Thank you Jay for the wonderful video about the 50 Plymouth Suburban and tribute to my father, Leonard Kolodziejski. More than anything he was proud of his family, his car and his service to his country. He was always a big fan of your show and never missed an episode, we spent many evenings when we were caring for him at home, watching it together. I know he would be so happy to know that his car will be well taken care of and available for others to enjoy. Thank you for taking the time to go through the details of the car and my dad’s meticulous records, it brought back great memories. Also, thank you for your on-going support of our veterans and your kindness. One example of your kindness was your call to my sister on Christmas eve morning to see if we liked the video. We did, it was a wonderful tribute to both the car and my father. And thanks to everyone who left such positive and heartwarming comments, this was the best Christmas present ever. Susan Kole (formerly Susan Kolodziejski)
I'll never forget how thankful this episode made me feel this Christmas Eve. Thank you for sharing your dads story with us. And thank you Jay for how you honored his memory!
Merry Christmas Susan! What A great tribute to your Dad & his Car, A great Christmas Eve Story for all to share, as A Army Vet I Salute Sergeant Leonard Kolodziejski!
Jay Leno: one of the few Hollywood people that's genuine anymore, the kind of guy I'd truly enjoy just spending the day with; just talking about cars and hangin' out. Thanks Jay, for such a great show, and just being real.
I couldn't agree more. The back story of Leonard and the way he took care of this car after serving his country in the military is special. I appreciate Jay and what he does for auto enthusiasts, all cars are special in their own way and for that I will always be a fan of his. Thank you Mr. Leno, Merry Christmas.
I'm not even that much of a car enthusiast. I'm not an American, so I've never really seen many of these great cars - but I love the story behind them. And I love how Leno tells that story. Great stuff.
Agreed. The best part of this being on UA-cam is the freedom to put out a video without worrying about fitting it into any time slot. Just take the time to show and talk about the car. Love it. I watch it every week as soon as I see that notification.
"I'm really glad that people just save regular cars like this." I don't think I could have put it better. I currently have a 2008 Toyota Sienna, and she's my pride and joy. My first car, inherited her from my mom when I was 16, and I never want to get rid of her. She's done everything I've asked of her, and I've done everything she's asked of me. Because of you I want to keep this minivan running for as long as I live. I now have a service log that I keep in the door and record everything I've done, what date, and what mileage. I just hope that someday there's someone like you that I can pass her on to that will care for her as I do. Thank you Jay, and thank you Mr./Sgt. Kolodziejski for your service and for preserving this wonderful car.
This episode somehow brought some peace. The way Jay is reminiscning and many of us really knowing how he feels remembering the good ol days. You can hear it in his voice.
@@1voiceofstl Uhmm what does that have to do with what I said? Are the kind of person that drinks coffee in the morning and says "AHHHHH Trump coffee I love it".
You're right, but I think just about anyone (excluding minorities, I guess) that lived through those times would have liked it enough to get all nostalgic like Jay is getting, because the idea of being able to feed 4 people for $1 is just amazing. That is actually a good example of how CEOs have ripped employees and customers off over the years, prices have gone up 20x since then for the same burger from McDonalds, but have wages kept pace to match? No. The fact that minimum wage still hasn't been set to permanently reflect the fluctuation of inflation is downright disrespectful.
He is not he even said quote "Well I am not a fan," in a interview you can miss the simpler days and not be racist the difference is as long as you knew the flaws of back then and last one may have eve had a childhood back then so of course they would look back fondly.@@1voiceofstl
You know, I’m really thankful for Jay and the fact that he shares his collection and knowledge with us, but I’d also like to give a shout out to the guys behind the camera catching the really great sound the doors make as they close, and the guy that edits the videos that makes it onto UA-cam.
I'm a picture car driver/mechanic for the film industry. I meet these kind of guys on every show and they are awesome. It is a pleasure to work with such talented people.
*That's the kind of car that requires "an old soul" to collect and keep - not the most superlative at anything, really. It's really just a Time Capsule of a special time in America that deserves to be loved and cherished.*
@@jaredmehrlich6683 put an * in the space before and the space after what you want bolded. Doesn't always work. Seems pretty reliable for first sentence. seems pretty unreliable for two or three times in one post. Really flaky if doing words in the middle of sentences, repeatedly. Now you try.
I loved my first car, 1970 Ford Maverick, it was a great car. No power steering, no power breaks, no air conditioning, crank windows. It was simple, even though I'm not very mechanical, I even did some of the repairs myself. No junk on it, like the crap the put on the cars now, which break down too easily. My neighbour's friend, could not drive his car for a number of months, because it needed a computer chip and he was stuck waiting for it. I drove my little car all over, even on long trips, it was great. It rusted out after a number of years, so I traded it it years later, but I still remember that tough little car. Have a picture of me with it, my first car, will never forget that great little car and the places it took me.
They say that you die twice. Once when you physically die. The second time when your name is said for the last time. Thanks to Leonard, his daughters and Jay for ensuring Leonard lives on much longer. We owe each of you a debt of gratitude. The love and pride not just for the car but also for the hobby of older cars and for Leonard as a soldier, contributor and father. Thank you.
Don't get me wrong, I like the other videos featuring the super cars and having the odd celebrity and non-celebrity guests, but there's something refreshing about just Jay going over a car he loves, regardless of any prestige or reputation that vehicle has. One of the best channels on UA-cam. And if I could request a topic for a video, I would love one where Jay just takes on a tour through his entire garage so we can see just how big it is.
@Accretion Disk That's the thing though. I wouldnt want a detailed summary of each car, just show the room and maybe point out a few favourites or special cars, maybe ones he hasn't featured on the show.
I don't know if Jay or his staff monitors these comments, but for those of us who live in So. Cal., and for those who visit here, wouldn't it be great if Jay once or twice a year had an "all day" tour through his facility?!?! I know I'd _really_ enjoy that, and would _gladly_ pay for it. I've paid for the "hard hat" tour of Hoover Dam; I'd certainly pay to say Jay's facility.
@@josephgaviota While I hope Jay is around for many, many more years to come, I hope he has already set up a trust to maintain his "garage" well after he is gone and hopefully open it to the public a la Graceland but for gear heads.
I agree 100% keeping this car original. How many more 350s do we need to see jammed into a classic car? Thank you for saving and preserving these cars.
Love the video and the tribute to Leonard. Many thanks. I was born in 1946. My dad liked the Plymouths, several friends and family praised them as cheap to buy, to drive, to maintain. So he started buying them. We had several over the years. I remember a 49 or 50 that was maroon but the fenders faded and the black primer paint was showing. There were some cold Wisconsin winters when that old Plymouth started right up but newer cars wouldn't. He moved us to Texas in 1955 to get a great paying job at an aircraft plant. He was able to clear security requirements because he had been in WWII. We only stayed two years, dad missed his family. We drove all the way to WI pulling a big trailer full of furniture with that little six cylinder. No interstate back then, there were some steep hills where the car would be in second gear all the way to the top. She never over heated! He owned Plymouths till he passed away. I owned a few in my lifetime and had good service from them. I'm currently driving Jeeps, no reflection on the Plymouths, they just don't make an all wheel drive.
Jay, I just bought a 49 Dodge Custom 4 door sedan, all original, and I hold you completely responsible, videos like these over the years made me love the post war american cars, they are truly amazing and I thank you :)
What's neat ( I think ) is that 1 of the PR sales brochures for the 49 Dodge Deluxe showed an exploded view of a fully disassembled car on the floor, stating how simple it was to build and maintain. All you really needed was a simple set of hand tools!! Those were the days..
@chris richard so very true! The car is so basic and made to be worked on and maintained not replaced, such a different mindset than todays cars, and the fluid drive, what an amazing thing! makes driving the car a pure pleasure in traffic, cheers :)
Jay so glad this americana piece of auto history is now residing at your auto museum where it will be appreciated for what it really was and still is ! I will be 78 yrs of age and my father had three vintage Plymouths two 49 s' and a 53, , Cranbrook, I was a kid and we drove those cars from Illinois to South Dakota on many trips to see relatives...These cars were always dependable and never gave my dad any trouble....very dependable...so glad you appreciate these and said we are only caretakers as these and thee will be enjoyed by others in the future...God Bless Dana...
Thank you, thank you very much! Sick and tired of all the resto-mod/modern hyper car/rest of boring cars. I really enjoy the original unrestored "good old girl" cars from Mr. Leno.
RL R Well to me it depends on the car. Muscle cars make great Restomods , pickup trucks look great with Patina but an old wagon is most charming when it’s all original
Yes. They are original only once. They have character. They should be cherished and preserved as they were designed. Want a fast car? There are plenty of them at any dealership. Go buy one and have fun.
The body for your Plymouth was built by Briggs before Chrysler bought Briggs in '54 - Briggs was the best . I am a member of the Imperial owners club - one of our German members bought a '52 Imperial with a body by Briggs - the same color as your Plymouth - he took it to his son who worked for Mercedes Benz in Stuttgart - the Germans were stunned by the excellence of the fit and finish and even took it out for a run on the Ring. Say what you will KT Keller built a fine automobile - Thank you Leonard for keeping this example of a wonderful vehicle for us all and thank you Jay for showing it to us .
I owned a 1950 DeSoto and the doors locked like safes. Sturdy hangers and relatively light doors. Mopars back in the days all were quite outdated and basic compared to the cars of say GM (like my 49 Buick) but they did have a robust feel and lots of room inside!
The tin worms were bad with Dodge and Plymouth after they bought Briggs. Trying to improve quality and save costs is one of the reasons Mopar went to unibody in 1960 on most of their cars. Briggs made building bodies with just in time shipping to the assembly plants look easier than it was.
They just don't make them like the used to. There's something so special about hopping into a classic car and going for a cruise. It's a visceral experience!
Dude you’re literally on EVERY SINGLE car video lol. What would happen if UA-cam suddenly banned all automotive content? What would a fella like you do? Lol. Keep on trucking buddy, keep on trucking!!
@@WakeBakeTV I will brotha haha. Haven't heard that phrase in a while. If youtube for some odd reason removed all automotive content the market wouldn't be the same, and I'd have to stick to only making gaming content (I do it on the side on another channel of mine). I love making automotive videos and being a part of the community, that's why you see me everywhere lol. Allows me to talk to ppl like you, where, if I didn't leave a comment here, wouldn't be able to do so
Nah...that's just everyday life. But really, you seem to meet a lot more people. Sometimes you just want to pop in the store and end up talking to somebody for thirty minutes. My most asked question is "what the hell is that?" And the next reply is usually "I didn't know they made them that old". To which I reply " No, they made them brand new, it's just old now". I bought a 1968 Corolla (first gen.) 30 years ago, it was pretty rough, I didn't have a lot of money (never have)and my Kawasaki just got stolen and I needed something to get to work. It had been sitting a year or two but when I put a battery in it fired right up. I paid $300 for it, rebuilt the brakes and figured I'd just drive it til I found something better. Another 750,000 miles later, I'm still looking... After completely surprising somebody from light-to-light in town (it's really quite peppy, 4:22 posi gears, 4 speed, maybe squeezing 75-80 hp)they'll ask what's in it..."Oh just a couple of squirrels and a cat to keep 'em busy". The car only weighs about 1500 lbs. It's got a "K" series engine. (Originally a 1.1 ltr, after a few years, I swapped in a "3K" 1.2 ltr.) Except for the dual carb version they run 9-1 compression. If you put a 1.1 liter head on the 1.2 liter block you get 10-1 without having to do anything else. If you put heavier springs in you can rev to 7500 rpm without floating the valves. Then you take a 4-1 header...cut the collector off...split it, weld in new collectors, make two 2-1 headers and you have true dual exhaust. The firing order is 1-3-4-2 so I had 1 and 4 together, 2 and 3 together. Each pipe got every other "burst" and I had two "normal" mufflers on it so it didn't "sound mean". A mini-sleeper. It would smoke first and second, squall third and chirp fourth on 13 in wheels. Topped out around 115 mph or so though. Originally it had drum brakes and 12 inch wheels but you can't get tires any more. I put the wheels and front disc brakes from a 72 Corolla on it. (And the high back seats). 185/60/13's are within .07% of the 12 inch bias ply diameter so the speedo is still pretty accurate and cornering is waaaaaay better. However, when I did the last build I put it back completely stock. My exhaust guys even kept a front to back, factory system around their shop for 20 years knowing I'd want it some day. I don't know how they came to have it but he said he found it back in their warehouse one day. Needs paint, I think it's magnetic. It has a real problem with other cars hitting it while it's parked. I repainted it once years ago, but it's been hit several more times since. They'll go out of their way to find it all by itself across a parking lot like somebody who manages to crash into the one tree in an otherwise barren desert. My brother just gave me a very nicely kept fully documented 94 Ranger, maybe I'll try painting the Rolla again this summer and drive it less. I need the proper grill too, it was missing when I got the car, they had cut a plastic one from a later model to fit. I found a closer to correct, metal one from a 1970 model. So far as I can tell, I seem to have the only 68 left in the US. They only sold 7200ish of them as the LHD US version came out late in 68. The 69-70 second gen is when they really started selling. Ever so slightly bigger. Wow, this got long...see what happens? Just like when I try to go to the store I end up talking to somebody about it.
I really enjoyed this video. Jay is a true car enthusiast and as down to earth as they come for celebrities. Thanks for sharing this experience with us!
Saw this and had to watch. I was born in 1950 and my parents bought a new’50 Plymouth 4dr sedan. It was that same light green color. I can smell that car in my mind when viewing old cars. Enjoyed the video and the memories it brought of out ‘50 Plymouth!
Perfect for a family of seven growing up in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. Dad had the company-owned Dodge coupes for his professional road-trips, but this ride got us to the campgrounds, fishing trips, picnics, etc. which built a treasure-trove of memories for this 'baby-boomer'.
After several iterations of loyal Chrysler purchases, my dad called me from Southern California to almost apologetically confess that he had bought a Lincoln Continental ;-). I told him "Dad, YOU PAID YOUR DUES. Enjoy".
Jay, you are telling our story. God luv 'ya. - This from a family raised by two WWII Navy veterans. We served in Vietnam, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Middle East, South and Central Asia, the 'American Arctic', the entire span of our Southern Border, and into the deepest and nearest reaches of Orbital Space. Your nod to Leonard Kolodziejski is really appreciated. TRULY!
An additional nod must be given to all the moms who could pack a picnic lunch which would feed seven people for 16 hours and still invite strangers to dig-in. (Five pound watermelon for a nickel, 18 ham sandwiches for a quarter, ten gallons of lemonade for a dime, etc.). Potato-salad? . . . fugedaboudit!
An event which lives vividly in my memory is a trip to Glacier National Park in 1958. A glittery-eyed granny who was a complete stranger to me (she must have been at least 40 years old) was hand-cranking an ice-cream churn. She took note of my fascination, and having gotten the concoction to a ready-to-serve state grinned and said "Come here sonny". The 'Gates of Heaven' opened wide, and I was in love!
I loved Jay’s tour of one of the first steel station wagons. The “Old Girl” seems to have impressive build quality in a beautiful shade of Celeste over Luxurious Tan Plastic. With nostalgic references to Craftsman Wrenches and JC Whitney, Jay casually goes through the owner’s manual, service manual, parts list, as well as the prior owner’s meticulous records during his usual tour. The late owner would certainly be pleased with the respect shown in this video; thank you to the family and Jay for bringing it to our homes!
Jay entertained us for so many years and I'm so glad he continues to do so. The car hobby is my hobby also. He just looks so happy enjoying his retirement. Thanks for sharing your hobby with us Jay.
My dad had a Traffic Eye on his his '53 Pontiac station wagon. They were a pain to install. You had to bring back a wire from the ignition switch that lit the green light. Another wire was connected to the brake light socket and had to be threaded into the car.for the red light. Every time you put on the brakes, the red light came on. The biggest pain was the vacuum line needed for the yellow light. You could tee off the vacuum line used for the wipers in those days . You connected the vacuum hose to a nipple behind the yellow light, and the yellow light was connected to the same line you used for the green light. When the vacuum dropped to less than five or so pounds, a pressure switch activated the electrical circuit that lit the yellow light and turned off the green light. When the pressure rose, it meant you weren't decelerating any longer so the yellow light went out and the green light came back on. I remember the box saying anyone could install it. Well, you could, you just needed a couple hours and a bunch of wire and vacuum hose.
Cool , never heard of that. But wouldn't the yellow light come on when vacuum *increased*, to say more than 20 indicating you've taken your foot off the gas? Low vacuum would indicate acceleration.
Sar Jim: Funny (unfortunate?) "feature" of this accessory is it may have caused a few rear end collisions due to a distracted driver wondering why the car ahead of them had a traffic light hanging inside the rear window and what did the yellow light really mean? I had a "Winky, the White Cat" from JC Whitney that had red light bulbs for the eyes and you were supposed to wire up the eyes to your brake and turn signals. The cat was to be placed in the back shelf (or tray as we called it) behind the rear seat so drivers following you could see it. Fortunately I never installed it. The introduction of the third brake light in 1985 was a good idea.....no need for green or amber lights...... I remember for years after 1985 JC Whitney offered all kinds of add-on third stop lights. Thanks for telling us about the Traffic Eye. The instruction sheet that Jay showed would be fun to read.
Of all the fancy, fast cars you feature on the show, this Plymouth is the quintessential vehicle. Thank you for featuring this pure, basic piece of transportation history!
I just inherited a 1931 Model A Tudor Sedan in mint condition as is this car. Jay does such a great job at putting to words the importance of keeping these old cars in their original condition.
2:47 The hum he mentions is a mechanical electromagnetic vibrator to convert direct current into alternate to elevate the voltage thru a transformer from 6 to about 150 volts needed to operate tubes. I like the fact that Mr. Leno enjoys most of the treasures he owns. Almost no garage-queens.
I don't usually cry watching UA-cam but the love and respect that Jay has for this car and it's previous owner is something that the world needs more of.
I absolutely love this show Mr. Leno. I feel like a kid hanging with his lovable uncle in the garage sharing stories of all things cars. Thanks for that the memories.
I new a guy who bought (new) a '49 Plymouth and drove it DAILY until the early 1990s.( when he passed) Those old MoPars wern't just bulletproof, they were bombproof!
That was a great story about great veteran. Thanks to you for jogging my memory. Although I was primarily a GM fan, I do recall a lot of Plymouths, Chrysler, and Dodges, growing up in the 1950's & 1960's. Due to my low vision, I had to stop driving in 2016. Now at 74 I only drive my farm tractor, on my small 20 acre farm, but I very much enjoy your videos. So, thank you again Jay.
That's a great story!! What type of tractor do you have? As a teenager, I spent summers with my Grandfather on his small farm in NC and he had two McCormick Farmall cubs. Being 13 years old plowing all day was the best fun a kid could have. (this was the early 90's), and I remember him telling me the Cubs were from the 1950's.
@@guytansbariva2295 in answer to your question, I have a John Deere 3020, which I bought used. I have had numerous other smaller tractors, but for my small 20 acre farm, the 3020 seems to work best. As you spoke about plowing, at 74, I still like doing that.
@@earllutz2663 That's great Earl, I hope it's very fulfilling for you. Since I was exposed to farming as a kid, I hope to get into it soon. My family owns some acreage, but it hasn't been farmed for many decades. I've been taking time off of work to start the process. There is a local farm/farm store/petting zoo (pigs, donkeys, lambs) near me and the owner is helping me get started. No one ever said farming is easy for sure, but these days it can be one of the most rewarding things to do.
A wonderful Christmas present for many. I was born in '54 and we had the same car in gray. Actually thought I was watching a story about my Dad! Right down to the manuals and notes! Vivid memories of cramming everyone into the back for trips, local and far. Also sat on his lap in that car! Eventually he let me put surf stickers on the back windows and my surfboard on top (60's). I have a hot rod now, would swap for that car in a heartbeat. Made me cry at the end. Thank you Jay Leno!
What a great post! My first car, and the one I learned to drive in, was a 1951 Dodge Meadowbrook sedan. Same color as yours, fluid drive. I think my Dad gave me the thing in about 1957 when he replaced it with a Plymouth station wagon to drive across the country. My brother taught me how to chirp the tires with the fluid drive...of course, only in first from a dead stop. I failed my drivers test because, when I had to make a left turn, I put my left arm out the window like I was supposed to do, but then reached through the steering wheel to put on the turn signal (yep, J.C. Whitney). The driving test guy actually yelped when I took both my hands off the wheel! It was the un-coolest car for a teenager, but as you point out, it always started right up and was really bulletproof. Other than the turn signals, my did also put in front lap belts. He was an engineer.
Decades ago our family moved from Michigan to Phoenix Arizona. That was in 1959. In 63 my dad bought a 2nd car for my mom to drive. I remember it perfectly. It was a 1948 Plymouth sedan. A light tan color with a darker brown interior. It didn't have AC or any fancy stuff but it was a good solid car. I was 12 at the time and was hoping my parents would still have it 4 years later so I could have it as my first car. Didn't happen though. It wouldn't surprise me one bit to find out that that car is still somewhere in the Phoenix area and still running. It never broke down.
This episode exemplifies all of the things that keep me coming back to the series and make me a fan of not only the series but of Jay Leno himself. Mr Leno transforms this episode into a tribute to the original owner of the car in an incredibly respectful and admirable fashion. This is done in a way that speaks to not only the character of the war hero who originally owned the car, but to that of Mr Leno himself. Frankly, I don't know who bothers to read most of the tripe that's posted in UA-cam comments. Regardless, this series represents much of what I honestly believe is the best of what my country offers culturally. That being plainly spoken honesty, respect for what's due, and honor for what's been given. Though sadly, recently, this seems to be in little evidence in much of the public media. The truth is that there are still those decent, respectful, and gracious in my country and I see every evidence that Mr Leno is one of them. Personally, every time I see him express gratitude to someone else gives me hope. Mr Leno, If you ever read this the cars are cool, but it's your humanity and your decency that makes this stuff so compelling. I've just spent the last 15-20 minutes using this episode as an object lesson in giving proper credit and humility to my 11 year old. For this I am grateful. Thank you for being an example in an era where this is so often lacking. :)
It feels as if we've come full circle here at JLG. This is the type of video Jay did originally when he started making them back when - just Jay and one of his own cars. Very down to earth and very respectful of the story behind the car. Thank you for these, Jay, and thank you for honoring the man who was the steward of the car before you.
Jay, I rarely comment but I feel that I need to adress this occasion. You've really done some good videos lately. I appreciate them a lot! The Saab 93, Ferrari 308, Duesenberg and now this. It's just amazing. Love the slow tempo, your anecdotes, care of details. Etc. The new cars are not as interesting. Keep the videos like this. Because when you do, even a Saab guy like myself can find interest in a Plymouth, it's just the way you present it! Merry Christmas
Anton Björklund pretty closed minded. You should open your mind to new things. You don’t have to hate everything new to you. Give it a chance you might live longer
Reverse light = Hella VW Beetle accessory 👍 Jay , that was that was the saddest car story. You really eulogized Leonard's love for his car. You touched on the basic love for the hobby. As a 5 year old I stood in front of my uncle Eddy driving his 1951 John Deere A. Today I have a JD A just like it and drive it nearly every day. Tears well up remembering my uncle. I'm 70 now. God bless Leonard 💔✌️
I guess I'm old, I love watching Jay with vehicles like this. His love and value for the car is matched with his value for the past owner. Thank you for taking me back to some good memories... in both our lives.
My favorite JLG video. Jay, It’s so clear your love for cars is connected to your love for your father, family, and community in which you were raised.
When I was a little stinker my grandparents had one of these. I remember Mom & I visiting at their hardware store. When they closed up it was dark. I got to ride in the back seat. But I remember leaning over the front seat and looking at the odometer, which was lighted. I asked what the numbers were. Gramps said they were the miles. But I could see the digit on the end was different. So I asked about that. He said it was the tenths. That was a new word to me. I thought he said, TENTS. And I believed that for years. When I started working I worked for a real grump named Dave. He had one of these. Dave was a brick layer. He hauled bags of cement in that car. Even bricks. He really put that car through its' paces. And it held up just fine. In my family, Dad came on the scene in 1956. He would go to the parts house and buy seat belts. Then he or our mechanic would install them. I still appreciate that Dad understood the extra measure of safety that this new thing, the seat belt could give his family. I don't need a law about seat belts. When I get in a car or truck, I buckle up because I WANT TO! (By the way, it's the same with motorcycle helmets. I wear one because I want the protection. Not because a law says I must wear it. That's just wisdom.) Anyway, good video, Jay. I enjoyed the trip back in time. And the review of all the old virtues in this car. By the way, I have always raken it that the ship emblems on a Plymouth were the Mayflower. Because that's the ship that landed at Plymouth Rock. What do you think of that notion?
Everybody knew back then that the Plymouth related to the Mayflower, as you stated. Some people even named their Plymouth "Priscilla," from the stories that came out of the Massachusetts colony.
When I watch these episodes I literally forget that Jay Leno was the host of the Tonight Show. His love for cars has to be so great to make some of us forget that he was host of the Tonight show. If my hypothetical grandson ever asks me "Who was Jay Leno?" I'll tell him he was a man that loved cars.
@@SailorAllan ,....We can't forget that without TTS Jay wouldn't have had the money to have his "Garage" for us to enjoy these wonderful vids. In his own words. He's got so many cars because he's president of "The more money than brains club". I say thank God for that!
I get it. I love your show. I can't hardly wait for the new episodes every Sunday night or Monday. Really Jay I'm so glad you do this. I love your cars. You have such a great collection. I really like the original stuff. Again thank you.
Brings back very early memories of my father having one of these from 1950 to 55 or 56 for a family of 7. Same car, same color! Basic, utilitarian transportation!
LOVE episodes like this! Thank you! Nowhere else are you gonna find an episode on a 50 Plymouth:) Sooooooo tired of super cars and brand new cookie cutters. Again thank you Mr Leno👍🇨🇦
Jay Leno is such a respectful person. His comments are heartfelt & he is able to relate the experience he is sharing to his own life & to ours. He spent a decent amount of time lauding the dedication of an ordinary Joe, who in his own right was everything but that. Thank you Leonard Kolodziejski.
A nice salute to Leonard. My wife's grandfather is a big Studebaker guy and he's getting up there where he's starting to doubt how much longer he will be able work on his projects he loves so much. He had me out in his shop yesterday on xmas and said that everything in there was free to anyone who would care for and appreciate his stuff. I told him I knew of such a guy. He was more than happy when I told him he was actually a member of the family. He smiled and we went and looked at old issues of Hotrod magazines from the 50's. We're heading up next week to cheer him up and swap stories again.
Jay, thank you for this particular video! My family never had a car like this. I was born in 1950. My Dad was driving a 1946 Ford convertible. This is a beauty! It reminds me of "The Good Old Days". When gas was always in the middle of "gas wars". In St. Louis, Mo., you could buy gas for 5 cents a gallon.I relate this car to tube based radios and record players and jukeboxes, and guitar amps! I love vintage tube guitar amps. Like this car, they were what was to come. This car has come full circle. It had no trunk and the back seat folded down, just like today! It was the 1st. Station Wagon. So called to use to go to the Railroad Station and gather people and their luggage! Happy Holidaze! Thanxz
Jay thank you for this moving tribute to my friend Len and his Suburban. We shared the hobby of collecting auto sales literature. He really would have appreciated your kind words.
Great car! In 1962 my Dad had a "well used" one that he used to haul excavated dirt from home to Cleveland Burke Lakefront landfill that is now an airport!
My dad used to go on and on about old car facts. He died six years ago. Now I listen to Jay Leno go on and on about old car facts. This was the best episode I've seen so far. It's awesome when Jay just forgets about time and talks to the camera like it's a person. I haven't seen anything in a long time that translates this well, like I'm actually there.
Love it when you present these well preserved old cars Jay! And I love that you donated to veterans in Leonard's name - true class! Just a thought, you don't win a bronze star, you earn it. My dad earned 2 in Vietnam. Peace brother.
I get it! Learned to drive in my dad's 1949 Plymouth 4-door sedan. Same engine and 3-speed transmission. She's a beauty. Thank you Leonard for MY FREEDOM! Thank you Mr. Leno for saving his beloved for future generations to enjoy.
Thanks Jay, brings back loads of memories, I'm a 50 model myself. Our family car was a 53 Plymouth Suburban well into the 60's, ours had overdrive. I love to hear a Mopar flathead six they do have their own sound. My first car was a 1948 Dodge Sedan with fluid drive, I still have it...sounds just like your Plymouth...Thanks again...
Learned to drive my dad's j3000 keep truck sitting on his lap. 3 on the tree, no ps, no pb. It was a beast. A memory that has lasted my entire life. When sold the gladiator, it had over 250k miles on it. Thanks Jay!
Watching Jay's vids is the next best thing to having your own antique car collection, only without all the work to keep it up. Jay shows you all around each car, under the hood, the trunk, everything.
![[Misc] Jay Leno's 99-Cent Store (9/6/2006)](/img/n.gif)
Thank you Jay for the wonderful video about the 50 Plymouth Suburban and tribute to my father, Leonard Kolodziejski. More than anything he was proud of his family, his car and his service to his country. He was always a big fan of your show and never missed an episode, we spent many evenings when we were caring for him at home, watching it together. I know he would be so happy to know that his car will be well taken care of and available for others to enjoy. Thank you for taking the time to go through the details of the car and my dad’s meticulous records, it brought back great memories.
Also, thank you for your on-going support of our veterans and your kindness. One example of your kindness was your call to my sister on Christmas eve morning to see if we liked the video. We did, it was a wonderful tribute to both the car and my father. And thanks to everyone who left such positive and heartwarming comments, this was the best Christmas present ever.
Susan Kole (formerly Susan Kolodziejski)
Great car and great Video! Your Dad did a wonderful job.
I'll never forget how thankful this episode made me feel this Christmas Eve. Thank you for sharing your dads story with us. And thank you Jay for how you honored his memory!
Merry Christmas Susan! What A great tribute to your Dad & his Car, A great Christmas Eve Story for all to share, as A Army Vet I Salute Sergeant Leonard Kolodziejski!
Merry Christmas Susan. What A great tribute to your Dad & his Car. Many blessings to your family and may your father R.I.P.
God Bless your family.
Jay Leno: one of the few Hollywood people that's genuine anymore, the kind of guy I'd truly enjoy just spending the day with; just talking about cars and hangin' out. Thanks Jay, for such a great show, and just being real.
@hhhk20 I work in Hollywood. They are all Sociopaths...
@hhhk20 Your position = Can't just let some stranger on the internet have their own opinion, based on their own experiences. Happy Holidays, pal.
Jay Leno is "genuine"?
Tell that to Howard Stern and Conan O'Brien
hhhk20 I’m betting .you’re single.
Jays causing these cars to go up in value so none of us will ever be able to afford one.
Unbelievable how lucky were are to have this channel, I absolutely love the walk through history! Thank You Jay!
I couldn't agree more. The back story of Leonard and the way he took care of this car after serving his country in the military is special. I appreciate Jay and what he does for auto enthusiasts, all cars are special in their own way and for that I will always be a fan of his. Thank you Mr. Leno, Merry Christmas.
I'm not even that much of a car enthusiast. I'm not an American, so I've never really seen many of these great cars - but I love the story behind them. And I love how Leno tells that story. Great stuff.
Agreed. The best part of this being on UA-cam is the freedom to put out a video without worrying about fitting it into any time slot. Just take the time to show and talk about the car. Love it. I watch it every week as soon as I see that notification.
Lifes a trip homes
@@survivingsilverbay4734 It's not about the destination, it's the journey and who is with you. Well said brother.
"I'm really glad that people just save regular cars like this."
I don't think I could have put it better. I currently have a 2008 Toyota Sienna, and she's my pride and joy. My first car, inherited her from my mom when I was 16, and I never want to get rid of her. She's done everything I've asked of her, and I've done everything she's asked of me. Because of you I want to keep this minivan running for as long as I live. I now have a service log that I keep in the door and record everything I've done, what date, and what mileage. I just hope that someday there's someone like you that I can pass her on to that will care for her as I do. Thank you Jay, and thank you Mr./Sgt. Kolodziejski for your service and for preserving this wonderful car.
This episode somehow brought some peace. The way Jay is reminiscning and many of us really knowing how he feels remembering the good ol days. You can hear it in his voice.
Thats because Jay is a Trump man.
@@1voiceofstl Uhmm what does that have to do with what I said? Are the kind of person that drinks coffee in the morning and says "AHHHHH Trump coffee I love it".
You're right, but I think just about anyone (excluding minorities, I guess) that lived through those times would have liked it enough to get all nostalgic like Jay is getting, because the idea of being able to feed 4 people for $1 is just amazing. That is actually a good example of how CEOs have ripped employees and customers off over the years, prices have gone up 20x since then for the same burger from McDonalds, but have wages kept pace to match? No. The fact that minimum wage still hasn't been set to permanently reflect the fluctuation of inflation is downright disrespectful.
He is not he even said quote "Well I am not a fan," in a interview you can miss the simpler days and not be racist the difference is as long as you knew the flaws of back then and last one may have eve had a childhood back then so of course they would look back fondly.@@1voiceofstl
@@1voiceofstlHe actually hates him he is just remembering his childhood which we are all allowed to do.
Thanks Leonard . You did a fabulous job maintaining this beauty.. R I.P your car is in good hands.
Leonaed Rested in peace by putting this car together so noo need to worry about that.
Agreed
You know, I’m really thankful for Jay and the fact that he shares his collection and knowledge with us, but I’d also like to give a shout out to the guys behind the camera catching the really great sound the doors make as they close, and the guy that edits the videos that makes it onto UA-cam.
Agreed!
I'm a picture car driver/mechanic for the film industry. I meet these kind of guys on every show and they are awesome. It is a pleasure to work with such talented people.
Or girl or woman etc. that edits the videos, maybe drives the vehicles :)
Yes congratulations to the crew behind the camera Merry Christmas to them and all including fans of this channel Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Couldn't have said it at better!!
*That's the kind of car that requires "an old soul" to collect and keep - not the most superlative at anything, really. It's really just a Time Capsule of a special time in America that deserves to be loved and cherished.*
How do you have bold font?
@@jaredmehrlich6683 put an * in the space before and the space after what you want bolded. Doesn't always work. Seems pretty reliable for first sentence. seems pretty unreliable for two or three times in one post. Really flaky if doing words in the middle of sentences, repeatedly. Now you try.
*baba Booey*
@@helvehammer7846 *thank you*
@@jaredmehrlich6683 *D*e *N*a*d*a.
I loved my first car, 1970 Ford Maverick, it was a great car. No power steering, no power breaks, no air conditioning, crank windows. It was simple, even though I'm not very mechanical, I even did some of the repairs myself. No junk on it, like the crap the put on the cars now, which break down too easily. My neighbour's friend, could not drive his car for a number of months, because it needed a computer chip and he was stuck waiting for it. I drove my little car all over, even on long trips, it was great. It rusted out after a number of years, so I traded it it years later, but I still remember that tough little car. Have a picture of me with it, my first car, will never forget that great little car and the places it took me.
They say that you die twice. Once when you physically die.
The second time when your name is said for the last time.
Thanks to Leonard, his daughters and Jay for ensuring Leonard lives on much longer.
We owe each of you a debt of gratitude. The love and pride not just for the car but also for the hobby of older cars and for Leonard as a soldier, contributor and father.
Thank you.
I never heard that saying before but it's very true.
I have a friend of mine who's 75. I remember him saying the same thing a couple months ago.
Don't die twice. 2nd death is forever.
Jeff King :)
@@isaacsrandomvideos667 🙂
Don't get me wrong, I like the other videos featuring the super cars and having the odd celebrity and non-celebrity guests, but there's something refreshing about just Jay going over a car he loves, regardless of any prestige or reputation that vehicle has. One of the best channels on UA-cam. And if I could request a topic for a video, I would love one where Jay just takes on a tour through his entire garage so we can see just how big it is.
I had exactly the same thing in mind. A brief shop tour featuring almost all his car, bike, trucks etc etc collection
@Accretion Disk That's the thing though. I wouldnt want a detailed summary of each car, just show the room and maybe point out a few favourites or special cars, maybe ones he hasn't featured on the show.
I don't know if Jay or his staff monitors these comments, but for those of us who live in So. Cal., and for those who visit here, wouldn't it be great if Jay once or twice a year had an "all day" tour through his facility?!?! I know I'd _really_ enjoy that, and would _gladly_ pay for it. I've paid for the "hard hat" tour of Hoover Dam; I'd certainly pay to say Jay's facility.
@@josephgaviota While I hope Jay is around for many, many more years to come, I hope he has already set up a trust to maintain his "garage" well after he is gone and hopefully open it to the public a la Graceland but for gear heads.
@@davidslinn5920 I'm in 100% agreement with that!! And, I've _been_ to Graceland!
I love that you honor and show so much respect for the previous owners. I enjoy the back stories as much as learning about your cars, Jay.
Me too !
100% agree w/ @m2k4380
I agree 100% keeping this car original. How many more 350s do we need to see jammed into a classic car? Thank you for saving and preserving these cars.
This man is amazing... He has a true appreciation for originality. And loyalty to the original owners who entrust him. Love it.
Love the video and the tribute to Leonard. Many thanks.
I was born in 1946. My dad liked the Plymouths, several friends and family praised them as cheap to buy, to drive, to maintain. So he started buying them. We had several over the years. I remember a 49 or 50 that was maroon but the fenders faded and the black primer paint was showing. There were some cold Wisconsin winters when that old Plymouth started right up but newer cars wouldn't. He moved us to Texas in 1955 to get a great paying job at an aircraft plant. He was able to clear security requirements because he had been in WWII. We only stayed two years, dad missed his family. We drove all the way to WI pulling a big trailer full of furniture with that little six cylinder. No interstate back then, there were some steep hills where the car would be in second gear all the way to the top. She never over heated! He owned Plymouths till he passed away. I owned a few in my lifetime and had good service from them. I'm currently driving Jeeps, no reflection on the Plymouths, they just don't make an all wheel drive.
Better, safer, days back then. Not sure what changed.
love how Jay kept Leonard's memory of His vehicle intact..and once again Jay supports a charity without any fanfare..class act always...
Agreed!
i dont care if its a p1 or a plymouth, i just love it when he does one of his own vehicles
Jay, I just bought a 49 Dodge Custom 4 door sedan, all original, and I hold you completely responsible, videos like these over the years made me love the post war american cars, they are truly amazing and I thank you :)
I had a 49 Dodge back in the early 60's. It was like a tank you could not kill it.
49 Dodge here -- late 60's :-)
Graham Johnston
-- Awesome!! I hope you have many years of fun with it.
What's neat ( I think ) is that 1 of the PR sales brochures for the 49 Dodge Deluxe showed an exploded view of a fully disassembled car on the floor, stating how simple it was to build and maintain. All you really needed was a simple set of hand tools!! Those were the days..
@chris richard so very true! The car is so basic and made to be worked on and maintained not replaced, such a different mindset than todays cars, and the fluid drive, what an amazing thing! makes driving the car a pure pleasure in traffic, cheers :)
I love the slow pace of this video. It matches the Plymoth's preferred speed.
Absolutely
Jay so glad this americana piece of auto history is now residing at your auto museum where it will be appreciated for what it really was and still is ! I will be 78 yrs of age and my father had three vintage Plymouths two 49 s' and a 53, , Cranbrook, I was a kid and we drove those cars from Illinois to South Dakota on many trips to see relatives...These cars were always dependable and never gave my dad any trouble....very dependable...so glad you appreciate these and said we are only caretakers as these and thee will be enjoyed by others in the future...God Bless Dana...
Thank you, thank you very much! Sick and tired of all the resto-mod/modern hyper car/rest of boring cars. I really enjoy the original unrestored "good old girl" cars from Mr. Leno.
I totally agree with you
Same
RL R
Well to me it depends on the car. Muscle cars make great Restomods , pickup trucks look great with Patina but an old wagon is most charming when it’s all original
Yes. They are original only once. They have character. They should be cherished and preserved as they were designed. Want a fast car? There are plenty of them at any dealership. Go buy one and have fun.
Resto-mods spit in the eye of history.
The body for your Plymouth was built by Briggs before Chrysler bought Briggs in '54 - Briggs was the best . I am a member of the Imperial owners club - one of our German members bought a '52 Imperial with a body by Briggs - the same color as your Plymouth - he took it to his son who worked for Mercedes Benz in Stuttgart - the Germans were stunned by the excellence of the fit and finish and even took it out for a run on the Ring. Say what you will KT Keller built a fine automobile - Thank you Leonard for keeping this example of a wonderful vehicle for us all and thank you Jay for showing it to us .
Well the Chysler 300 has a Mercedes chassis. But overall fit and finish won't come close the qualify of these older cars.
I owned a 1950 DeSoto and the doors locked like safes. Sturdy hangers and relatively light doors. Mopars back in the days all were quite outdated and basic compared to the cars of say GM (like my 49 Buick) but they did have a robust feel and lots of room inside!
The tin worms were bad with Dodge and Plymouth after they bought Briggs. Trying to improve quality and save costs is one of the reasons Mopar went to unibody in 1960 on most of their cars. Briggs made building bodies with just in time shipping to the assembly plants look easier than it was.
They just don't make them like the used to. There's something so special about hopping into a classic car and going for a cruise. It's a visceral experience!
There is a reason for that.
Dude you’re literally on EVERY SINGLE car video lol. What would happen if UA-cam suddenly banned all automotive content? What would a fella like you do? Lol. Keep on trucking buddy, keep on trucking!!
@@philipcooper8297 yup.
@@WakeBakeTV I will brotha haha. Haven't heard that phrase in a while. If youtube for some odd reason removed all automotive content the market wouldn't be the same, and I'd have to stick to only making gaming content (I do it on the side on another channel of mine). I love making automotive videos and being a part of the community, that's why you see me everywhere lol. Allows me to talk to ppl like you, where, if I didn't leave a comment here, wouldn't be able to do so
Nah...that's just everyday life. But really, you seem to meet a lot more people. Sometimes you just want to pop in the store and end up talking to somebody for thirty minutes. My most asked question is "what the hell is that?" And the next reply is usually "I didn't know they made them that old". To which I reply " No, they made them brand new, it's just old now".
I bought a 1968 Corolla (first gen.) 30 years ago, it was pretty rough, I didn't have a lot of money (never have)and my Kawasaki just got stolen and I needed something to get to work. It had been sitting a year or two but when I put a battery in it fired right up. I paid $300 for it, rebuilt the brakes and figured I'd just drive it til I found something better.
Another 750,000 miles later, I'm still looking...
After completely surprising somebody from light-to-light in town (it's really quite peppy, 4:22 posi gears, 4 speed, maybe squeezing 75-80 hp)they'll ask what's in it..."Oh just a couple of squirrels and a cat to keep 'em busy".
The car only weighs about 1500 lbs. It's got a "K" series engine. (Originally a 1.1 ltr, after a few years, I swapped in a "3K" 1.2 ltr.) Except for the dual carb version they run 9-1 compression. If you put a 1.1 liter head on the 1.2 liter block you get 10-1 without having to do anything else. If you put heavier springs in you can rev to 7500 rpm without floating the valves.
Then you take a 4-1 header...cut the collector off...split it, weld in new collectors, make two 2-1 headers and you have true dual exhaust. The firing order is 1-3-4-2 so I had 1 and 4 together, 2 and 3 together. Each pipe got every other "burst" and I had two "normal" mufflers on it so it didn't "sound mean". A mini-sleeper.
It would smoke first and second, squall third and chirp fourth on 13 in wheels. Topped out around 115 mph or so though. Originally it had drum brakes and 12 inch wheels but you can't get tires any more. I put the wheels and front disc brakes from a 72 Corolla on it. (And the high back seats). 185/60/13's are within .07% of the 12 inch bias ply diameter so the speedo is still pretty accurate and cornering is waaaaaay better.
However, when I did the last build I put it back completely stock. My exhaust guys even kept a front to back, factory system around their shop for 20 years knowing I'd want it some day. I don't know how they came to have it but he said he found it back in their warehouse one day.
Needs paint, I think it's magnetic. It has a real problem with other cars hitting it while it's parked. I repainted it once years ago, but it's been hit several more times since. They'll go out of their way to find it all by itself across a parking lot like somebody who manages to crash into the one tree in an otherwise barren desert.
My brother just gave me a very nicely kept fully documented 94 Ranger, maybe I'll try painting the Rolla again this summer and drive it less.
I need the proper grill too, it was missing when I got the car, they had cut a plastic one from a later model to fit. I found a closer to correct, metal one from a 1970 model.
So far as I can tell, I seem to have the only 68 left in the US. They only sold 7200ish of them as the LHD US version came out late in 68. The 69-70 second gen is when they really started selling. Ever so slightly bigger.
Wow, this got long...see what happens? Just like when I try to go to the store I end up talking to somebody about it.
I really enjoyed this video. Jay is a true car enthusiast and as down to earth as they come for celebrities. Thanks for sharing this experience with us!
Saw this and had to watch. I was born in 1950 and my parents bought a new’50 Plymouth 4dr sedan. It was that same light green color. I can smell that car in my mind when viewing old cars. Enjoyed the video and the memories it brought of out ‘50 Plymouth!
I loved this episode...Jay gets it. Thank you Jay and thank you Sgt Leonard Kolodziedski for your service.
In an alternate universe somewhere far, far away there is a pair of jeans and a denim shirt with a closet full of Jay Lenos.
'Garage's Jay Lenos' :p
Jay Leno's in The CLOSET ????
Dude you must be high. ha
What if Jay Leno only has one pair of Jeans and one Denim Shirt?
This dude!! Jay is just a pair of jeans and a denim shirt the shirt is wearing him 😂😂
Jay, loved this. I’m 79 y/o, and remember my Dads 46 Chrysler. Got a lump in my throat watching this. Memories
This is why I like Jay, a nice and down to earth review, filled with respwct for the now sadly departed former keeper.
Perfect for a family of seven growing up in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. Dad had the company-owned Dodge coupes for his professional road-trips, but this ride got us to the campgrounds, fishing trips, picnics, etc. which built a treasure-trove of memories for this 'baby-boomer'.
After several iterations of loyal Chrysler purchases, my dad called me from Southern California to almost apologetically confess that he had bought a Lincoln Continental ;-). I told him "Dad, YOU PAID YOUR DUES. Enjoy".
Jay, you are telling our story. God luv 'ya. - This from a family raised by two WWII Navy veterans. We served in Vietnam, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Middle East, South and Central Asia, the 'American Arctic', the entire span of our Southern Border, and into the deepest and nearest reaches of Orbital Space.
Your nod to Leonard Kolodziejski is really appreciated. TRULY!
An additional nod must be given to all the moms who could pack a picnic lunch which would feed seven people for 16 hours and still invite strangers to dig-in. (Five pound watermelon for a nickel, 18 ham sandwiches for a quarter, ten gallons of lemonade for a dime, etc.). Potato-salad? . . . fugedaboudit!
An event which lives vividly in my memory is a trip to Glacier National Park in 1958. A glittery-eyed granny who was a complete stranger to me (she must have been at least 40 years old) was hand-cranking an ice-cream churn. She took note of my fascination, and having gotten the concoction to a ready-to-serve state grinned and said "Come here sonny". The 'Gates of Heaven' opened wide, and I was in love!
PS; When Dad was on the road, this ride gave mom no problems.
Merry Christmas to all. Thank you Jay for all of the videos.
Great photo of Leonard and the car. He was a proud owner.
I loved Jay’s tour of one of the first steel station wagons. The “Old Girl” seems to have impressive build quality in a beautiful shade of Celeste over Luxurious Tan Plastic. With nostalgic references to Craftsman Wrenches and JC Whitney, Jay casually goes through the owner’s manual, service manual, parts list, as well as the prior owner’s meticulous records during his usual tour. The late owner would certainly be pleased with the respect shown in this video; thank you to the family and Jay for bringing it to our homes!
Thanks Jay; class act, wonderful teacher and humble person.
Jay entertained us for so many years and I'm so glad he continues to do so. The car hobby is my hobby also. He just looks so happy enjoying his retirement. Thanks for sharing your hobby with us Jay.
My dad had a Traffic Eye on his his '53 Pontiac station wagon. They were a pain to install. You had to bring back a wire from the ignition switch that lit the green light. Another wire was connected to the brake light socket and had to be threaded into the car.for the red light. Every time you put on the brakes, the red light came on. The biggest pain was the vacuum line needed for the yellow light. You could tee off the vacuum line used for the wipers in those days . You connected the vacuum hose to a nipple behind the yellow light, and the yellow light was connected to the same line you used for the green light. When the vacuum dropped to less than five or so pounds, a pressure switch activated the electrical circuit that lit the yellow light and turned off the green light. When the pressure rose, it meant you weren't decelerating any longer so the yellow light went out and the green light came back on. I remember the box saying anyone could install it. Well, you could, you just needed a couple hours and a bunch of wire and vacuum hose.
Cool , never heard of that. But wouldn't the yellow light come on when vacuum *increased*, to say more than 20 indicating you've taken your foot off the gas? Low vacuum would indicate acceleration.
@@R0yL33 Yes, you're right. I had it backwards. That's what I get for posting comments late at night when my brain is mush. :-)
Sar Jim: Funny (unfortunate?) "feature" of this accessory is it may have caused a few rear end collisions due to a distracted driver wondering why the car ahead of them had a traffic light hanging inside the rear window and what did the yellow light really mean? I had a "Winky, the White Cat" from JC Whitney that had red light bulbs for the eyes and you were supposed to wire up the eyes to your brake and turn signals. The cat was to be placed in the back shelf (or tray as we called it) behind the rear seat so drivers following you could see it. Fortunately I never installed it. The introduction of the third brake light in 1985 was a good idea.....no need for green or amber lights...... I remember for years after 1985 JC Whitney offered all kinds of add-on third stop lights. Thanks for telling us about the Traffic Eye. The instruction sheet that Jay showed would be fun to read.
@Tommy Salami Thanks.
I love the old everyday people type of car. Exotics and hot rods are amazing but I love the charm of these types
I'm with you, Kevin :-)
Of all the fancy, fast cars you feature on the show, this Plymouth is the quintessential vehicle. Thank you for featuring this pure, basic piece of transportation history!
I just inherited a 1931 Model A Tudor Sedan in mint condition as is this car. Jay does such a great job at putting to words the importance of keeping these old cars in their original condition.
2:47 The hum he mentions is a mechanical electromagnetic vibrator to convert direct current into alternate to elevate the voltage thru a transformer from 6 to about 150 volts needed to operate tubes.
I like the fact that Mr. Leno enjoys most of the treasures he owns. Almost no garage-queens.
I do enjoy the ones that feature Mr Leno's own vehicles. 1st steel 2door 'wagon, very cool. 👌👍👏
Dude that's sick. Love the paint color.
Happy holidays people.
More denim less hate
Nate Soroko Screw “happy holidays.” MERRY CHRISTMAS!
That'd be a great catch phrase for anything Jay Leno does. More denim, less hate.
@@joeblow1942 merry Christmas to you too!! Cheers
More denim less hate. Instant classic!
not far from the old army green when i first saw it, then of course it tunred out to be former military owner.
Thanks Jay for keeping this wonderful automobile in your collection. My Dad had 2 of them a 1949 and a 1950. I liked the ripple bumpers on the 1949.
I don't usually cry watching UA-cam but the love and respect that Jay has for this car and it's previous owner is something that the world needs more of.
I absolutely love this show Mr. Leno. I feel like a kid hanging with his lovable uncle in the garage sharing stories of all things cars. Thanks for that the memories.
Enjoyed every moment, Jay. I felt like I was in the car with you as you looked through the glove box. Thank you Sergeant Leonard
I agree. Thank you Sergeant Leonard. You are a true American Hero.
13:15 , the 1950 version of texting and driving.
@@bobroberts2371 13:40 the original paddle shift
agreed
Reading and driving is WAY safer than texting.and driving.
Those early 50's Plymouths were so reliable. My dad had a '53 that ran for years.
I remember my dad had the same 2dr wagon in dark green around 1960.
I own a 1953 Cranbrook club coupe. She starts every time.
I new a guy who bought (new) a '49 Plymouth and drove it DAILY until the early 1990s.( when he passed) Those old MoPars wern't just bulletproof, they were bombproof!
Hands down my favorite so far. Much respect to Jay for his "attitude of gratitude" toward Sargent K.&his family.
That was a great story about great veteran. Thanks to you for jogging my memory. Although I was primarily a GM fan, I do recall a lot of Plymouths, Chrysler, and Dodges, growing up in the 1950's & 1960's. Due to my low vision, I had to stop driving in 2016. Now at 74 I only drive my farm tractor, on my small 20 acre farm, but I very much enjoy your videos. So, thank you again Jay.
That's a great story!! What type of tractor do you have? As a teenager, I spent summers with my Grandfather on his small farm in NC and he had two McCormick Farmall cubs. Being 13 years old plowing all day was the best fun a kid could have. (this was the early 90's), and I remember him telling me the Cubs were from the 1950's.
@@guytansbariva2295 in answer to your question, I have a John Deere 3020, which I bought used. I have had numerous other smaller tractors, but for my small 20 acre farm, the 3020 seems to work best. As you spoke about plowing, at 74, I still like doing that.
@@earllutz2663 That's great Earl, I hope it's very fulfilling for you. Since I was exposed to farming as a kid, I hope to get into it soon. My family owns some acreage, but it hasn't been farmed for many decades. I've been taking time off of work to start the process.
There is a local farm/farm store/petting zoo (pigs, donkeys, lambs) near me and the owner is helping me get started. No one ever said farming is easy for sure, but these days it can be one of the most rewarding things to do.
A wonderful Christmas present for many. I was born in '54 and we had the same car in gray. Actually thought I was watching a story about my Dad! Right down to the manuals and notes! Vivid memories of cramming everyone into the back for trips, local and far. Also sat on his lap in that car! Eventually he let me put surf stickers on the back windows and my surfboard on top (60's). I have a hot rod now, would swap for that car in a heartbeat. Made me cry at the end. Thank you Jay Leno!
Who would thumb down this? Can't get much purer than this.
Maybe some korean whose father got killed in korea by a hero.
True
Conan fans who can't get over it...
What a great post! My first car, and the one I learned to drive in, was a 1951 Dodge Meadowbrook sedan. Same color as yours, fluid drive. I think my Dad gave me the thing in about 1957 when he replaced it with a Plymouth station wagon to drive across the country. My brother taught me how to chirp the tires with the fluid drive...of course, only in first from a dead stop. I failed my drivers test because, when I had to make a left turn, I put my left arm out the window like I was supposed to do, but then reached through the steering wheel to put on the turn signal (yep, J.C. Whitney). The driving test guy actually yelped when I took both my hands off the wheel! It was the un-coolest car for a teenager, but as you point out, it always started right up and was really bulletproof. Other than the turn signals, my did also put in front lap belts. He was an engineer.
“That’s a man’s horn, son” .. damn.
Mohamed He gots that Right. ☝️
Loved that part
😂
Really cool
Yes, yes it is.
Decades ago our family moved from Michigan to Phoenix Arizona. That was in 1959. In 63 my dad bought a 2nd car for my mom to drive. I remember it perfectly. It was a 1948 Plymouth sedan. A light tan color with a darker brown interior.
It didn't have AC or any fancy stuff but it was a good solid car. I was 12 at the time and was hoping my parents would still have it 4 years later so I could have it as my first car. Didn't happen though.
It wouldn't surprise me one bit to find out that that car is still somewhere in the Phoenix area and still running. It never broke down.
This episode exemplifies all of the things that keep me coming back to the series and make me a fan of not only the series but of Jay Leno himself.
Mr Leno transforms this episode into a tribute to the original owner of the car in an incredibly respectful and admirable fashion. This is done in a way that speaks to not only the character of the war hero who originally owned the car, but to that of Mr Leno himself.
Frankly, I don't know who bothers to read most of the tripe that's posted in UA-cam comments. Regardless, this series represents much of what I honestly believe is the best of what my country offers culturally. That being plainly spoken honesty, respect for what's due, and honor for what's been given. Though sadly, recently, this seems to be in little evidence in much of the public media.
The truth is that there are still those decent, respectful, and gracious in my country and I see every evidence that Mr Leno is one of them. Personally, every time I see him express gratitude to someone else gives me hope.
Mr Leno, If you ever read this the cars are cool, but it's your humanity and your decency that makes this stuff so compelling. I've just spent the last 15-20 minutes using this episode as an object lesson in giving proper credit and humility to my 11 year old. For this I am grateful. Thank you for being an example in an era where this is so often lacking. :)
It feels as if we've come full circle here at JLG.
This is the type of video Jay did originally when he started making them back when - just Jay and one of his own cars. Very down to earth and very respectful of the story behind the car.
Thank you for these, Jay, and thank you for honoring the man who was the steward of the car before you.
moparedtn maybe he’s dying
Jay, I rarely comment but I feel that I need to adress this occasion. You've really done some good videos lately. I appreciate them a lot! The Saab 93, Ferrari 308, Duesenberg and now this. It's just amazing. Love the slow tempo, your anecdotes, care of details. Etc. The new cars are not as interesting. Keep the videos like this. Because when you do, even a Saab guy like myself can find interest in a Plymouth, it's just the way you present it! Merry Christmas
Anton Björklund pretty closed minded. You should open your mind to new things. You don’t have to hate everything new to you. Give it a chance you might live longer
Anton Björklund I like seeing the full spectrum in the automotive world..old and new alike.
@@pauldigga5419 Golly, I didn't know Anton Bjorklund wasn't allowed his opinion.
Jay is right in saying that "The whole world slows down when you drive one of these cars."
Just wonderful
Reverse light = Hella VW Beetle accessory 👍
Jay , that was that was the saddest car story. You really eulogized Leonard's love for his car. You touched on the basic love for the hobby.
As a 5 year old I stood in front of my uncle Eddy driving his 1951 John Deere A. Today I have a JD A just like it and drive it nearly every day. Tears well up remembering my uncle. I'm 70 now.
God bless Leonard 💔✌️
I guess I'm old, I love watching Jay with vehicles like this. His love and value for the car is matched with his value for the past owner. Thank you for taking me back to some good memories... in both our lives.
I thought that was going to be one of those ICON thingamajigs, but this is much better.
I like the ICON Derelicts, but it nice too see a car like this.
My favorite JLG video. Jay, It’s so clear your love for cars is connected to your love for your father, family, and community in which you were raised.
When I was a little stinker my grandparents had one of these. I remember Mom & I visiting at their hardware store. When they closed up it was dark. I got to ride in the back seat. But I remember leaning over the front seat and looking at the odometer, which was lighted. I asked what the numbers were. Gramps said they were the miles. But I could see the digit on the end was different. So I asked about that. He said it was the tenths. That was a new word to me. I thought he said, TENTS. And I believed that for years.
When I started working I worked for a real grump named Dave. He had one of these. Dave was a brick layer. He hauled bags of cement in that car. Even bricks. He really put that car through its' paces. And it held up just fine.
In my family, Dad came on the scene in 1956. He would go to the parts house and buy seat belts. Then he or our mechanic would install them. I still appreciate that Dad understood the extra measure of safety that this new thing, the seat belt could give his family.
I don't need a law about seat belts. When I get in a car or truck, I buckle up because I WANT TO! (By the way, it's the same with motorcycle helmets. I wear one because I want the protection. Not because a law says I must wear it. That's just wisdom.)
Anyway, good video, Jay. I enjoyed the trip back in time. And the review of all the old virtues in this car.
By the way, I have always raken it that the ship emblems on a Plymouth were the Mayflower. Because that's the ship that landed at Plymouth Rock. What do you think of that notion?
Everybody knew back then that the Plymouth related to the Mayflower, as you stated. Some people even named their Plymouth "Priscilla," from the stories that came out of the Massachusetts colony.
First thing I thought when Jay
showed the bonnet emblem was" Mayflower."
Jay has a great enthusiasm and passion for all cars, it doesn't matter if it's 97hp or 907hp. Awesome to see the enjoyment he gets out of them.
Doesn’t get lost in the cloud, just keep it in the back of the car, love it
When I watch these episodes I literally forget that Jay Leno was the host of the Tonight Show. His love for cars has to be so great to make some of us forget that he was host of the Tonight show. If my hypothetical grandson ever asks me "Who was Jay Leno?" I'll tell him he was a man that loved cars.
and I hope he will be remembered MORE for this you tube series than that tonight show............
@@SailorAllan ,....We can't forget that without TTS Jay wouldn't have had the money to have his "Garage" for us to enjoy these wonderful vids. In his own words. He's got so many cars because he's president of "The more money than brains club". I say thank God for that!
I get it. I love your show. I can't hardly wait for the new episodes every Sunday night or Monday. Really Jay I'm so glad you do this. I love your cars. You have such a great collection. I really like the original stuff. Again thank you.
This was a beautiful episode.
Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
I'm not a "car guy" but I love this show. Thanx J L
Jay, I feel terrible for passing over one of your best videos until now! A masterful job of honoring Leonard and showcasing his car. Your best video!
Brings back very early memories of my father having one of these from 1950 to 55 or 56 for a family of 7. Same car, same color! Basic, utilitarian transportation!
LOVE episodes like this! Thank you! Nowhere else are you gonna find an episode on a 50 Plymouth:)
Sooooooo tired of super cars and brand new cookie cutters.
Again thank you Mr Leno👍🇨🇦
Plymouth, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury
R.IP. I miss these old brands.
Flame Beats
Of all the cars that have come and gone the one I miss the most is Saab. They made unique and distinctive automobiles
I had the pleasure of owning a 1965 Pontiac; best car I ever had
I wish Scion didn't get the axe
Jay Leno is such a respectful person. His comments are heartfelt & he is able to relate the experience he is sharing to his own life & to ours. He spent a decent amount of time lauding the dedication of an ordinary Joe, who in his own right was everything but that. Thank you Leonard Kolodziejski.
A nice salute to Leonard. My wife's grandfather is a big Studebaker guy and he's getting up there where he's starting to doubt how much longer he will be able work on his projects he loves so much. He had me out in his shop yesterday on xmas and said that everything in there was free to anyone who would care for and appreciate his stuff. I told him I knew of such a guy. He was more than happy when I told him he was actually a member of the family. He smiled and we went and looked at old issues of Hotrod magazines from the 50's. We're heading up next week to cheer him up and swap stories again.
Jay, thank you for this particular video! My family never had a car like this. I was born in 1950. My Dad was driving a 1946 Ford convertible. This is a beauty! It reminds me of "The Good Old Days". When gas was always in the middle of "gas wars". In St. Louis, Mo., you could buy gas for 5 cents a gallon.I relate this car to tube based radios and record players and jukeboxes, and guitar amps! I love vintage tube guitar amps. Like this car, they were what was to come. This car has come full circle. It had no trunk and the back seat folded down, just like today! It was the 1st. Station Wagon. So called to use to go to the Railroad Station and gather people and their luggage! Happy Holidaze! Thanxz
This vid got me all teary eyed, jay!!! Love the history!
The narrative on this is just excellent. Thank you for a wonderful trip down the memory lane, keep them good old girls coming.
Jay thank you for this moving tribute to my friend Len and his Suburban. We shared the hobby of collecting auto sales literature. He really would have appreciated your kind words.
Great car! In 1962 my Dad had a "well used" one that he used to haul excavated dirt from home to Cleveland Burke Lakefront landfill that is now an airport!
Oh I love that car, even the sound of the engine. One of my favorite episodes Jay.
Same
This is my favorite so far! Other than the trucks.....im a sucker for the old station wagons.
😊 Yes the old classic wagons remind of simpler times.
This is a beautiful car and story about a true American Hero, thank you Mr.Leno for sharing this story with us
Agreed
Beautifully respectful to an ordinary but good man who loved his car. A credit to you Jay.
My dad used to go on and on about old car facts. He died six years ago. Now I listen to Jay Leno go on and on about old car facts. This was the best episode I've seen so far. It's awesome when Jay just forgets about time and talks to the camera like it's a person. I haven't seen anything in a long time that translates this well, like I'm actually there.
This is one of my favorite videos of yours. Your appreciation and thoughtfulness of both man and machine is heartwarming.
Absolute bliss of the simple times. Thanks Jay.
Love it when you present these well preserved old cars Jay! And I love that you donated to veterans in Leonard's name - true class! Just a thought, you don't win a bronze star, you earn it. My dad earned 2 in Vietnam. Peace brother.
A class act
I get it! Learned to drive in my dad's 1949 Plymouth 4-door sedan. Same engine and 3-speed transmission. She's a beauty. Thank you Leonard for MY FREEDOM! Thank you Mr. Leno for saving his beloved for future generations to enjoy.
Thanks Jay, brings back loads of memories, I'm a 50 model myself. Our family car was a 53 Plymouth Suburban well into the 60's, ours had overdrive. I love to hear a Mopar flathead six they do have their own sound. My first car was a 1948 Dodge Sedan with fluid drive, I still have it...sounds just like your Plymouth...Thanks again...
Loved the JC Whitney catalogs! I used to get motorcycle parts out if it back in the late 70's, early 80's
:)
This makes me wanna watch Mad Men, absolutely love that era of cars, that thing is so beautiful.
Personally, I really love the windshield "awning"! I think my grandfather had one of these or one like it!
Learned to drive my dad's j3000 keep truck sitting on his lap. 3 on the tree, no ps, no pb. It was a beast. A memory that has lasted my entire life. When sold the gladiator, it had over 250k miles on it. Thanks Jay!
Watching Jay's vids is the next best thing to having your own antique car collection, only without all the work to keep it up. Jay shows you all around each car, under the hood, the trunk, everything.
Mom had one, it was red. We called it the “ the tomato can”.
Lol
I love episodes like this one. Great job, Jay! A "good ol' girl" indeed!
Same!
Just wishing everybody and their families happy and safe holidays ☺️
boxed fenders you too! Merry Christmas and or Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to both of you
Have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year's .🌲
Merry Christmas! 🎅🎄🎁
Jay, your speech is poetry: "the whole world just slows down when you have one of these"
A nice tribute to a fallen hero. You are the man, Mr. Jay Leno........