RESTORED MARIO ANDRETTI SPRINT CAR IN 1852-BUILT BLACKSMITH SHOP IN PELLA, IOWA

I was traveling through gorgeous Pella, Iowa recently and stumbled upon the most amazing story. After touring the town, I visited a historic blacksmith shop built in 1852. It was Pella's original blacksmith shop before it was converted into a home in the early 1900s. Now the historic building, complete with original hardwood floors, serves as a race shop where race cars from yesteryear are restored to their original grandeur. With an invitation to go inside, I was amazed to find a beautifully-restored 1948 Pop Dreyer-built sprint car driven by Indy 500 winner Mario Andretti, and so much more. Join me, the History Mystery Man, for this one-of-a-kind trip back in time in Pella, Iowa, one of the most spectacular small towns in America. Thanks for your support! #HistoryMysteryMan #MarioAndretti #PellaIowa #SmallTownAmerica #HistoricRaceCars #BlacksmithShop #SprintCars

[@adrianfernandonoya5196]

After 2 weeks without INTERNET in my house i am happy to see again your videos.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I've been wondering about you. So glad you're back! HMM

[@stevedriver1476]

Thanks mate I am 63 and grew up in Sydney Australia around offy midgets and in the 70,s sprintcars. these cars do more for me than a ferrari or or porsche. 1960,s indy cars are beautifull

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome! I'm with you on these iconic open wheel creations. For me. the front-engine Indy Roadsters of the '50s and '60s were the prettiest race cars ever built. Thanks for watching...HMM

[@jimbos1567]

Neat piece of history

[@stevenduke260]

Excellent 👍 Thanks.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks...you're welcome Steven; thanks for watching...HMM

[@robertayers9424]

That's just a great shop ! The building history, the signs and trinkets, the cars and tools! Tools have held my heart for my entire life. It was great to see his passion for the other than car items. Thanks again! Can't wait for the rest of the stories!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Robert. I agree on the shop. The restored Mario sprint car is cool enough, but the shop, with all its period tools and character, completes the story. Then add the town of Pella! HMM

[@americonoffroadadventures8132]

Great video Don! The men that restore these machines and their history deserve alot of thanks.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks...I appreciate that! I can't imagine the man-hours Shawn has on that car alone; never mind the several others he's restored. Thanks for watching...HMM

[@chuckg6039]

Great stuff Don. I'm always amazed by car restorations. You showed the original car when it was purchased from the guy in PA. It's hard to believe anyone would want to attempt restoring that 'car'. And as always, you take the time to show us another slice of Small Town America. Nice job Don. Really nice!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Chuck. Looking at the original condition of that car, there's not a chance on earth, I'd take on a project like that. I'm just glad there are people like Shawn who aren't afraid to tackle such monumental tasks. More small town America on the way! HMM

[@bowslap]

Don, this is a treasure trove for gearheads and vintage race car enthusiasts! I like the fact that he still uses not only the old tools, but also that SWEET old lathe! Would love to be a fly on the wall when Mario Andretti is reunited with this car…… Now, if you come across anyone who does the same thing with the old Novi Indy cars😁

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again. The Novi thing would be amazing. I should run up to Novi, Michigan to the museum and cover it. HMM

[@bobbarker3781]

Great job. Love the History. As far as Mario go the timers tell me back in the day Mario wasn't complementary about much

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Fortunately, Mario is much-improved in the 'complimentary' category...thanks. HMM

[@tombrewsaugh1399]

I don't know if my wife would agree but these are the kinds of places (meaning old race shops) I'd like to visit on vacations. Thing is I'd pack my work clothes as I just couldn't spend a day and not find something to help with. As my mother used to tell people " once he took an interest in cars it's hard to keep him clean".

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You'd love this place. It's the kind of shop where you want to get your hands dirty and your coveralls stained. It's worth checking out, for sure. Thanks for watching...HMM

[@oldjunkman4864]

Now that is some real racing history, great job HMM.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks oldjunkman...good to hear from you again. HMM

[@beberle9641]

That shop is a HMM dream come true. Can't wait for more on this. Thanks Brian

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

It'd be a dream home for me too, in a dream town...thanks again. HMM

[@rodger2499]

Awesome video.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Rodger! HMM

[@rogerozdarski2935]

WOW! Another great video HMM! I love those cars from the 50's and early 60's. There just so beautiful. Can't wait for part 2. Thank you for all you do.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome, sir. Thanks for all you do...your support. Happy holidays...HMM

[@kurtfoulke5130]

Just wonderful, I was hanging on every word & practically watched it frame by frame.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Frame by frame?! Now I like that! Thanks for your interest...HMM

[@conniethingstad1070]

I suppose this showed up because I live in Pella. I'm glad he is using this building for something he loves to do. BTW I moved from Indianapolis to Pella so cars...well, a part of life at least for the month of May!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Great choice on moving to Pella...what a beautiful town! Thanks for taking the time to watch. HMM

[@tomfuller7401]

Thanks Don, A real interesting look back into the early days of racing. Race cars have sure come a long ways. I would have loved to see more of the town of Pella, and it's history. Maybe another trip there some day would be nice.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Already done Tom. Parts 2 and 3 on the way, including a spectacular tour of Pella. Ask and you shall receive! I'm glad to hear from you again; it's been a while. HMM

[@gregsimon9061]

Wow Don you hit a gold mine with this shop tour, what a beautiful shop and town. Thanks for a great video.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Greg...good to hear your voice. Happy holidays...HMM

[@ronstewart9792]

What an awesome interview and that sprint car is beautiful. Thanks, Ron

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again Ron...happy holidays. HMM

[@wideslammer]

Another interesting video. When my wife and I have gone to Iowa Speedway, we've stayed in Des Moines. I think we'll change that to Pella. It looks like a very nice small town with a lot to see.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Pella is spectacular...wait till you see the 'tour of the town' video piece coming soon...thanks for watching. HMM

[@ituri2560]

I live here and think this is a wonderful story my grandma lived 2 blocks away from your shop!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Man you live in a beautiful place! Thanks for watching...HMM

[@ituri2560]

@@HistoryMysteryMan a good friend of mine Cory Science used to live in the house! What’s ironic about that is his hobby of HOT WHEELS Resurrected Tin car club (located in Pella) artistic abilities drawing painting makes trophies for numerous car shows! You might find some interests in what he does!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@ituri2560 Super interesting...thanks for sharing that. HMM

[@arrowkart4j]

Great work

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks! And thanks for watching...HMM

[@geraeyireh1376]

Whaaaaat!! This is a block from my place. I'm a huge open wheel (primarily F1) fan and had no idea this was here!!!!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Ha! Small world. You live in a beautiful town...wow! Thanks for watching...HMM

[@beverlypodbielniak544]

Thanks for another interesting episode Don. I am enjoying the history.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Beverly...so cool to hear from you! Made my day. HMM

[@jeffrivers4735]

While watching this I wonder if anyone has Mario's sprint car that he got his first USAC win in. It was at Salem I believe in 1965. Great video.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Good question. I love Salem...have spent a lot of time there over the decades. Thanks for watching...HMM

[@donniebagwell9536]

We have Mario's first car, unrestored in Upstate South Carolina, it's a Offey. It was transported to the Peterson a while back and Mario got to see it.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Man, that's awesome! Got any pics of it? Thanks for watching...HMM

[@joeshmoe1585]

Great storry Bubba!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

So many thanks! Bubba...

[@pugs7070]

Great to see a town that appreciates history. I think towns are known for certain things that give it its notoriety. Knoxville is about to do away with the main thing it’s known for the football field. Sad! They have no respect for the great little town it is. Great story. Good for Pella!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks for watching. I assume you're talking about Knoxville, Iowa? HMM

[@brianroose7734]

I have a shop down the street to the west of this shop and we restore old Mustangs!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

As a hobby or is that how you make your living? I'll pop my head inside next time I'm in Pella...thanks. HMM

[@tomlusty8376]

Thanks again Don. Love this stuff. I didn't hear you mention his name in the video. Saw a reply with his name Shawn, would like his last name. Would really like to visit him sometime........

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Tom. Name is Shawn Thomas...HMM

[@erbhotrod6100]

Was one of the drivers of that car LeRoy Felty? He was a local Sprint car driver that had the number 7

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I'm not sure, but I can ask around. Thanks for watching...HMM

[@scottbanton7928]

Where's part two? I hooked on your video's

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks kindly. I'm currently working on Part 2...on the way soon. HMM

[@DemonPikachu66]

Time to take a 39 min drive to go see it

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

39 minutes?! That's all it takes for you?! Jealous of that. It cost me 600 miles! Thanks for watching...HMM

[@jasoncoye5321]

Great Video! I just watched a Robin Miller video on Bill Finley. It was very interesting. I also saw a video of Mario driving a modern F1 car at 82 years old!!! I hope you get a chance to check them out.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks for that info; I'll definitely check it out. Thanks for watching Jason...HMM

[@shoominati23]

I can't remember the driver, but didn't a front engined roadster go out and beat all the rear engine Formula 2 and Formula Libre cars in the late 60s? I saw a photo but cant remember the race..

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

That's a great question...and cause for further investigation. Thanks for asking, and watching. HMM

[@xaraxen]

Andretti's car is not that old.

[@slackthompson6984]

there are old race cars in barns and garages all over IA

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I'd love to discover those old race cars in barns across Iowa. I live for that stuff...and I love Iowa! Thanks for watching...HMM

[@slackthompson6984]

IA had tons of little race tracks , the cars are in those towns

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@slackthompson6984 That's why I'm going back! Thanks...HMM