it when he got home that evening. My response was, “see, I could’ve helped you all sell more cars if I had been there.” He told me that the next time they had a big sale, I could to the dealership and help out. Unfortunately, that never happened.

I’m pretty sure that I played a role in making the sale successful, but I’ve never truly known. Either way, I enjoyed my time as a royal clown. I’m grateful that I have that memory with my dad, and I wish we had taken a picture of us while we were doing it.