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

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!

[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.

[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

[davestoltz]

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.

[CARSwithCOLLIN]

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.

[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!

[ironhat]

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.

[jofus]

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!

[stebesplace]

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

[neilfoster]

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.

[nwvfd]

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.

[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.

[Blippity_Bloop]

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.

[michaelh]

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.

[johnburch]

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.

[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!

[jeffbrinkerhoff]

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

[Muksanim]

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.