1948 Davis Divan - Jay Leno's Garage

[@LGR]

I loved this. Leno directing traffic? Just another day in the garage.

[@lunarpking]

Never knew you watched Leno's garage, cool!

[@VideoGamerExpert5]

+Lazy Game Reviews wow didn't know you watched Leno's Garage very impressive

[@hampusgunnarsson8389]

Your presence pleases me.

[@TylerHartman]

@@hampusgunnarsson8389 Hes everywhere. I loved it once I see he commented on a video.

[@liljuz1981]

@Samir Franklin Samir you're breaking the car!

[@RoyHWagnerASC]

This is my wife's father's car. Her father was Gary Davis. She's got an incredible story that goes with the car, it's manufacture and Gary's life. She road in the car at the Petersen. Gary named the car "Baby". That's what he always called her.

[@ElNinoDeLaFrontera]

Wow. This is really interesting. I can't believe in two years this comment hasn't gained too much traction! If you happen to hear any other stories regarding this car they would be awesome to hear! Thanks for sharing.

[@weehudyy]

That makes the bit where Leslie Kendall talks about her father hiding in her closet all the more real and poignant , that would leave something of an indelible memory . I do love that ' have a go ' spirit of the age .

[@willg4802]

rode not road

[@fredkelbert1913]

@@willg4802 Turn the car upside down, put paddles in it, and it could be “rowed” like a boat!

[@cdscissor]

Woah, this is quite fascinating! It would be great to get more insight about Gary Davis from a close source!

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I like the fact that they don't edit out when things go wrong. That's just a part of owning something unique like this car.

[@VioletGiraffe]

Love this guy from the museum. You can tell he's a real enthusiast, and he speaks well, too.

[@azhurelpigeon]

The Petersen is the best museum in the world

[@trippinpixels]

Jay's enthusiasm for this car was so fun to watch. He could pick out taillights, steering wheel, etc. that were like those parts on a Plymouth, Cord, etc. And his mechanical knowledge of old cars was quite apparent. World famous millionaire who still knows how to have fun while broke down on the side of the road, helping out directing traffic. Just another day at Jay Leno's Garage. You're awesome Jay!

[@themessenger5868]

"Honey I saw Jay Leno driving around today." "Oh yeah, what was he driving ?"..."A blue suede shoe."

[@BobalouTheOneTheOnly]

🤣🤣🤣

[@theincrediblejam2955]

😂

[@Blondie42]

I was thinking it either looked like a blue potato 🥔 or a shoe.

[@briantruck2284]

😂🤣

[@volksfront9605]

Don't step on my blue suede shoes!

[@voicetube]

This may be the PERFECT STORM of Jay Leno's garage episodes… GREAT car… I mean you had the top dog at the TOP automotive Museum at least in the US, if not the world… AND the threat of having run out of gas, the PITCH for the kick starter... with that palm tree in the background… all SO classic… And THEN they get on the road and explain about the vented gas cap situation. All around with the unusual automobile & adventures etc.: I feel this makes for a close to perfect JLG episode! If anyone might pass this comment along to Jay, let him know that I was the dude who did character voiceovers for him from 2000 through 2007 for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He will know who I am...

[@williambeck6364]

I saw one of these on a trailer at a rest stop maybe 10 or 15 years ago in Illinois or Wisconsin. It was non-restored and attracted some curious onlookers. I knew exactly what it was ! A rarity.

[@MrAndrewmcgibbon]

the reason for the 3 wheels was the 1948 wheel shortage. The Drought in the midwest caused Wheel farmers crops to fail.

[@daciamcv1026]

my sense of humour

[@annother3350]

Oh, cos rubber don't grow on trees?!

[@BornAgainCynic0086]

@@annother3350 a wheel is not a tire Ann.

[@mu99ins]

@X X - Any other shape than around was a no good.

[@truekaliban4674]

Yes. This is because so much foreign aid money went into supporting the floundering Italian spaghetti orchards, in the wake of The Second World War.

[@bredlo]

Love the attitude of 'Hey, this is what happened, and we're not editing it out!' What a great old car, and Jay and the Petersen are great for sharing it with us. It's easy to show off some glamorous Deusenberg or Ferrari on a golf course -- but THIS is what old cars are about for most of us: aftermarket gas caps, little snapped cables, and calling for backup on the side of the road. Keep it up, Jay - and thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[@WaybackTECH]

When I watch this, I think of Jeremy Clarkson flipping the Reliant Robin on it's side around every corner.

[@steelyspielbergo]

WaybackTECH I think of him punching a guy in the face because he couldn't eat steak

[@MrRustyrails]

WaybackTECH Jeremy Clarkson would flip a W35B duce-anda-half.

[@thastump]

mike spence I think of him going through a divorce, losing his mother and not knowing whether he had cancer or not. That's not an excuse for punching someone, but the whole "fracas" isn't as simple as the media portrays it.

[@WaybackTECH]

Henrik Stevn Nielsen He was already under a lot of stress because of these issues, and it just came out in the way it did unfortunately.

[@dlwatib]

WaybackTECH I think of him dishonestly saying that the Tesla had run out of charge when it really hadn't. He deserves all his bad karma and more.

[@chadsimmons6347]

Jay leno is so polite..he always finds something nice or funny to remark about anything that runs, good upload!

[@adamskinner5868]

doesn't Jay just have the best life as an old car guy, good on him. I love that I get to see and experience all these old cars, bikes and what have you, thanks guys.

[@lomparti]

The guest was really great. You should bring him on again to talk about more cars.

[@JohnSmith-ud9ex]

Best episode I've seen so far : ) Real smiles from real hearts ! And a random lady getting Jay Leno as a traffic manager…lol The Petersen has a nice face ??? Thank you for the laughter and the smiles and good luck with the renovation drive !

[@newbachelor566]

Jay Leno, you are the refreshing antithesis of the average rich guy; so normal and unassuming, and infinitely likeable. Would love to meet you in person one day!

[@glennoc8585]

I've met some rich guys that are very Jay like, not Jay rich but north of 20 million. It often the guys there are doing ok and living it up to create an image of higher wealth that are up themselves.

[@PetersenMuseum]

Thanks for the help Jay Leno! Here's the link to our project on Indiegogo www.indiegogo.com/projects/let-s-build-this-3-wheeled-car-together

[@stevemumford6983]

Jay always comes across as a really genuine guy. He brings the best out of all his guests. Along with his vast knowledge and love of cars this to me makes this the greatest car channel on KZbin

[@ibrahimbedwan1557]

It looks like those sponge Bob boats/cars

[@jakebayar]

Ibrahim Bedwan haha

[@leeross5633]

looks like a shortened and sectioned 37 Ford put 4 wheel sup and a flathead in it and you got scale down Ford the back looks a little Mercury Zeferish

[@abandonedexploration4495]

or it looks like a shoe, lol

[@narekhart9862]

@@leeross5633 BREATHE

[@wildbutterflytiedye]

Patrick:Don't floor it~Sponge Bob:Floor IT~No don't floor it~Floor it!!!

[@Lolicat]

My father worked in the Consolidated Aircraft plant in San Diego during WWII. He put a deposit down for a Davis. Obviously he didn't get one but we still have the brochure! ^_^

[@alanmalan3819]

Divan mean Sofa on russian

[@fukpoeslaw3613]

@@alanmalan3819 in Dutch too

[@tommontgomery2674]

@@fukpoeslaw3613 In Texas too.

[@davimatte0]

In Italian, sofa is called divano

[@stillbill9937]

The car seemed alot cooler looking with the top off,great shade of blue paint to. Ya can't find a more nerdier car than this one. Jay buy it!!

[@jamesfenton7338]

That Hercules motor was also used for welders, mine had a hand crank, so, by the time you were ready to weld anything you were either worn out, or had a broken arm.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Continental it seems had different versions of the same engine. One for motor vehicles and one for stationary engines. Stationary are usually set at maximum torque and economy where the car engine [or small tractor etc] had an engine a bit more tractable and more useable rpm. Though I suspect that 3000 is max useable power but probably went to 3500 for the uphill drives! Stationary engines were probably 1500-1800 rpm. Though take a 350 Chev, 2bbl carb, wont rev, decent bottom end torque. Just a torquey old slug. Change the cam and valve springs, add a 4bbl intake and carb and that slug now wants to rev far nicer. Then better heads with more compression, hotter cam, better exhaust and now we are talking. Though then most of the bottom end components are suspect.

[@briantruck2284]

True

[@Pandamasque]

The funny thing is that "divan" means "couch" in several Slavic languages. And it does looks like a couch on 3 wheels dressed in a streamliner bodywork :)

[@MrRustyrails]

***** The wide, "4-passanger" seat was probably the concept expressed in the "divan" model labelling.

[@schlusselmensch]

***** It means that in English, as well.

[@jfcc9086com]

***** C`est vrai.

[@LRS905]

***** or spanish...only with the accent: "diván"

[@mrdanforth3744]

Divan was a word in common use in the US in the 19th and early 20th century. Pronounced die van. I am surprised that it fell out of use, these guys never heard of it.

[@r.a.monigold9789]

Thanks for a flash back to the "Good Old Days" - obviously they weren't as I "remembered" . The reality of weekly flat tires, "bad gas", and technology from the 19th century for the most part that also held every driver captive as a part time mechanic, like it or not. Keep up the good work Mister Leno.

[@jond3929]

0:01 love it when Jay sings at the start of these videos. What a beautiful voice.

[@man_on_wheelz]

So... I started watching this yesterday, got too busy to finish watching, opened it today and it continued where I left off... mind you I'm watching this on a desktop that I turned off yesterday... good job KZbin! I'm impressed!

[@taofledermaus]

I'd like to see a Messerschmitt micro-car!

[@lolzorsPwnage]

***** Your channel is awesome keep it up.

[@taofledermaus]

Thanks! Most people just call me names, I should ignore the troll comments. haha

[@lolzorsPwnage]

***** One of the most interesting channels on youtube

[@taofledermaus]

Thanks! I'm trying to get Jay Leno to come play with mercury with me but.... he keeps thinking I'm talking about a car.

[@lolzorsPwnage]

***** Haha

[@VinceSchier]

Jay's the man. He went straight to the un-vented gas cap. Only real motorheads figure things out & never sweat the small stuff.

[@ComfortablyNumb1969]

So Jay actually diagnosed it. More proof he is a car guy.

[@bigredc222]

That was the first thing he thought of, you see him take off the cap and say it's not ventilated, usually you can hear a sucking sound when you take the cap off if it's venting, I've actually had that happen to me.

[@mjlucey-zm7wp]

With cars of that vintage, the fix is usually something simple.

[@dariocastro9079]

@@mjlucey-zm7wp no if you got to change the tires in that case ajajajaj

[@w4cky7]

This car makes me think of Tom & Jerry. This is definitely one of Jay's better guests. You can tell he's been on camera before and is well mannered I would say. It always makes watching the show a bit better but its of course not a "requirement". Today I have learned something new in automotive history, thanks Jay Leno!

[@hertzair1186]

Casey M : very polished and articulate guest...

[@maistro2t]

This is my topgear show!

[@hamishmcghie1645]

Agreed.

[@benderbg]

maistro2t True. A show where they appreciate and love cars, not mock and wreck them.

[@veemacks7255]

maistro2t look for Chris Harris channel too.

[@BIG-RIP]

thesmokingtire is a great car channel

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

Edelberto Hernandez I do love me some Roadkill!

[@josephbingham1255]

I met one of the engineer designers of this car. He lived East of L.A. He had an engineering business that was closed. In the back of the building he had a collection of derelict cars among a bamboo forest. One was a Chrysler Airflow that he said was destined for the Chrysler Museum. He said the Davis was a car that would not tip over though it had only three wheels and he was proud of it.

[@Francoberry]

i loved driving this in LA Noire

[@Blackout_1692]

I did too

[@jamesoquinn9168]

Ditto.

[@ShlomoMyerblum]

One of the things that makes Jays channel so great is the diversity. One never knows what to expect each week. Thanks once again Jay.

[@ShanXiTV]

This is why I love those classic cars. They got design.

[@garystrelow4762]

Out board motors have gas caps with shut off vents. We kept forgetting to open the gas cap vent. I bought a new 1967 Jeep CJ-5. They didn't come with a radio, passenger seat, back seat, or windshield washer. Those were extras.

[@kylev.1163]

Looks like it jumped out a Dr. Suess book.

[@markhall7646]

Thing 1 and Thing 2 would be the drivers of this rig!

[@markhall7646]

The Cat in the Hat would be following close behind in his moss covered three handled family Gredunza.

[@marthahill1377]

Jay Leno!!What's not to like? FUNNY ,SMART.Seemingly down to earth.

[@backyardsounds]

What a fantastic car to show off!

[@markhall7646]

@ 26:29 nice big plump goochy sounding horn and one neat three-wheeled car! Nothing like hearing the mighty Hercules engine rev. Makes me miss an old Towmotor forklift I used working at a lumber yard.

[@trampolinetricksguys]

This is now one of my favorite episodes ever! The guy that brought the car is hilarious

[@uncorkedpants3595]

True authentic driving experience. Broke down and had to crawl in from the passenger. Too funny. I like the Peterson fella with Jay.

[@vanilakung7563]

Front looks like a mechanical shark, that shoots missiles through its eyes

[@juhva]

More like submarine, which shoots torpedos.

[@dukenukem8381]

Vanila Kung more like a angry shoe

[@jeadelmann90]

DUKE NUKEM That's ready to chew bubblegum...

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

Vanila Kung Yeah, but does it have a freakin' laser on it's head? lol When you see the front, the bumper guards do look like teeth.

[@VioletGiraffe]

Vanila Kung, reminds me of Phantom Corsair ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_Corsair#/media/File:1938_Phantom_Corsair_Pebble_Beach_Concours_dElegance_2007_01.jpg

[@peterduxbury927]

In an Auction, you may laugh, but the Davis would command a very high price that many couldn't afford to buy. Treat this car as an Investment, because it has repaid its' owner many times more than the original Sale Price. One advantage which wasn't mentioned - is that the Davis would have less rolling resistance too! It blows me away to see something new from the JL Garage, so thank you. Greetings from Australia.

[@Xynudu]

Good video. Leslie Kendall added to it with his quips - "that's what happens when it's out of warranty". He He good one. The car looks like an oversized dodgem. Great to see the Petersen collection featuring these vehicles. Look forward to more of them.

[@standardengineco.7428]

This may be most realistic, normal old-car segment ever. Thanks for showing and helping them raise a few bucks.

[@VintageTexas59]

Spilled my coffee when he pulled the headlight lever control. Fun looking car, thanks for sharing Jay.

[@hertzair1186]

VintageTexas59 :the old Opel GT also had a mechanical lever to pop up/turn on the headlights...

[@scott8919]

I loved learning about this car. Thank you Jay and everyone who took part in this video.

[@QUAD405]

I love this channel. Thank you mister Jay Leno for making these awesome videos.

[@sideshowbob1544]

I like that you keep your cars in running condition and take them out and drive em, and enjoy em, instead of just leaving them in a tomb.

[@SuperWayneyb]

It's like a Reliant Robin on steroids 😀

[@wordreet]

wayne burgess On burgers more like. ;¬)

[@SuperWayneyb]

lol :)

[@bzmaro]

It's the reliant robins grandfather lol

[@blahblah2018]

wayne burgess lol, I just thought of Top Gear's review of the Reliant Robin.

[@SuperWayneyb]

Me too lol

[@larrypatchett3474]

When our family moved to Denver in 1965, we saw that car on a regular basis. It was owned by a fellow named Ken Mausauf, a one-time Secretary of State for Colorado. He had a small, specialty car lot on South Broadway in Englewood. The Davis was almost always, there on the lot, except for when Ken was driving it down Broadway. So happy Jay asked about the history of the car. As soon as I saw the color, it looked familiar.

[@Ismunoz]

Jay is just a 60 something year old kid with tons of money and a great mind.

[@briantruck2284]

70s

[@chasbarnes3425]

I’m glad Jay was trying to show us what the problem was with the gas cap I like how he explains things and actually shows the object or item he is talking about. Instead of us trying to visualize it this goes for every episode he makes awsome show Jay keep’em comein please and thank you

[@FragNet0]

Makes me think about the thunderbirds, this design, looks like a fun car to drive

[@marksherrill9337]

Best thing about Leno’s garage is no politics.

[@GentlemanBikerVlog]

Ohhh that was brilliant, priceless! Thanks for showing us the car Jay, I've never seen one before :o

[@Roopull]

This makes me want Jay to check out the Elio even more... With all the start-ups and odd-ball cars he's had, I would love to see his take on the Elio!

[@GasserGlass]

NEAT STUFF............... I love these Oddball cars!

[@paulgracey4697]

For a three wheeler from that era it handles very well due to the low center of gravity. My first job was as a chauffeur driving a 1954 Chrysler Imperial sedan. It's high center of gravity was very roll-prone on highways engineered for 45 mph upon which most other cars could do the California limit of 65mph handily. My first experience with my Dad's SUV reminded me of that Chrysler. Another point I found in its favor for those times was that three wheels meant one less tire and tube needed to be replaced. Twenty thousand miles for tires of that era was good. What amazes me is how they managed that low floor,without a drive shaft tunnel. I think I would also want some heavy luggage in the trunk when descending steep hills in that car, though.

[@daveydmur]

Jay, I love the show. I would love to see a Bricklin in an episode if possible. Thanks for the great work.

[@flonkbob8246]

Reminds me (in feel, though not looks) of my first car. A '63 Triumph Hearald. These old beauties are just so appealing to me. Thanks for this one Jay!

[@papayaman123]

Looks like a toy boat I used to have when I was a kid

[@johnrockerpizza1]

This episode is hilarious! 20:59 4 guys on couch 22:27 admiring cyclist 25:04 Handshake fake out

[@comet1996]

OMG...yes I would drive this!!

[@ikkepic]

What a SUPER model Jay! It could have been Citroën, because the front has a bit DS in it.

[@quintonmchale7997]

Imagine the carnage that would of resulted back in the 40's ; turnovers, no seat belts, roll bars, crash testing. it was a futuristic looking car for the times though, but poorly thought out from a safety standpoint

[@2DangerousDan]

Brings back memories, I had the same problem with my 1954 Chevy Wagon in 1972 after I replace the original gas cap.

[@TaiChiGhost]

When I was a kid, "divan" was another word for "couch."

[@83cloverleaf]

No Divan is a bed type thing (cot) you keep in living room..

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Some people say 'davenport' for couch/sofa...

[@gizzyguzzi]

still is. that's what it was named for

[@vetterfellow]

Hey Jay; Reminds me of an electric bumper car at a carnival. And that trunk could fit four BODIES in there !!. As far as the gas goes my old lawn mower did that you needed to burp it - ( open the cap and let air in or it wasn't going to run ) Love the two arm power steering LOL. Thanks Jay for your channel.

[@DenitaArnold]

It reminds me of a giant bumper car LOL 😂

[@RoyHWagnerASC]

My wife, Jill Davis, said that after Gary got out of jail he designed the cars for Disneyland autopia. Incidentally the car shown was named “baby” because that’s what Gary called his little girl.

[@johnsmith1474]

Fantastic Q&A, Leno you really are good pulling out the pertinent history and creating a full story that is more than just a look & see. You take your time, let ideas come to mind, wonderful to watch (and I don't even particularly like the car). Thanks!

[@RyanMcIntyre]

"That's how you know it's a real Davis, is something's broken on it"

[@ascottrusso]

Ryan McIntyre I was like 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Kavoriken]

Thank you for introducing us to that car, i had a big smile on my face for the entire length of the video. Without a safety belt and with brakes from the late 40's i'd probably skip on taking a ride, haha.

[@231flash]

Looks like a wind up mouse.

[@androo4519]

Wonderful. Used to marvel at the Davis is in a book I got when I was thirteen. Cool to see one actually driving along.

[@integritysolution1386]

Jay, I like you. But Preston Tucker was acquitted and never went to jail. He died of cancer in 1956. You might want to correct that comment in a future video.

[@Catman66]

I love yje really odd stuff Jay finds for his videos. Nothing is as odd as a 3 wheeled car from 1948! I actually saw one of these in a car museum in Auburn, IN. Very cool to actually see one on the road! :)

[@Surfnut]

DON'T RESTORE IT!!! You can restore a car a million times but It's only original once. That car looks good, runs and drives well enough and is a virtual time capsule from 1948. Fix the door hinge, hood cable, safety stuff, etc.. but leave everything else exactly like it is. I'd give money to a kickstarter campaign to NOT restore it!

[@volundrfrey896]

You'd pay money to see this car end up being a dead shell? They wont restore it to some show car level that it was never meant to be, they will fix the faults and allow it to be kept alive for many more years and those things are expensive on cars like these.

[@deaddoll1361]

@@volundrfrey896 This car obviously isn't a "dead shell" and restoration generally means being bought back to original new condition, not just "fixing the faults". Things break on old Ferraris, Jags and Rolls Royces, that's part of owning an aged, limited production vehicle. Fixing that stuff isn't restoration, nor should it require "donations". The fact the engine is missing, the bonnet won't open and they "ran out of gas" looks like a set up for begging for money. A competent person could have had the car gassed up and running on 4 cylinders before bringing it on the program.

[@danforddancross8623]

In deed leave it be....

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Just tidy up the obvious faults, it was running poorly, the exhaust had a hole etc. A mechanical tidy up and it should be as good as it ever was. And a new PETROL cap!

[@PHAEDRIDER]

i'm a small engine mechanic by trade. i LOVE that he suspected and diagnosed the problem as the gas cao

[@branon6565]

That shot of the factory Davis bought and used to build this car is wonderful. Look at the farm land, the empty fields, no rows and rows of houses, no illegal immigrants/gang members, no homeless folks....man, California really was once a beautiful place...

[@gerryyaum]

This channel is great when they have fun vehicles like this on. I am not a car guy, know nothing about them, but loved this episode.

[@nannybooboo7380]

Wow beautiful love it

[@nannybooboo7380]

Donny lamb u like this??

[@GrumpyXer]

Same thing happen on my John Deere lawn tractor. Gas cap vent was clogged and it would backfire and stall after twenty minutes or so. Took me all summer to figure that out. Jay had it figured out right away.

[@vikingfaen]

The Glamourus Reliant Robin

[@ezrabrooks12]

Leno, not only has a massive collection,he gets to also drive some very rare ones also.The one I like best is the Steamer that he took out.

[@deltavee2]

What is the name of that short vocal music right at the start that ends with a yip?

[@fish4free1]

One of your best episodes Jay. Initially, I was more than a little skeptical, but the episode paid great dividends. Oh btw, Gary is a really charming guest.

[@zelbole]

Just silly. Very silly. The Easter bunny drives one of these. A great eggsample of automotive engineering. That joke was even too cheesy for Jay. Lol. :-)

[@neilgibbons2532]

Kevin Dilke look like a baby frog car ie citrion

[@robertbuchwald6514]

Looks like a bumper car from a carnival ride. A real gem !

[@gizzyguzzi]

funny. I just found The Davis Registry. Said the guy later sold bumper cars!

[@jpatt1000]

What would've been really funny when you broke down is if someone would've yell at you to buy an American car!

[@mossylog8]

Still waiting for my Elio three wheeler I put a deposit on. Production delayed again in Shreveport,LA. Love this episode. Reminds me of Seinfeld's, Comedians in Cars Getting coffee.

[@nhojeod421]

haha. it looks like a clothes iron driving down the road.

[@mattkaustickomments]

I had a feeling it was vapor locked. I love it when the solution is simple!

[@MaistoHelix]

It looks like a car from Fallout

[@ubbgn]

Yes, because back then they played fallout to! :)

[@MaistoHelix]

lol

[@hypnotised-clover]

ubbgn no

[@jamesconraadtucker]

Fun car, fun show, and last but not least, Jay Leno. Fun guy! Last of the Tonight Show greats!

[@soton000]

Now I know where CITROEN DS came from :-)))

[@michaelXXLF]

Interesting. Only two weeks ago I read about this car for the first time ever (No wonder here.) and now Jay is driving it down the road! Very cool engine sound, me thinketh!

[@851995STARGATE]

Found the donation link: www.indiegogo.com/projects/let-s-build-this-3-wheeled-car-together Put a $1 in for giggles to get it done

[@DRDolerite]

You are a dude Mr. Leno, good work, and thanks for doing all these and showing your enthusiasm