Jay, just fantastic, thank you. Here in the UK, most private car collections are hidden away and rarely seen in public. So thank you, not just for this video, but for all videos you create - you don't need to do it, but you do, and that benefits all car enthusiasts.
@@BrandMalone24 I think his 1930 Duesenberg convertible coupe - the car you see at the end of his more recent videos, including this one. edited to correct date (from 1932) 😕 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fjBRkuIUplA.html
Thanks for this presentation. You stated that 'most people have never heard of this car (maker)' and you'd probably be right. I tuned in to watch this video simply 'because' it was a Cunningham. When I was a young boy, I was really into building model cars. I would save my allowance, mow a few more neighborhood lawns, until I had enough to go to town and buy myself my next model car from the Hobby Shop. Once, after I'd set my heart on a particular car, I went to buy it (it must have been quite popular), because I was heart-broken to find that they had sold out of that one. I had money in my pocket, I'd made the trip into town, and I 'needed' another car to build. Looking through the remaining cars, the 'best' they had left-over was a 1953 Cunningham; you're right, I had "no clue" who or what it was, but it was the best of the "left-overs", so I bought it (this was probably 1962). I really put it together very nicely, but as it was cir. 1962, there was no Google to look it up and find out what it was or who made it. * Just, here, in your video, did I discover that it was an 'American' car, ...I'd always assumed it was some British sports/GT car; thanks for that added piece of 'knowledge'; [8~)
I met Briggs at his museum in Coasta Mesa back in 1973 or 74. BLMC had brought the very first MG ever made on loan, and I volunteered to help unload it and move it into the building. Got to talk with him for awhile. An experience I will remember for the rest of my life.
I could never decide which is more interesting, the cars themselves or the people and circumstances associated with them. Also, on the past restoration blog, it just struck me in a humorous way how Jay went from his Ford Falcon straight into his Bugatti. It's the extreme diversity of his collection and his interests that are most appealing. I honestly think he feels as attached to many of his lower valued car as he does to the top ones. I admire that.
I worked in a hot rod shop for 10 years. It was my dream job but I never really got much recognition for the work, it was always the shop owner who was recognized. No complaints loved it but now I am the shop owner (Highway 101 Rod and Custom) and when I get employees they will be recognized for their efforts. For now it's just me.
I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Cunningham a few times while very active in the Rolls-Royce owners club. One time at a meet at the 5 Crowns in Newport (?) Briggs Cunningham on one side and Phil Hill on the other helped position my '35 20/25 RR. We also sat with Dutch Darrin at lunch and heard him spin yarns of sailing with Errol Flynn. I organized a "slow drag" in the Cunningham Museum parking lot with Rolls-Royce automobiles. The museum rolled out their Silver Ghost to compete. The results were published in units of "Furlongs Per Fortnight". Fine memories indeed. Very nice to see the C3 on the road.
Dear Mr. Leno, I have appreciated the videos you produce about the range of cars in your garage as well as the warmth with which you present those of the guests you host. Your attention to the details of the cars and demonstration of the craftmanship involved in the making of such a library of vehicles makes this channel a rare catalog. I have only one request. I would really like to hear these vehicles start. There's a lot of character in the process and sound of a car starting. From the cranks of the cars before electric starts, to the Dodge starters of the sixties and seventies, to the sound of a two-cylinder bike's kick start or a four cylinder electric start, what you present to the populous and preserve for posterity needs only this aspect. Thank you for not only holding these vehicles for the next generation but making them accessible, by way of dream, to the rest of this one.
Love these videos where Jay goes into the mark's history, and so cool to see a relatively obscure, unique car like this, especially a car we've seen in progress during the resto blogs. And the build details from George and Jim were great, too. Best JLG episode in a while.
Hands down, the best car guy channel for your garage. Its dream tv. The wife and boys are out , you close the door, open a cold beer, and put a wrench to your unfinished project. .... listening to any Jay show. Here, he honours his guys, by letting the world/internet know that they are tradesman of a chosen craft. These fellows are special, and proud of their work. Its rewarding to learn, in other episodes, that every one of the Guys who gets a paycheck, on Friday....................has full access to the Big Dog Garage, and its every facility...anytime! Thats a perk any car guy, gearhead, or up-and-coming tinker with a dream, would want. For now, turn on the TV, in the garage, over the beer fridge, and be Jay. He makes your dreams come closer...............
"Happy is he who makes a living from his hobby." Jay, you don't make a living from your hobby, but you provide employment for those who would. Outstanding!
@ Yeah, when you are in the car you can look at the whole state or country and figure out scenic routes and what sites to visit etc. with an actual map. Maybe highlite it! Where I work at an urban national park service site we ran out of free city maps and I said I would get some. An younger employee (above me, not my supervisor) said people can just use their phones, implying that maps were old fashioned things for old people who should get with modern ways. The supervisor nodded in agreement. I got the maps anyway on my own time. Guess what, people asked for them and took them and apparently found them useful. A map is a lot bigger than your phone and has transit on it also. And it doesn't need recharging.
...while this is true, it’s slightly myopic. Airplanes, VW Beetles from the 50s, 60s, VW Transporters, Saabs.... Many transportation implements (mostly European) had package trays for two important reasons: most importantly, it was a way of boosting profit a little, and they were sorta handy items.....
I've had a long time fascination with the Cunningham, ever since I read about Briggs Cunningham's LeMans attempts. I finally saw one in person at the Gateway Museum here in Colorado. Fantastic to see one in running condition on the road. Beautiful Italian styling with solid American technology. It really doesn't get any better than that in the 50's.
Yeah and then ruined by painting it Burg. Heres a tip to everyone, there is NO CAR that looks good in Burg, not one, if you can think of one, your have ABSOLUTELY NO TASTE. It's the color of bloody diarrhea, I rest my case.
Sorry to disagree, however, the car is a three tone color - two shades of grey with burgundy. I'm not a fan of reddish cars either, but this one looks classy.
Luchace Fox hate to burst your bubble, but the burgundy and two shades of gray were what the car was wearing when it left the Cunningham factory in 1953.
Just looking at this post brings back the smell of the rich, thick smell of that German leather of the period. It's the smell I grew up with, as my Dad had a 1957 MB 220S. He had found an old German mechanic working out of a one man shop in a broken down ancient garage with no sign...He was one of those guys who had to approve of you to work on your car. He'd come through the war and moved here following. He had worked for Focke-Wulf during the war. Just a genius. He replaced the SU's with Weber's, reground the cam, ported, polished and all the other stuff. I was five when he got it, and I taught myself to drive by sitting in that car for hours at a time, teaching myself how to clutch and shift...everything I could do without taking it on the road. When I was a little bit older, he'd sit me on his lap, starting way out in the country helping me develop the proper approach to driving a proper automobile. And he actually put the four on the tree where it properly belonged. I believe there's still a picture of it parked in front of a rest little pizzeria where we were having lunch. I gotta dig out some more pics of that car. One of the most pleasant of my childhood memories. When I find some I'll post 'em on my timeline.
I was so happy to see this video - my father had one of these that he restored in the 70's, and I remember him telling us about all the same problems that Jimmy Hudson did. He used to joke that the factory must have had a short man working on the right side of the car and a tall one on the left because the two sides were uneven! He kept the two-speed semi automatic, and the quad carb setup, and spent a lot of time making a reproduction of the bumpers that had been destroyed in an accident. Anyway - it was a great trip down memory lane, thanks so much for sharing!
Jay the first time I saw That car I was 14 and Fell In LOVE with it. There were 2 Porsche Spyders and a Jaguar stored with it. The Cunningham I Loved. Great Restoration, Richard Watson.
I will echo what others have said about Mr. Cunningham. In the late 70's I used to work near his museum, and would sometimes go over @ lunch to see what they were up to. All the LeMans cars were there, & one lucky day Briggs had decided the C4R needed some exercise. No helmet, white hair streaming, he was tearing up the autocross layout they'd chalked out for the upcoming weekend. An image, and sound I'll never forget.
Jay, you're great for saving these beautiful cars. You really outdid yourself. Your restorers are wonderful craftsmen. Please pass along my compliments
It's nice to see someone doing something they really love. I never got the impression the tonight show was a passion. Interviewing entitled celebrities who have no personality or drive. Leno appears to be a down-to-earth person. That is more prevalent when he shares these garage series. I'd love to meet him one day. Very intelligent humane person. Keep recording these shows Mr. Leno.
We flew to LA in February and driving out to Paradise Cove, Malibu for breakfast right next to us driving on the highway was Jay in this beautiful Cunningham. Fantastic looking car and Jay was obviously enjoying driving it - what a great example of how these treasures should be used and shown!
nelsona779 I believe close to 200, and he has another 100 to 150 motorcycles. But since he always has a ton of upcoming stuff going on, its hard to keep count. Jay will never sell a car, he wants to keep each and every one. He has a huge airplane hangar like construction where he keeps this magnificent collection!
I dunno about that. The Musket video is one of my favorites and isn’t a Jay vehicle. Jay does an awesome job on everything imho, and is very respectful of people and machines.
I really enjoy the dual nature of reverence and ridicule. Too many car shows just worship the subject and ignore the flaws. With innovation and vision also comes compromise and stubbornness.
One of the sexiest cars I've ever seen. A gorgeous, as authentic as possible restoration with no expense spared - lovely chaps just adoring their car, really nice to see. A super job done on a very rare automobile - cudos to Jay for this effort !
beautiful car. Love that hemi rumble. sounds like you got the exhaust just right. glad the car came to somebody who could restore it to driving condition for the world to see.
beautiful car. This is why I love Jay's collection. Its full of real gems, not every new Ferrari or lamborghini that's just come out like other celebs seem to collect
I really hope mister Leno knows how fortunate he is to have a crew of so very talented craftsmen around him, and pays them really well for their always very very beautiful work
I enjoyed that you included some of your employees in this video. I would like to see a video just about them. Privacy is of course an important issue these days but you need not include any last names etc. They are a very talented bunch of guys.
This is a nice car, but darn, it has a lot of weird quirks as it came from the factory. However his crew does wonderful work and in the end.....Jay is a man who really (really ! ) loves his cars and it shows in every video he makes. His videos are the standard.
I agree with everyone. We love to see your cars both new, custom and restored. This one is fabulous. I love everything you have done to keep it original, but yet improve it to make it really enjoyable to drive today with a great transmission. Finally, real nice how you bring in the guys that work for you. I can see the pride and respect you have for all that gray hair talent. All those shows that show jerks throwing their tools and swearing and pulling pranks is not what is real car guys like to see. Skill, talent and respect is great to see and have showcased on your site. I am a retired engineer but would be proud to clean your bathrooms, for free, just to be around that work environment.
Jay My dad nd his twin brother had the privilege of working for briggs in the winter of 1949-50. He worked on some ford sprint cars and built fordillacs and a lincollac. HE said Briggs made $33,000 a day back then just off of what he had inherited from the swift meat packing fortune. HE also said he was a great guy, very personable. I have often thought of writing an article about his experiences that winter. My father will be 88 this July. Great job on the restoration.
The Cunningham Family made its money from real estate, investing and land holdings that allowed his children their lifestyle. His father fronted money to the guys that started Proctor and Gamble. Although in Chicago area, his family was not involved in Swift Meat Packing. He also help found the racing body that is now SCCA. Quite a guy.
@@aufrichtigforty6296 I agree. If possible, this would be a great interview. If not, it would be a terrific article to read. It's cars like this that tell us about the great history of the period and the folks who made this dream come true. Thanks!
My favorite episode so far! Love seeing the guys that work on the restorations. The air cleaner is one of the finest examples of metal work I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing Jay!
Hey Jay. Thanks so much for your videos. I know you encourage honest comments and I'm at a loss to see how you all think the bumpers are ugly. I think it's a beautiful car with missing bumpers. But that's just me.
The first model car I ever had was a Cunningham Phantom. It was in about 1958 and it was the coolest car I had ever seen. I quit building model airplanes and started building cool model cars after that.
By far the best episodes are those with Jay's own cars. You can just tell how much more he cares about his own cars rather than a guest who drops by. Thanks Jay!
never seen one of these,ive been around cars all my life,jay is so easy to listen to and he knows his stuff ,i would to meet him for a long talk about cars ,what a stunning car !!!!!!!
1954 My Dad bought a brand new house for $16,000. So for the money that Car cost in 1953 must have been outrageously expensive. Thanks for the History Lesson. Keep up the good work.
In 1953 a Ford or Chev was about$1800. You could buy a Buick for $2000 and a Cadillac cost $4000 and up - you could buy a Cadillac 75 limousine for $6000. So yeah, $9000 and up for a car was a heap of dough. You could buy a BRAND NEW house for $7500 in one of the new suburbs across the country.
Spot on. My parents' small new ranch cost $8,000 in 1958 (and $1,000 of that was for a fireplace with the exterior brickwork). The next year I bought a used 1954 Lincoln in showroom shape for $1,000. A Rolls Royce was $10k. So no one amortizing a mortgage with fingers crossed would have been researching a Cad, a Royce, or a Cunningham in 1953.
One of the most beautiful restorations I've ever seen out of his shop, with a story behind it. In particular, I have never seen a cooler instrument panel. Literally just leaps out at you! Gotta be one of the tastiest cars I have ever seen! This guy had the pull at MB to have the car delivered by Rudy Carraciola! (Look it up, That way you're really be impressed! Evidently he had that kind of pull everywhere! A real man's man in every good sense of the phrase...
One of the nicest cars in the collection by far. I was a little saddened to see the bumper delete though. For me that was a defining external feature, that without it just makes it look like another Vignale bodied car from that era. All the other mods were for practicality and as a car that will get used rightly so. Though tire choice regarding tread pattern I think a Michelin XVS ( 235/70/15 may be a little wide?) or a Dunlop CR65 may have been more in keeping rather than the XWX ? Great to the the crew on camera explaining their contribution as well. Thanks for sharing it on youtube as that is probably the only way someone outside the USA would be able to see one. Cheers
Jay's appreciation for unique cars is so fantastic! He preserves cars that are important but not necessarily valuable. What he does is so important. Not only for our generation of car lovers but more importantly for the future. His love for, and more importantly his restoration work preserves out mechanical history. Thank you Jay for your love of cars and not your love of money. Commander and Chief of the more money than brains club!!!
A very modern-looking and achingly beautiful car! I loved going to the Briggs-Cunningham Auto Museum as a kid. The Bugatti-Royale (without cheese) was a sight to behold. Jay, being a considerate steward of these cars is probably your greatest legacy. I hope you don't take that wrong.
Who did your wheels? Vendor please... Bob Lacey at Vintage Wheels does some of the older stuff, cast at American Racing wheel plant.. but .. I can imagine you scanned an original into CAD, massaged the file to proportion of 15" and 3D printed a pattern for the casting house.. Please tell us the story on the wheels too. Some of us want to know. Beautiful and so functional. The right way in my opinion.. Nice recreation of the trim.. tough work and well fitted! Thanks for introducing some of the staff.. as you often do. cool of you to share the glory with the hands-on fab guys.
That car's got soul. The underneath is a work of art. I like how the mufflers and pipes run the outside of the frame rails. It's got the Healey front end look. Thanks Jay, nice one..
A truly impractical car, but it's great that Jay has saved it. The scale is odd to me, it's quite tall. It's a lot of car for one bench seat. But the jewel-like quality of the interior components is something we'll never see again.
Impractical ls a Smart Car...A Cunningham ls Something that brand new was at Home at Palm Beach as well as at Sebring or Nassau...Mild to Wild...Best of All..All Cunninghams are still around!
Great work by real masters. I was amazed how much more hp you got with new heads and porting/polishing. Jay, don't forget about your 54 Dodge wagon. You did this one quite a few years ago but now is no longer available. :)
Absolutely love this car loved it when u showed us it before the restore u and your guys did a great job but wheels r true looking but spokes would be great also those taillights r so sexy its one of my favorites no bumpers great idea just needs air conditioning and me to own it O i agree with the other guy need the volume kicked up but thanks Jay another great one
What a beautifully designed car. The color fits the style and age of the car perfectly. Your modifications from the original have done nothing but enhance the vehicles appearance and mobility. Job well done indeed.
I liked all the gauges from time ago. One could see a problem developing, not just a "Check Engine" light like today. BTW our 2014 Subaru Outback has 17" wheels.
Yeah guys, just turn the volume up, so that when you go to the next video you'll get your ears blasted off because you forgot your volume was cranked all the way up! Wonderful!
Oh the good old days when men were men, Briggs Cunningham was a real man and did it all, today all we have are entitled little whiner pusses, the only thing they can do is complain about the volume.
I just love LENO I never really watched too much of the night show only because I didn't watch those shows. I only saw Carson with my dad when I used to stay up back in the 70s and watch it because that was the only color TV in the house. But getting to know him on his RU-vid channel you're just an awesome cool New England old school guy
Yes, Mr. Cunningham was a man of first class taste. Between 1950 and 1953 Vignale was still one of the Ferrari House designers. The 195 Inter and 212 Inter Coupés from Giovanni Michelotti have similar lines in smaller scale. :)
I love that you restore and introduce the public to vintage as well as leading edge cars. Many older cars are from my generation that I didn't have the opportunity to explore. So a big thank you for reminding us of our history, and it's evolution , C.K.Hof
Thank - You Jay for this impressive restoration and upgrade. It really shows your love for automobiles. Not only is this car serious eye candy but also has performance that impresses and endures. It literally looks like some kind of candy you've just unwrapped and started to devour. Lots of fun!
Hello Jay, you might not even read it, but try to google Tatra 2500JK....only 1 in existence :) awesome homemade czech car by a guy who yoused to work for Tatra car and truck manufacturer. The one is very well hidden, but perhaps you could persuade him to show it to the world
Jay has a great life, with so many awesome cars, to be able to drive anything from an old steam powdered car, model T Ford, to a macleren whatever, hemi Sattelite, then a hellcat redeye, WAY to much fun!!!
Thank You so much for that amazing episode about the Cunninham. I had no idea, none, that an American manufacturer made such a beautiful and high performance gt in that era! Well, like you said, only 25 were made, but that just was totally amazing!. Expensive for the day, but so beautiful! Thanks! I learned something new about American automotive history. Cheers!
Fabulous car, I know it's not the highlight of the car, but I m in love with Vignale interiors of the 50s, this Cunningham, Ferraris, and others, so much refinement in all the details, fabulous.
One of my favorite things about this channel is Jay telling us about how good things used to be back in the day. "Only a 2 speed automatic but back then that was amazing. It had 220hp but let me tell you that was a lot for back then. It had a 2 speaker system which was a big deal back then."
I got the chance to see the LeMonster almost 2 years ago, on my bachelor party, my friends who know absolutely nothing about cars took my to the Rev Institute Museum in Naples Florida. Absolutly incredible experience.
