What a perfect observation. His knowledge of the subject is profound. Hope he finds a way to preserve what he’s learned so it can be passed on. Loved this comment. Respect
@@ronaldelliott4373 have to give it to him. The kind of knowledge he has takes a lot of time to retain, and a lot of energy to experience as one person. He put a lot of money and a great portion of his life into a passion for everybody else who might not be able to enjoy that kind of lifestyle, but have the same enthusiasm. He’s dedicated, guaranteed. “Some men just want to watch the world learn”
Met Jay at the Windows 95 launch at Microsoft’s campus - he was the emcee for the huge event. I saw him walking around after the main presentation, and he was just exactly like you would hope - easy going, approachable, and as soon as I brought up vintage cars my Dad had owned, his eyes lit up! He’s a car guy that supports his habit with comedy ❤ He couldn’t have been nicer.
Chip Foose is my #1 talented,hands on Craftsmans I've been privileged to be around and so personable. Sounds like Jayis someone I need to meet at 72 hope I get the chance
Jay was so human and nice. I ate lunch a few times near his garage, I remember how I asked him about a Stutz, and when he asked about one, he commented "I have one of those too." What a wonderful character, and man.
The dude spins a Porsche Carrera GT in circles at 140 mph ... straightens the Carrera GT up and comes to a stop. .. Climbs out of the Porsche as if nothing happened... Yeah,, Jay Leno also drives.
I really enjoy how Jay always look a little shy when he’s got an audience in front of him. He doesn’t brag about his cars, doesn’t boast about anything, just a real honest to god car guy who will sit there and talk about anything under the sun car related and knows his stuff
@@davidxu976 Doug has covered a lot of cars for sure, but Jay takes his viewers back through all the decades of the automobile. He even has a Stanley Steamer.. crazy!
He knows more about every car he owns (which is I think over one hundred) then I do a single car, even my own Toyota crown that I will never sell. It’s my “forever car” I love it so much. I most likely know more about building 1jz’s and making the drivetrain tough enough to handle 500hp, but he knows fun facts not nerd talk about a certain aspect of one car.
Jay Leno is on a different frequency, he’s a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, he can back everything up unlike most people who pretend they know a few things. Jay wrote the book
So true! The house hold cleche' 'it's a Duesey" originates from the Duesenberg automobile of that era! What's incredible is these 90 year museum relics were decades ahead of it's time and it's performance is still respectable even by today's standards!
Jay showed one of his Duesenbergs, and it had a very rudimentary anti-lock braking system. A knob could set the brakes for dry, rain, snow, or ice. It wasn't until the 1980s and an on-board computer linked to a sensor, before a driver had brakes that could deal with various road conditions.
Its true the duesenberg is technically great and great to drive. But it has one of the worst prices ever, so it cannot be the best. I'd say the best is the model t, Austin 7, or a 2cv?
Making it routine for soccer moms everywhere to ride yer ass in a $85,000 fully loaded Escalade with ZERO situational awareness, or any driving skills whatsoever...
It's not just cars, motorcycles, steam engines, etc.. some of the first Farm-Tractors were powered by steam engines. They used 12ga. Shotgun shells to start the engine. My grandfather(on my mothers side) was at fair in his home state of Kansas. There were some antique tractors. It was the last day of the fair and we're starting to pack it up. The owner of the tractors had not arrived yet. The men there couldn't figure it out and my grandpa hollered "I'll give you a hand, if you like." "This is the first model I had when I put the mules out to pasture." They said yes, are you sure you know what your doing? He grinned(loading up his pipe, then lighting it and a couple of puffs.). You got your boiler lit? Yes. It had a screw-latch cap where the shell was inserted. The cap had a spring-loaded firing-pin built into the cap(I can't remember if it was a rope pull and let it go or kind of looked like the floor dimmer switch on the old cars to change the headlights but, it was spring loaded like your sisters old pogo-stick). There was the box w/ shells and boom! Pa-choo, pa-choo, pa-choo, tap.......... Where do you want it boys? He showed them how to operate the thing and to kill it when they were done. My bad, I tend to run-on when I get to telling a story.
My dad (RIP) told me that he remembers kids buying used Dusenbergs to take to college since they could hold a lot of stuff and carry all your friends. Many of them were melted down in WW2 scrap drives even if they still ran. Reminds me of that stupid “cash for clunkers” program that destroyed so many nice old cars.
@@CK61380 Like your comment. Being a car guy, thought that program was criminal. It removed affordable transportation for people with limited income. The same people in charge now have jacked up the price of gasoline by limiting supply. They want us to go out and buy electric cars at $50K, $60K, and up!
Jay Leno much respect! Love this story. I saw three Duesenbergs at a big car show. Shocked to see three of them. Amazing cars for their time. Like his dress code, very good similar to myself. Albert Einstein wore the same jackets and clothes. He said he didn't have to think about what to wear and think of more important things.
America and everyone and everything in it were works of art back then... Then the swinging 60s counter culture revolution came. Since then, we've been going downhill at a high rate of speed. With no sign of stopping or slowing down
@@charliebrown4799 Whatever, Bill Mitchell THE American car designer said what killed the scene was the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. He says that's when GM told the designers they couldn't do drugs at work anymore now that drugs were illegal. These space age car designs WERE the counter culture, the Detroit car design scene was doing LSD before the musicians. LSD was outlawed in 1970 and there was never a worthwhile American again that wasn't designer or started before 1970. It was right wing Nixon'ian facsism that killed the creativity, telling artists what they can & can't put in their body ... it wasn't the counter culture.
Just rewatched Jay’s appearance on “Top Gear” from many years ago and it was a great interview. Granted half of the time was spent by Jeremy Clarkson reading a list of some of the numerous vehicles that Jay owned 😂
In the 1980’s, I worked as a chef at a 5 star restaurant called The Duisenberg. As part of the experience diners could walk through the owners car collection. The first car near the entrance was a Duisenberg.
@@dorothygale1104 I was being funny with my reply also.. You didn’t get me. And I am a man. Don’t be such a Karen with your response. Sheesh. Grow up. I fully understood your humor because I am obviously more witty then you will ever be, Karen.
My mother once asked me what I thought was the finest car ever made in America, because she'd seen an article written by Jay. This was in about 1999. I spent a few moments considering, and said; "The Duesenberg SJ with a straight 8". She said; "How on earth did you do that?"
My late Father met & talked at length to Jay at many car-show's over the year's, Pop always talked about what a regular guy Jay was. Mr Leno invited Dad's Corvette club to be audience guest's for one of his Tonight show taping's, Dad was so proud to go & be there at his car-guy friend's show. Thank you Jay, for making my car lovin Father that happy 💪☺️👉 YOU
I met Jay as a friend of mine was visit NYC from the UK. We were walking into Sarge's deli on Third Ave as Jay and his wife, Mavis, were walking out. Now this was long before he was nationally well known. He was making occasional appearances on Letterman, but still just a hard working comic (or as Dave used to introduce him, "the hardest working man on show business"). So I look up and there he is coming out the front door, and I greet him with, "Jay Leno!", and without missing a beat, he smiles and says, "Greetings fellow thespians!" I just about peed myself. So he stops, introduces his wife, and starts talking about the food at Sarge's and what he and the wife had (mean time, his poor wife is standing off to the side, looking a little bored, as she probably goes through this with fans several times a day). After five or so minutes of truly warm back and forth, I shake his hand, and wish him well and have a good day. So, my friend from the UK, says to me, "He seems like a good friend. Where do you know him from?" I told her this is the first I've ever met him, he's a stand up comic I've seen on TV a few times." She could not believe it. She said he was so warm and genuine, she thought it was someone I had a personal friendship with. I think it is part of his nature. He's just a friendly man. I didn't get the sense he was just trying to make fans. He really just likes to shoot the breeze. He truly is down to earth. Not too many people could accumulate so much wealth, and become so famous without it affecting who you are and how you see the world. But he seems to have gone through the star making machine with a boatful of money and his humility and genuine kindness very much intact. Then again, he could be a complete prick, who just pretends to be a good guy. But I really do doubt that.
I agree. The Duesenberg was an amazing automobile- only the rich could buy! Such beautifully designed and built. It would be fun to hang out with Jay and talk about cars and motorcycles.
Jay has also said that the McClaren F1 is the greatest car of the 20th century. Other car aficionados and collectors have also said the F1 was the best. It's all subjective of course, but I would be happy to own either one!
@@axe2grind244 My best friend's mom when I was kid had a 1973 Pinto and took extremely good care of it. She drove it for over 30 years and swore by it. She ended up with more than a quarter of a million miles on it. Not my cup of tea, but her arguments were sound: Simple and inexpensive to work on, economical and practical. It was army green with light green interior. (Blech!)
I always appreciate the knowledge Jay has, especially of the early automobiles. I'm sure hes already done it, but I'd love a historical doc series with Jay as the writer and narrator.
J Leno one of the most respectable car guy known to the whole world. His collection and knowledge of the automobile will always have a place in every guys heart the passion that go's into seeing what makes a great car collection and a love for the hobby in every guys and girls garage. Thanks J Leno.
I'll never forget; Before the Tonight Show gig Jay showed up at the Honda shop I worked at in Van Nuys riding a Brough Superior of unknown vintage. A really cool, unpretentious guy who loved bikes and cars. Really cool.
I'm 68 years old. When I was young my parents had a saying about something that was really good. "It's a Doosey". It was in reference to the Dusenberg!
Doosey was meant as something bad not good. People would say things like "wait til you hear his story its a doosey". Meaning hes full of shit so get your boots on.
Jay is great, but you're missing Jimmy Fallon, James Corden, etc. And many people loved Conan O'Brian better than Jay anyway. Letterman was the second best all time, first is Johnny Carson. And I'm young, and even I know that
Jay is a national treasure and so deserving of his great collection. I'd love to learn from him and teach him a few things I know over a day in the garage.
ALL the old shows like the Tonite Show were ABSOULTY great and now we have guys like Stephen Colbert who dwells on destroying Mr. Trump on every show for the last 7 years......He has so much talent and he's wasting it on politics that doesn't belong on the late nite talk shows.....
@@normanwyatt8761 You Sir, are completely correct! It's an absolute shame. And the same goes EQUALLY for Jimmy Kimmel....ugh!! And the vast majority of all Hollywood.....it's disgusting.
Jays the kinda guy who’d be the grandpa with all the stories that he’d just tell without a prompt but you get sucked into them and can’t think of anything else. My grandpa is like that only he tells stories of the Air Force.
Jay is spot on… I have had the pleasure to ride in several Dusies and I will tell you they are simply magnificent. They are the best cars ever built. Ever!
@@RalphSampson... Well, he's studying engineering, not rhetoric. So a lengthy, hostile response is predictable. BTW, I'd rather have a (custom) three point safety belt in a steel-hulled old car that's be driving a plastic POS. I know which vehicle would win that argument.
@@bretthess6376 I'm with you. See my profile pic? It's a 1962 F100 Unibed, big back window....in the works but, drives. Also, 1953 F100....completed. Also, 1989 F350...completed. Nothing newer. I have a 2013 company truck I drive but, would rather just drive my own. Give me old school. New plastic cars are not long for outside of the junkyard.
Before clicking on the video, from the title I thought he’d say McLaren F1; but when he said Duesenberg, I was like “oh, yeah, he’s right”. As a matter of fact, of all the cars Jay Leno has (and all cars, in general) those two stand out as absolute marvels.
I couldn’t understand which car Jay was referring to. If anyone could pick that out of what he said, let me know. I want to read up on that car. Jay is a true role model for many and one of the best in what he does. Good man.
I totally agree...they were also custom Everything there was virtually no option not available just insane and all made to buyers spec, but numerous buyers didn't get them when the crash happened.
You got a love, Jay, he’s the greatest. His knowledge of cars, his collection of cars, and that he drives all of his cars so that he’s experienced the difference in so many cars. I’ve always been a driver, kind of guy of my hot rods and whatever I have. My theory is what good is it if you can’t enjoy it, I love big horsepower to me it’s just fascinating😮😂😅
My great grandfather was best friends with the Duesenberg brothers and my grandfather would tell me stories of them coming by the house often. Always drove by there private driver wprld war 1 fighter pilot war hero and professional driver Eddie Rickenbacker. 1 day I will get to at least ride in one of these! My family always talked very highly of Jay just knowing how much he loved the Duesey and supported our family friends.
Hes got exceptional taste. Love how he takes his McLaren F1 on a drive, while other owners treat them Nigel from Spinal Tap does with the guitar thats never been played. Proper car fan who appreciates these things were made to be moved, not stuck in a cabinet....
This guy is very personable and likeable in person. So it was easy to have him take over the Tonght Show. He does his research, and doesn't take cheap shots.
I like that a lot, but from what I read, the expression goes way way back. It may have been an alteration of the word "daisy"which at one time meant a first rate person or something extraordinary.
I worked for the same car dealership as Jay. He worked at foreign motors in Boston and I worked in Natick Massachusetts. Great company and still operating
Jay is a career standup comic who respects his craft so much that, even with all his success on The Tonight Show, he never thought about abandoning standup. Continued to tour regularly and, yes, we saw him live. Has stated repeatedly that he banked all his Tonight Show salary, choosing to live off doing standup and, later, his car collector biz. Even with all his entertainment talent, Jay is first and foremost one of the most knowledgeable car enthusiasts and historians anywhere.
There was a deep green, white-walled Duesenberg J in "The Batsford Colour Book of Vintage Cars", about 50 years ago. One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Since I was a kid, it's been the "when I'm a rockstar, that's where my millions are going" car for me.
Jay is an awesome guy with his knowledge and his life experiences he's phenomenal, plus he's funny too. I have the utmost respect for this man. The best late night talk show host along with Johnny Carson. Never let politics take over either one of their shows like what these clowns are doing now. Played a great part on the "Last Man Standing" show with Tim Allen. Another big car guy and collector. Then the other short run show that Jay had. Don't know why that didn't last. His knowledge of vehicles is awesome. God Bless You Jay. ❤️🙏❤️👍👍👍
I think he was talking about the engines, maybe the drive train too. They did still keep manufacturing the complete cars, new body styles, etcetera, until the late 30s. A lot of them were custom made to order.
Watched a cool video the other day with Brian Johnson of AC DC fame. Another huge car enthusiast and all around cool guy.. Would be really cool to see Johnson visit on an episode of Jay Leno's garage. Just food for though Jay.
