Here's why the most valuable car on Earth will NEVER be sold!

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John Ficarra of ‪@FicarraClassic‬ explains what went into the restoration of a very special car during his time at Canepa.
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#VINwiki #duesenberg #carrestoration

[@FicarraClassic]

It was an honor to be part of the team that brought that car back to life. Such an amazing piece of automotive history. Thanks for letting me tell the story!

[@mountainmandale1587]

You are a great story teller, John!

[@moistslushie2808]

Doesn't it hurt a little to know someone could never drive it after it leaves the hands of the owner?

[@mwhitelaw8569]

That is an amazing story man What a piece of history

[@will3346]

John was the commissioner the grandson of Samuel castle? The Samuel castle on Wikipedia died in the 1890s.

[@glasseyesblond]

You have the best stories and your life is to be envied

[@spud-from-Nam]

My father, born in 1914, apprenticed to a mechanical shop at age 15, learned and used the block "welding" method described on a 1960s Jaguar E type that had developed a crack in its block. The car had been traded in to the VW dealer where my father working as a used car mechanic. My father told the Used Cars Sale Manager that he could fix it and he was thrilled. After removing part of the suspension to get access, my father drilled a hole at each end of the crack (to stop it from spreading further), and he drilled and tapped overlapping holes into which he would tread little plugs he made from brazing wire. It took him about a week to complete the job, but it worked perfectly. For my father, who was a real craftman, that was just plain mechanical work. I never saw anything he could not fix. He died in 2008 at 94.

[@lugubriousenclave91]

I don't know how you jumped from the duesenburg to a cracked block, but what a great story, thanks for sharing 😊

[@ramsfanz1]

@@lugubriousenclave91because John talked about that process in the video

[@Snappy650]

Sounds like a wonderful man! 🙂 They don’t build em like that anymore

[@lugubriousenclave91]

@ramsfanz1 I'm deaf and the subtle said didn't say block, Ioose a lot wit Ai subtles running. Now I get it 🥴

[@Anthony_underscore]

​@@lugubriousenclave91 Most people generally watch the video they're commenting on, why don't you try it?

[@davestoltz1321]

It was a honor and a privilege to restore that car for Mr. Castle. He's one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. Thanks Bruce for letting me do it.

[@VINwiki]

So glad to have you here! Can't wait to see what you and John manage with the Aoki car.

[@guidor.4161]

Good thing it's not going to be lost in some Arab's or Russian's secret garage.

[@matthewjswider]

I went and saw it yesterday and I can say you guys did an impeccable job. I real display of craftsmanship in restoration. I remember walking up to it not realizing it was the one from the video and looking at the dash, and the trim on the leaf springs, and the beautiful alignment of the doors and body and thought “man, these guys were artists” and then about an hour later an old man came up to me and said he was also there to see the car but couldn’t find it. I pulled up this video and we used the pictures in here to locate it and I thought “how did I miss it?” It’s beautiful. Thank you for putting your skills into it for the rest of us to enjoy.

[@JohnJon-b3x]

He wrote that blank check cause it was a tax write off

[@matthewjswider]

@@JohnJon-b3x me thinks you don’t understand how taxes work. You can’t write off a car that’s a display. He could, buy it then make a charitable donation of the car, but that means he then doesn’t own the car. Maybe read some tax law precedent? Or don’t. Just keep thinking everything rich people do is a tax write off. Surely that will get you ahead in the game.

[@LOCKNSTITCH]

It was an absolute honor to provide the crack repair for this restoration. Gary and Louise Reed didn’t hesitate to get on a plane to make sure the repair was done on time. As an emergency repair company we are very proud of all our repairs and this was an extremely special one! Thanks for sharing the whole exciting story of this amazing piece of history @VINwiki

[@Rayankady]

You guys really need more praise for doing that. Amazing job❤

[@LOCKNSTITCH]

@@Rayankady appreciate that incredibly kind comment. We are simply passionate about what we do. From automotive, to historical and large industrial repairs - if we can restore instead of replace that is what makes us incredibly proud as a company. It saves our customers time and money, in this case saved a one of a kind casting, and our process is also ‘green’ - meaning one does not have to find the resources to generate a new casting. It’s a win-win in our opinion! Again we appreciate the comment and if you ever need us please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

[@ActivateMission2ThisTimeline]

@@LOCKNSTITCH HI, what % of your repairs are permanent ( life of the engine)? Thanks.

[@arthurwalls9091]

You neglected to inform us ( let the proverbial cat out of the bag ) WHO'S CAR WON FIRST PLACE ...They Definately deserve to be outed & publicly Shamed & Embarrassed... Come on , give it up ...!!!!! Do the right thing & enlighten us ( Inquiring minds want to know )...

[@CARSwithCOLLIN05]

As someone who has worked on the car (I volunteer at the museum) I can attest to the perfection of the restoration. Even 11 years later, it is STILL perfect. The museum is a top destination for anybody who loves cars or history.

[@gurabirierosanopara620]

Nah.

[@louispaparella5766]

I toured it back in the 70's. The engineering drawings are worth the trip!

[@johnkempf1808]

@@louispaparella5766 I had the opportunity at 14 years old to go into the drafting rooms and trace copy original blueprints for my dad who was making patterns for many of the Duesenberg parts.

[@VincentViolence]

It's true, I was the steering wheel.

[@marielindberg6499]

The whole town is a destination for the world.. niche, but even in France, people who know old cars become impressed by those of us from Auburn, especially when we grew up next to y'all with wrenches for teething. 😊

[@ironhat2]

that man was an exceptional story teller. it didn't hurt that he had a passionate love of that car. well done sir. amazing.

[@SkeetMcRibb]

John Ficarra is impossible to beat, his stories are always the best.

[@spoolyboi9434]

I’d say him or Christopher Micheals definitely tell the best stories or the valet guy

[@SkeetMcRibb]

@@spoolyboi9434 I agree completely

[@dertythegrower]

Pre-WW2 Stories 😅

[@rogerjohnson8707]

Very cool story.

[@ekklesiaillusion]

They're all Wikipedia info that he saw or touched for a second lol

[@twoblink]

I met Jay Leno at a car show before; I was looking at an engine and so was he; I made a snide comment; and he chuckled and made a snide comment back. I looked up and it was Jay. Jay is a celeb; but when you are with him in front of a car; he's just a kid; a boy; who likes cars. Awesome dude.

[@EdBolian]

Always an honor to hear from the great John Ficarra!

[@FicarraClassic]

Always an honor to sit in the big chair! Thanks Ed!

[@joshacollins84]

2 of my favorite automotive storytellers in one place is always a great video. Thank you both for sharing these great videos with us.

[@S2NAZ]

@@joshacollins84 I agree 👍🏻

[@kevinthomas895]

Will you be at SEMA this year?

[@dukecraig2402]

He's gotten so much wrong here it's hilarious, the word Doozy was a part of the American vernacular well before Deusenberg existed, there's examples of it being used back in the 1850's. And Deusenberg never even made their own engine's much less aircraft engine's, Deusenberg was a division of Auburn-Cord who also owned Lycoming, they made and still make aircraft engine's and are who designed and built all the engine's for Auburn, Cord and Deusenberg cars.

[@neilfoster814]

I never used to be a fan of Jay Leno, but seeing his enthusiasm and love for cars, and the huge amount of work he does keeping them in drivable condition, I have a lot of respect for him. And he has some great cars in his garage too.

[@brotherb5747]

That's nice, Neil. Sadly, Jay hasn't changed his opinion of you.

[@stebesplace]

This is one of the best stories I’ve seen on here. Thanks, John!

[@jackspeer2127]

Ditto

[@jofus3604]

WOW! My Dad was using the drill and tap procedure in the fifties and sixties and probably into the 70ies to repair heavy equipment blocks where they could not afford to have it down long enough to replace the block. I learned about it in 1959, he was still driving a 1948 GMC one ton as a work truck. He had repaired the original Pontiac 6 cylinder block many years before by drilling and taping the block but it had cracked again thru a valve seat. We replaced it with 1953 Pontiac 6 cylinder that we rebuilt. In 1989 when he pasted I drove his work truck, a 1963 GMC Series B later to be the "Top Kick" around San Antonio Tx. to shops and dealerships trying to sell some of his tools, over 40 years of tools, a shop on wheels. When I pulled up to first shop I was surprised, many mechanics stopped working and walked out to the truck! This happened at most all of the shops I went to. Some knew me, I worked with him until after high school. It was a very proud and sad time! They told me San Antonio had lost a legend, for many years when they had a problem no one else could fix, they would look up ol' Old Blue cause PaPa could fix it! He loved those old cars, told me many stories about them! Maybe this is TMI, but it brought back many great memories!

[@csmall7842]

Not tmi. This is America. Your dad built America.

[@amazinggrace5692]

RIP to your PaPa. Much love there.

[@garretts3619]

Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing

[@jofus3604]

@@csmall7842 Thank you!

[@johnburch6927]

I'm showing my age but my dad raced a Model A Tudor, with the soft top, and a 100 horsepower. Legal for his class was 80, he never got caught but his cylinder heads and piston were all custom. He was a machinist and during his lunch and break periods he would grind cams, turn cranks, etc.. Totally unrelated but thanks for bringing all that to mind for me again.

[@bwofficial1776]

All of racing is just who can cheat the best. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing.

[@raynjpg]

100% related, and your dad sounds like a kick-ass dude.

[@imdeaded]

This is the most amazing story of a car i have ever heard. Hats off to the team that restored it. That definitely was a doozie.

[@treshmiranda699]

Judges at pebble beach said " this could be red"

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

treshmiranda699 IMO. the "judges" need to lighten up just a bit.

[@maxvision73]

I wonder what car won the first place and why...

[@lonothechamp]

@@maxvision73 it was 2013 but I can't find what won.

[@jschro4247]

It was a ‘29 Model J LaBaron Phaeton owned by Tony and Jonna Ficco in Colorado.

[@65stang98]

thinking they didnt want it to win bc of what the original buyer did in hawaii. Which i think is completely unfair to the current owner.

[@michaelh7335]

I saw this car at the Chattanooga motor car festival a few years ago and it was magnificent. The representative from the museum spoke to my small group and went over all the details of the car. Thanks to John for adding to the details of the story.

[@IlIlIIlIlIllI]

it wasn't magnificent, it only got 2nd place at a lame car show.

[@Blippity_Bloop64]

That bit about the couple flying in to essentially "stitch" the crack overnight is just amazing. I'm good at my job, but I'm replaceable. To have that level of specialized skill is tough for me to wrap my head around.

[@MrFixItGa]

Well, he is the guy who invented the product.... lol

[@ronblack7870]

@@MrFixItGa the process has been around much longer than that .there's more than 1 company that does it.

[@MS-fk5cy]

@@ronblack7870 True. I apprenticed under an old-timer who worked in a locomotive repair shop back during the steam era. They would repair the large drive wheels on steam locomotives that had developed cracks using this method. He taught me the process and we would repair large cracks in very large pump casings that had cracked and were impossible to replace. We saved our customers huge sums of money and they were able to return the equipment to service in days. Some of these pump casings would have taken months to have cast and delivered.

[@DrTheRich]

Especially the newer methods and tools like lock'n'stitch for this make it just a matter of a little patience and dedication, specialized skill isn't needed for this really. If you have a bit of an eye for machining, you can do the stitching. Of course on a block of a car this priceless, you want someone who really knows what they are doing to be sure.

[@nicstroud]

Imagine turning down that sort of money in order to ensure that the car is forever available to the public. That is a true act of altruism by someone who believes that art (in the shape of a classic car) should be enjoyed by all not just wealthy individuals. I love Jay Leno and believe, given his passion for Duesenberg's, he would make a worthy owner. He does also, to an extent, share his cars with the public but not in the same way as this car will be shared with the public now. Bravo!

[@anttyzale5455]

Anyone that believes Jay Leno gave a blank check is a fool and I have a blind race horse I want to sell.

[@aserta]

@@anttyzale5455 Jay did give one tho. He's always split his money and lived on the cheap (adjusted for someone of his means). The majority of his money goes into his cars and he has money set aside for that moment so that when it happens, the collection isn't parted out to hooligans who'd buy the thing and then run it over on KZbin with a tank for likes and discord. If they say Jay put a blank check, i believe it. As car guys go, he's as good as it gets. Compared the wealthy trash that usually buys cars and they end up rotting in Italy or other places... he's infinitely superior as caretakers go. None of his cars are rotting, by comparison, if you know where to go, you can see collections valued (once) at millions left to rot in warehouses, bumper to bumper. And while Average Joe might not be able to see this disaster and horrible thing they do, there are several UrbEx posts about some of these collections. Anyone could walk in there, and ruin these or set them on fire. Luckily, so far there's more honor in the UrbEx than in the so called "judges", so locations are not exposed to the public, but the pictures are. Look them up.

[@christopherwillson4269]

He didn't refuse the offer to keep it in the public. He refused it to keep it in his family. When his family said "whatever" he decided that if it wasn't going to be owned by his family, then no one could ever own it.

[@edrcozonoking]

Highly doubtful Leno offered a blank check. He's very smart about the cars he buys. Usually doesn't buy them after they have appreciated.

[@edrcozonoking]

​@@asertaHighly doubtful Leno offered a blank check. He's very smart about the cars he buys. He usually doesn't buy them after they have appreciated.

[@jeffbrinkerhoff5121]

My grandfather Lunda Kyle sold Auburns, Cords ,and Deusenbergs. Much enjoyed the stills of the cars and the museum. John is a superb raconteur..

[@jameskester7745]

When I was a kid, we lived in a farmhouse, and in the field, I saw my first Cord. I thought it was the coolest car I've ever seen. Wish I had that thing now

[@Muksanim2012]

This was a very well done video/story. I was not aware of the general background of the brand. I was educated and came to appreciate both the brand and the first Duesenberg. I can understand the third or fourth generation of the family not being interested in the car. To them it's probably grandpa's junk car. Jimmy was right that the car belonged in a museum. His idea that everyone should be able to see and enjoy the car was noble. Thanks for all your efforts to make this video and share it. Very interesting and educational. Edit: I very much appreciate the fact that the story was narrated/told by John rather than a poor quality AI voice over.

[@nwvfd22]

John is my favorite story teller, but the real MVP is Jimmy. Him wanting to actually drive, use, enjoy and show this amazing car is such a top tier move. Even to donate it so it can be forever seen is just top notch.

[@jimeagle5483]

100% agree. A car, any car, is built with purpose

[@sepiRC21]

Jimmy a real one. He's the kind of car guy I wanna hang out with

[@mattskustomkreations]

ACD Museum is the PERFECT choice for its home. This place is a MUST for any self-respecting car nut. When I was a kid I saw Exner’s ‘66 Duesenberg II there. The building alone is amazing. The Auburn ACD festival is a bucket list visit too - you get to see these classics driven on parade around town.

[@dougrockey8081]

So I'm orginally from southern Indiana, I've been here twice and to the auction about 4 times or so, I absolutely love the ACD museum.

[@mattskustomkreations]

@@dougrockey8081 Ditto.

[@J.R.in_WV]

I’m a huge fan of Virgil Exner for what he did for Chrysler in the late 50’s….the “Forward Look” really set the trend for full size cars from all of the big 3 for at least the next decade….a 57’ Dodge looks a lot more like a 60’ Chevrolet than a 57’ Does. That said i never really cared for the Duesenberg II…..there are elements of it I really like, but when you look at the car as a whole it just kind of feels conflicted to me.

[@mattskustomkreations]

@@J.R.in_WV I think the D2 has a cohesive, pleasing design, I like it better than any of his winged wonders, and his ‘61s went off the rails. It’s probably my favorite built Exner car.

[@hotrodZack1948]

I have worked on a duzzy for pebble beach when i was apprenticing back in 2004. I worked at a place called classic and exotic cars in troy Michigan. Brian the owner was well known in the scene and was an absolute master. He has since passed away and the shop split up to a few different parts. But i can say that we spent massive amounts of time on those cars. And i remember coming in on a Saturday before one of the cars left for the show and me and brian sat and hand painted small bolts on the frame(which we had to actually manufacture because they were special bolts). I was apart of making molds and casting master cylinders and other things because they where literally unobtanium! Once we got the castings back from the foundry myself and the other machinists would have to machine these parts to exacting dimensions. I can say that probably all special bolts and clips and other misc things where made by our shop and sent all over the world. All of the pointy hood ornaments that are not original that are chrome plated bronze were hand machined by me and another fellow machinist after we got them back from the foundry, and you can still see them on cars at those shows to this day. I wont name names but one of the most nervous i have ever been was coming into work as requested with a freshly cleaned and pressed suit and gloves to drive a 500,000$ car back to a mans house after fixing it. And years later i saw the man and the car on “chasing classic cars” on the history channel. What a great time in my life. I spent 20 more years restoring cars. I now work on semis trucks tho strange i know hahaha.

[@gerardduncan1040]

HaHa unobtanium...great line!!

[@matthewjswider]

I’m currently in Indiana on a business trip and that museum is 26 miles away. I’ll be going this week. Update: I went, and it was amazing! The car from this video is there, prominently displayed in the front window, right next to a bare chassis with engine. It was a blast. The building contains an entire assembly process on premises. From front office, conceptual, drafting and design, original fender templates, clay models, and obviously finished products. The cars are beautiful in person, and it was far beyond what I expected to feel when I walked past them all sitting together. If you’re thinking about going, do it!

[@elpatudo3670]

Sooooo jealous! 🤙🏽🍻

[@dannylgriffin]

You will love it. Give yourself enough time, there's a lot to see there if you look at everything. I visited about seven years ago myself.

[@williamsporing1500]

Definately go!

[@RF-gj3uz]

I was at the ACD museum a few weeks ago and it's well worth the time to visit.

[@johnburch6927]

You will not be disappointed. Absolutely incredible museum.

[@aaronwhaley2839]

Ficarra and Chris are by far the best storytelling guys on this channel. More please, more!!

[@stuffhappens5681]

I’ve been to the ACD museum. Great place. Lots of interactive displays. And the tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable. Cool stuff in the lower level as well. I’m not typically into pre-war cars but I still had a great time visiting. Highly recommend.

[@boeingman345]

Our Pebble project last year, a 1915 Stutz Bearcat, was also saved by the very same great folks at Lock N Stitch in Turlock, CA. I knew exactly who was being referenced! They repaired one of the engine’s cylinder jugs that had a BAD crack in it just a month before the show after a difficult multi year restoration. I can’t thank them enough and again for their fine work! The car is still running fantastically and gets a lot of usage.

[@marinelav1]

Product used to repair the block is called Lock-N-Stitch

[@lookingbehind6335]

What an unbelievable car. Glad the story can and will be shared forever. Such a great example of engineering.

[@77gmcnut]

What a great automotive history lesson. Indiana has a rich automotive history all it's own. I had a dinner during a week long meeting in the factory building where the Stutz Bearcat automobiles were manufactured and another private dinner at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum where they have the winning cars from the Indy 500 races. AJ Foyt was there signing T shirts and posters and answering questions and telling stories. Good times.

[@2005StangMan]

For reference, the winning car in 2013 was a 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Dietrich Convertible Victoria.

[@anonmachina]

A Packard...over THAT particular Duesenberg....POLITICS, likely.

[@carlcushmanhybels8159]

Politics, yes likely. Historically intriguing. But also the Packard V12 Dietrich very likely looked much better: Snazzier, more Elegant, Swoopy in a connected way. The 1st Duesenberg looks impressive, yes, but also awkward, ungainly, of disconnected masses (lacking design cohesion.)

[@michaelcelani8325]

​@@carlcushmanhybels8159..... ...Most car guys today do not know about Packard Bros. and the great cars they built. They even made Rolls Royce look like small potatoes ( RR was a small operation next to Packard) ...Example. : The Packard factory in Detroit was over one mile long. !! Much of the factory is still there. Too costly to tear down.

[@Mr-kn6uk]

Cracking car with a proper cracking story, one of the best. Thanks for the up load. All the best from Western Australia!! God bless

[@yeahbuddy8983]

This is by far the most amazing story I've heard on this channel yet

[@khemchee4685]

My grandfather has a car exactly like that. He has passed away but that car just sits in his barn. It’s not as nice as that, needs a full restoration but it’s been in that barn for as long as I can remember, over 45 years it has sat inside that barn.

[@rxwhat33]

So its sitting the barn then?

[@anthonyjackson280]

Call Jay Leno...

[@khemchee4685]

@@anthonyjackson280 lol, I’m not saying it’s this same car it just looks very similar. But this video has got me interested in finding out what kind of car it is. I’m not a car guy. But it’s like an oversized car. It’s really long. My mom says that it originally belonged to my great grandfather.

[@dustywaxhead]

​@@khemchee4685you should find out what it is. Its part of your family history

[@StCreed]

I really recommend you get in an expert and get it either restored or sell it to someone who can do that, or donate to a museum. Letting it rot is a shame for what's likely a very iconic car.

[@aglioolio3180]

You fixed this block with the best technology that was available at the time and found the only guy who could have fixed that. Awesome work! Today you would just laser weld it and be done. How times change in only 10 years is crazy sometimes.

[@matthewcochran3325]

I've used the inserts he is talking about to repair cracks in cylinder heads. It's amazing stuff. I've repaired work trucks that were used and abused for hundreds of thousands of miles and they held up just fine.

[@YuTbCensorship]

I visited the Cord Auburn Duesenberg Museum in March 2024 and saw this car. That Showroom with it Art Deco styling if fantastic. It's hard to imagine walking into that Showroom to sit down and order a bespoke Duesenberg. Oh upstairs are more cars, and Office/ Rooms with original Clay Models of Cord 810

[@k3nblock66]

The ACD museum is hands down, a FANTASTIC museum. If you are EVER able to make a visit there I 200% say DO IT. Most of the photos shown in this video are of the ACD museum. It still retains the gorgeous floors and art deco chandeliers and especially the grand staircase.

[@MegaRetr]

It was a honor and a privilege to restore that car for Mr. Castle))))

[@eacalderon909]

I love hearing about the restorations for pebble. When my dad worked on the alfa romero 3000cm superflow IV, it was soo awesome when it won best of class at pebble

[@brucewestoby]

Car history at it's finest ! Great story and history of the first Duesemberg! We would race my employer' s 1928 Bugatti at Montery then see Pebble Beach ....a huge treat. People do not realize a car restoration can take months or years depending on the found condition. Thanks....that was educational and wonderful!

[@slimjimmery]

"The man who needs no introduction" ..... ... literally, they don't need to add the tag in the video on who he is or what he does, as he is SUCH a boss! THE best story teller.

[@Dingleberry1856]

I had no idea.

[@colonialstraits1069]

I’ve never heard of him before watching this video.

[@guzzijack9714]

This was my introduction to him as well. Agreed, great story teller.

[@tex77tex77]

Awesome story, outstanding team that restored and show cased it. So glad the owner is such a car person that he knew how to properly keep its legacy out there.

[@MCLIcpfan000]

Jay Lino also tried to buy the turbine from museum of transportation in St. Louis Missouri. No one believed it was him but he sent a signed photograph saying if they ever sold it to reach out

[@davidsimmons8447]

I didn't know that the car was still there, I haven't been to that museum since grad school in the 80s.

[@MyKaushik123]

The enthusiasm with which he recited the story shows how much he is still into it. World needs more people like him

[@_randombob]

When you say Hawaiian history is a bit shady in that way, that guy's family lobbied to have marines sent to the islands, and ended in a coup

[@zalbert1098]

yeah he told it as if hawaiian are to blame for, not like rich pricks from the USA ruined it for their own gain digusting

[@EcnalKcin]

Yep, they took over the island and exploited the natives. I believe it was Grover Cleveland in office at the time, and he basically said it was invalid, and he wasn't accepting them into the US as a state, but they responded since they were not a state, the US had no right to judge the validity of their coup...which they used US troops for. The next president reversed Cleveland's decision and validated the coup. Ironically, the US then went to war with Spain for the mistreatment of the natives of Cuba only 5 years later.

[@thekinginyellow1744]

So, just like the conquest of the Americas then?

[@noobus1423]

Thats the nature of colonialism

[@gunnernagata]

Made it sound like Hawaii loves dole

[@Tetrahedragon2]

This was one of the best, most well-told story I have ever heard. Amazing.

[@theoriginfactory]

That’s car shows on every scale. You only win if you know the judges sadly.

[@makeitpay8241]

sounds like a good reason to not attend if they are that crooked.

[@coma13794]

That is so incredibly sad to hear. I had no idea.

[@frankwurth5375]

Yeah, learned my lesson on that years back. I had started a new car show locally to help out the community picnic. The annual get together had become little more than a drunken Sh##show. So with encouragement from a few fellow lovers of community and vintage things, I sponsored the event that became very well attended and did the intended community improvement. But no good thing goes unpunished, local politicals stepped in and forced me out. The event hung on for a few more years before those same politicals got in the way again. The picnic has once again degenerated to a drunken spectical.

[@rpturbo]

What a shame. Seen this in action over and over. It really got me out of the car show scene. ​@@frankwurth5375

[@Stackali]

@@makeitpay8241 i would still attend to look at cool cars.

[@cstacy]

The man you showed the picture of, the (eventually) wealthy missionary who started Castle and Cooke, named Samuel Castle, died on July 14, 1894 (aged 85). So I doubt he took delivery of a supercar in 1921. His son James (sugar king heir) died in 1918. His other son William (politician) died in 1835. Perhaps you are thinking of some other descendant a third or fourth generation from the man you described, but none of them were named Samuel, and none of them died around 1950. Where did you learn this fascinating history? None of it can possibly be true!

[@joshacollins84]

I was confused at first to hear this car went to Canepa, but as I eagerly listened, it all started to make sense. You guys are awesome!

[@joshacollins84]

I liove that Jay Leno was arguing with the judges on behalf of the dream car that he couldn't purchase. He is such a legend, at least to me. I bet that Jay called Randy Ima, who as far as I know is the last word in Dusenberg.

[@UberLummox]

@@joshacollins84 Probably I'm not the only one who thought this way Jays car.

[@jaddenmark8583]

Thank you. Great story. All my family are from Auburn Indiana. When we visit we always go to the museum.

[@S2NAZ]

I love listening to John tell stories 👍🏻

[@KingJerbear]

Amazing storyteller. Love how he explains stuff in a way that the everyman can comprehend the reverence of the vehicle he's speaking about, but not in some sort of condescending manner. True sign of someone who loves vehicles! Thanks for sharing

[@MrNdb10]

Great Museum. Had my wedding reception there.

[@stuffhappens5681]

Now that is cool!

[@ronaldbaatjes2470]

How fitting.Marraige is an institution.

[@apexxxx10]

Do we need to KNOW that?

[@wtfchazpwnt]

Amazing story. That car is truly a piece of history.

[@cjtr83]

Superb story, Thank you. Whilst it's nice it's staying in the family I do kinda feel it would have been in the right place in Jay's collection. He really is a superb custodian and caretaker for so many vehicles. All kept running, Being seen, driven etc. Regardless, This is a great story and beautiful car!

[@davestoltz1321]

Can anybody walk in and see Jay's collection?

[@hansgruber1946]

What a great well articulated story. I was hanging on every word. Well worth my time.

[@negotiatewithleverage4763]

Great story teller. Love it. I also don't doubt for a second Jay offered on this car. I have from an incredibly reputable source (a well-respected attorney) that in the early 90's he once flew to Alaska to check out a car, offered the man an obscene amount of money, the man did not accept and Jay allegedly got incredibly pissed about the man wasting his time. Now, we all know what hearsay is, and there's 3 sides to every story, but over the years, watching Jay it's been pretty clear that he's obsessed when it comes to collecting the best of the best. He will not be outdone by anyone, even guys like Ralph Lauren, and honestly, I respect the hell out of the guy for amassing what has to be one of the world's greatest collections of cars (and motorcycles!). IMO, whether the story is true or not, Jay is a real collector and someday the automotive world will look back on him as someone that may very well have saved the entire industry by kickstarting appreciation and restoration of pre-war (WW1 & WW2) vehicles.

[@davidtarantino7668]

Bro, I'm not a huge car guy but I could listen to that man talk about cars for hours. You can tell he has passion, knowledge and oration skills that make his storytelling fantastic. What a great video!

[@crebiiGG]

maybe one of my fav episodes of all times, this was awesome!

[@thecowboyfromcali]

I took growing up right next to Canepa for granted. I moved away and miss the cars and coffee, and some of the chill people I met. Love the history that circles Bruce and his people

[@DNHJ78]

I'm so glad that car was not stuck in a garage somewhere and it's actually driven and enjoyed like a car should be.

[@MyRegardsToTheDodo]

And it's now in a museum forever, not hidden away somewhere where nobody will see it.

[@N911GT2]

@@MyRegardsToTheDodobut it will never drive again so it might as well burn down. A car that doesn’t drive is soulless.

[@uliwehner]

@@N911GT2 why wouldn't it drive again?

[@Lambykin]

@@N911GT2 Unlike many museums, the ACD museum takes their cars out for a run once in a while. I can't speak specifically to this particular Duesenberg that is by the museum's statement "on permanent display," but the museum has exercised other Duesenbergs in their collection.

[@thepain321]

Owner was rich to begin with, otherwise he wouldn’t have turned down life changing money from Jay Leno. To have that car in the family for 100yrs shows owner has generational wealth.

[@edrcozonoking]

​@aserta Highly doubtful Leno offered a blank check. He's very smart about the cars he buys. He usually doesn't buy them after they have appreciated.

[@lastmanstanding6081]

Money can't buy everything

[@swagonman]

Thanks for this story. I actually had a back room tour at Canepa once and saw this Duisenberg in many pieces. I live near Canepa and had just happened to stop by when I saw my sister’s friend with a camera out front. She was a new employee and offered me a tour. As she was new, she wasn’t able to tell me too much about the car, so I really appreciate hearing everything from you. 😊

[@jimster1577]

Great story from a great storyteller. Thanks John!

[@availabledark]

With the crazy traveling history of the car making numerous, long, treacherous ocean voyages, it's truly a miracle that the car exists in the state that it is currently in. Bravo to Jimmy for sharing it with the public, and to the team that lovingly restored it. Thanks John for sharing the story...

[@TheAlphacad]

Saw the Duesenberg display at Petersen Auto Museum years ago. It's not mentioned how big these cars really are !

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

I know. As big as delivery trucks

[@michaelcelani8325]

​@@jamesdellaneve9005...I have been to ACD. The cars are Big. !! but with small interiors, due to the 1930's design with the running boards. Fred an Augie Duesenberg were really racing guys, and their nemesis was the. " Great Harry Miller " who made Miller race cars and also designed the"Offies" Offenhauser 4 cyl. race engine. ...All of these early race engines were imitations of the 1912 Peugeot motor designed by Ernest Henri, a engineer from Switzerland. ❤❤🎉🎉 So we can thank Robert Peugeot for. $$$ financing the modern DOHC motor that is now everywhere. ( Peugeot won Indy 500 in 1913 1916 and 1919. )

[@michaelcelani8325]

...😢😢 Sad Note. : Fred Duesenberg killed himself in a Model J in the early thirties racing around at high speed in Indiana....effectivly putting the Company out of business. Augie was not able to shoulder the whole company by himself. Sad.

[@cabeallen1277]

I got to see this car up close and personal this past weekend at the ACD Museum. It was in the conservation garage prepping for a weekend drive, so it wasn't behind the usual ropes and I was able to get right up to it and peer inside. Utterly stunning in person. The black paint looks like so liquid you could put your hand into it. Its presence is undeniable. I think it is actually quite beautiful. It feels almost sinister and gangster in person. So happy I got to see it so close.

[@ariel340]

The Casttle family donation to the museum is a class act. THANK YOU CASTTLE FAMILY FOR ALLOWING THE PEOPLE TO HAVE CONTACT WITH AN HISTORIC ARTIFACT FOREVER.

[@backroadsofeasternwashington]

Meeting Jay is on my bucket list. I live a thousand miles away or I probably would have by now. One day when he leaves this collection behind, I sincerely hope that the garage becomes an elaborate museum with rides in cars driven by the custodians of the vehicles for donations to keep the cars alive. Jay is living the dream! Many a boomer could learn from his example.

[@jakek6728]

John is the best storyteller I've ever heard when it comes to car stories

[@julesmarwell8023]

WHAT A FANTASTIC historian. Thank you for all your work. from Australia

[@ShoelessJP]

Jay Leno trying to buy it for a blank check sounds about right. He's an awesome dude who loves cars. If I was ever a rich person I'd be exactly like Jay Leno. Great video, love John Ficarra!

[@JC-jj1xm]

I have a part in what is called the “Pebble Beach Tour d’ Elegance”. I urge anyone who can muster getting up at 5am to come to the start/finish and check out what rides participate and how they sound driving away. I didn’t have a hand in the 2013 year just an FYI 😅

[@apexxxx10]

*5 am **17:00*

[@Kritacul]

Out of every person in the world, who would’ve probably appreciated that car, the most it would be Jay. And not to mention, he would actually use that vehicle. It is going to be a shame the day that he does pass away because all of those vehicles that he currently owns, won’t have much use anymore.

[@larrysanxter6343]

I have visited the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum a😮nd was able to spend as much time as I wanted looking at the Castle Duesenberg. As a matter of fact I live in Auburn and was born there. One of my uncles was a test driver for ACD. Their method of testing was to install the engine and drivetrain as well as the steering mechanism and a primitive bucket seat for the driver.They also bolted about 600 lbs of pig iron onto the rear of thd frame.The test drivers would race around local gravel roads at breakneck speeds and eventually take it back to the factory where the engineers and quality control people would pour over the car to find any possible problems and, of course, they spoke with the drivers to obtain their input. One of my uncle Bill's stories was that two of the bare bones test cars were chasing down a gravel road SE of Auburn when the lead car missed a sharp left turn and dived into a watery peat pit. The following driver plunged in right behind the lead car. Both drivers escaped relatively unscathed.Both cars sunk slowly into their watery grave and some feeble attempts to raise them were for naught. The fable is that they remain there to this day.

[@CarterNickerson]

Babe wake up new John Ficarra Story

[@erickbernard8208]

Too bad she probably slept, and u DONT need that type of negativity and lack of love in your life 😂

[@UberLummox]

Thanks....babe.

[@brading84]

The factory is still standing in indianapolis, now the home of the Indianapolis public transit, but the original building with the company name has been kept intact

[@jerrycapizzi2081]

One of the best stories I've seen on this channel. Amazing history!

[@gnarshread]

I grew up in GT1 racing and euro tuners. But I became friends with a guy. He owns a small macine shop in Nothern Virginia that almost only does pre war motors. The first time I saw a willys Knight motor I was hooked. The older I get the less I care about supercars and the more I fall in love with pre war cars. I'm happy that you're talking about these cars because they're so damn cool and the people my age just don't care.

[@JMR1096]

There's more than corn in Indiana. The museum is a must see.

[@wb5mgr]

I used to live up near the museum in Indiana. So many glorious vehicles kept in there. Every car guy should go visit. Years ago, when I first went there, there was a gentleman who was giving the tours, and he had been around so long that he had literally worked in the Auburn factory back in the day. When I met him he was in his 90s and still coming and giving tours every day. Really a super nice guy but I’m sure he’s passed on by now because that was 20 years ago.

[@Jason_Quinn]

Need a deep-dive into the "little screw insert" tech, please.

[@makeitpay8241]

yes, more info needed

[@johnnyg9804]

Seriously! I'm soooo intrigued!!!

[@TheFishinaSuit]

Anyone figure out what they are even called?

[@stephengibbs4372]

Started in England as metalock fixing all sorts of castings even bridges,sewer pipes, car blocks, covered by Lloyd’s insurance for shipping, slightly different system in USA called metastich which I’ve seen on YT. I did metalock in NZ for 6 years or so. It’s a series of stitches you put across the crack then drill and tap along the crack and screw studs into it then drill beside the previous stud so the thread cuts into the previous stud then when done you use an air riveter and peen the whole lot and grind and sand the excess off till smooth. I saw some amazing things, been inside marine cylinders, manifolds etc, put legs back on 120 year old fly presses. Put a 50 metre wire forming machine ( been broken in 1/2) back together , base was coolant tank. Fixed printing press rollers in place after a crescent went through it. And heaps of front damaged blocks.

[@chrisrose_krii_lun_aus]

I've been a mechanic since I could turn a bolt and I never knew such a thing existed. I've worked on everything from a VW to Heavy Equipment. That is very cool. I've gotta see how it's done now. I know I've saw some very expensive blocks scrapped for a crack in Equipment and vehicles.

[@regenmeister9646]

John Ficarra one of the great car story presenters, always informative and entertaining.

[@brianbloom1799]

Whats Funny Back in 1965, I did a School report on the History of the Duesenberg.I loved that car

[@dertythegrower]

Digitize it

[@derekcrockett6214]

In '72 (4th grade) I did a science fair project that proclaimed the model T was the most popular car of it's era. This 6th grader came up to my table, laughed and said, 'no, it was the Duesenberg'. I was crushed. He was right.

[@SlammedZero]

That was an absolutely fantastic story. Was glued to it the entire time.

[@ronaldwillis6847]

Great storytelling. Thanks.👍🇺🇸

[@TICafeRacer]

One of the best stories ever. You should get it linked into or shown at the museum with the car.

[@J.W.W.]

Another reason to visit that museum!!

[@lelandlewis7207]

Stitching a crack was common before the days of inexpensive MIG and TIG. We even stitched cumbustion chambers in racing engines. The plugs were that we used were sold by Irontite which also makes a great ceramic cooling system sealer.

[@steveb591]

I hope their is an asterisk next to the Pepple Beach entry in the books

[@milk-it]

This is an amazing story of dedication, attention to detail, and politics. It even gave us an etymological insight in to the term: "doozy", which according to the Oxford Dictionary, means "something outstanding or unique of its kind", and cites its origin as early 20th century, unknown. I think the good people at the Oxford English Dictionary need to see this video and reconsider updating the origin of the term! Awesome work!

[@k1tt3hk4t6]

Merriam-Webster disagrees and says it's 'impossible on chronological grounds' because the term appeared earlier than that, unfortunately

[@davemcmahon22]

Great story from John.

[@pjanke2]

What an amazing car story; the level of expertise needed to do the restore just blows my mind.

[@willemvanriet7160]

Such a great story teller!

[@realgsdontdie5095]

Working with @ficarraclassic was a dream. I just want to thank them for the opportunity. A lot of blood sweat and tears went into that beauty. It's such an honor to see so many people appreciate all the hard work we did. Here is a lil secret. We have found the McLaren that the whole world has been looking for!! That's all I'm going to say about that. Until the next one!

[@detcarguymichigan4021]

I've visited the ACD Museum many times and I have seen this amazing first Duesenberg. It looks unassuming in the Duesenberg Showroom at the front of the museum, surrounded by other Duesenberg automobiles. But to see it up close and to know it's story, it is truly a sight to see. It was the first car I examined on my day at the museum and I had to circle back before I left to walk around this car and take it all in, to see as it was brand new, now preserved forever to be enjoyed.

[@jamesdees4955]

It’s simple, I see John Ficarra, I click the video. No exceptions

[@rickebert7548]

Really great story - I truly hope the museum will run the car.. engines were made to turn, and cars to drive. So glad this popped in my feed.