While looking at the very last photo he and Davy Jones took together when The Monkees performed at The Greek Theatre last year, renowned car designer George Barris understandably became choked up as he talked about his good friend Davy Jones.

Barris is the talented designer behind creating the famous custom-made ‘Monkeemobile’ the group rode around in the TV series, and he was gracious enough to talk to the K-EARTH 101 Morning Show and share his memories from his time working with Davy.

Barris has helped create some of the most recognizable custom-made cars in the history of movies and TV, including the Batmobile, The Munster Coach and Drag-u-la, but without question, The Monkeemobile is still one of his most popular designs to this day.

He talked about coming up with the design of the modified Pontiac GTO tuned into the recognizable Monkeemobile for the TV show telling Gary, “it was a great challenge for all of us. Davy was a big input, because we had to put all the instruments in the back and that’s why we extended it, so they had the room to sit and still carry all their instruments. That made it more fun.”

Barris sold the car to a fan enthusiast from Michigan in auction back in 2008, who now tours the car around different events for fans all over the country to enjoy.

Barris also shared his fond memories of Davy, saying he would remember the ‘extraordinary’ Monkee as “the most friendliest, most enjoyable young man that made you feel like you were part of them…he was joyful, he kept going overtime, he got you excited, and he was a meet and greet type of guy.”

Listen to our entire interview with George Barris to hear more stories about designing the Monkeemobile and working with Davy:

See the Monkeemobile in action!