It's so great that Jay keeps reminding us through out his presentation why this engine was built in the first place and keeps giving credit to the men and women who sacrificed so much. Jay is reminding us of the magnificence of this engine and it's big part in history and he is so proud to own it.
The Merlin was nothing short of sheer genius. Originally designed to produce 1000hp, later versions (the Merlin 130) went to 2070hp. Props to Jay for his touching tribute to the folks who built and flew this amazing engine.
I enjoy the fact that There is no BS from Jay. He is so knowledgeable, really does his homework and if he doesn't know something he is not ashamed to say so. Humble and happy to learn more, he doesn't always have to be the smartest guy in the room. It makes his presentations so good and never boring. Thank you Jay.
Everything you stated is true. And, The reason why that is??? Is because Jay has a blue-collar-heart. Coupled with a white-collar-mind. Furthermore, Jay is from a blue-collar family growing up. His entire, Life. He wasn’t raised in a self-centered, smug, arrogant type family. Just the opposite.
My father Norman More was a flight mechanic in England during the battle of Britain , so nice to see a credit to people like him who kept these awsum machine's running, thanks Jay , brought a tear to my eye.
hello Michael, how are you doing. I hope you are safe and in good health. I just found your picture attractive, hope you don’t mind us chatting sometimes to get to know each other.
It really is wonderful. I enjoy Hagerty and a few other channels but none really come close. If anyone has any suggestions for other great car channels that would be much appreciated.
This is why you earn good money, to use it on fun things, not just to sit in the bank and look on the balance; enjoy your passion. Would love to see a Collaboration with Jay and Richard Carpenter one of these day, another Collector.
@@oceannavagator at least he's sharing his boon with the rest of us. how many of these car collectors horde their stock and never allow the public to even set eyes upon them, much less take us along for a ride? their classics sit and collect dust while they pay illegal immigrants sub-minimum wages to wipe them down daily. Jay employs a couple of talented mechanics to maintain/repair/fabricate/restore these beauties and pays them well, i am sure.
Well, my computer was $600, my monitor was $125, my internet bill is $106 because it's part of my phone bill. Without my $250 phone, I have no internet. So it was $1031 for the first month and $106 every month after that. But if you're asking us if it's worth it, heck yes.
This is what I love about Jay, he gives you a lesson in engineering, history and his RESPECT for the men and women that served. THANK YOU SOOOO much JAY, your the best.
I'm really sick of those who served and panderers like you who think they are special. WW2 was important, but "those who serve" today (or since Vietnam) are as much war criminals as heroes.
@@racerd3801 Thank you for your sarcasm, I appreciate it! The truth is sometimes unkind but truth is more valuable than manners. I refer you to Chomsky on conformity. "How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be when there is no help in the truth." - Sophocles, (495-405 BCE)
This car will be Jay's legacy. It's absolutely gorgeous. I'm a Rolls-Royce owner and I think this is more of a 'real' Rolls-Royce than a new Wraith. Well done to all who were involved. This is a masterpiece for the ages.
As much as I totally agree with your entire comment, the Wraith and many of the modern-day Rolls Royces still have meaning, importance, emotion, etc. all around. The Wraith defines perfection as a Luxurious, Vivacious Gran Tourer; The Dawn is a dazzling, elegant yacht; The Ghost being the same as well; The Phantom being the all-ruling boss; and the Cullinan being what the Phantom is, but taller.
@@rahulmandala4930 In my opinion almost all low output car manufacturers are diluted due to their need to be financially viable or/and the fact that they're almost all owned by bigger manufacturers. A lot of the components of todays Rolls Royce can be traced to BMW, and to some extent thats good. It ensures some degree of QC because BMW have the funds to design and test to a greater extent than RR could on their own. However some soul is lost imo compared to a RR that could've been fully built in Goodwood.
@@philipsode4168 You would have to go back a long time before the Germans to find an RR without significant foreign content. Back in the 80's I had a friend who restored these cars and he said his favourites were the 50's six cylinder cars because so many of the parts were sourced from GM. It made the cars more reliable and much less expensive to keep on the road.
@@davephillips5868 Late comment but you are right. It's a simple numbers game, not enough rich people to buy the vehicles so they have to use mass produced design elements and companies to stay alive. I know if I had something like this Id change the carbs to EFI with Weber throttle bodies, hidden DIS with LS coils and change the camshafts so that it would be more efficient.
What an astounding piece of engineering - the engine, transmission and bodywork. Mr Leno, you have some world class engineers maintaining your collection. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
The funny thing is that the sound of radar is what won the battle of Britain. The early warning allowed and British planes up and ready for the Germans that were empty of fuel and unable to have a dog fight. Not many people know that
@@gregwarner3753 Pfft. The Lancaster had four of these puppies. I've been up close and personal with the only two flying examples of Roy Chadwick's extraordinary plane and NOTHING comes close to the sound of four Merlins in full song.
my god this car is amazing. The amount of work and reverse engineering and craftwork put into this to me is far more impressive than any of the modern supercars.
Stunning engine. Stunning bodywork. Stunning build. Very very understated. As if a Brit had built it, ie no bling, which is a huge compliment to Jay and his workforce. You cannot buy taste and class. Kudos.
I choose to believe that no one into a god tier car like that would do anything to it other than let it speak for itself. What an unbelievably iconic piece of industrial art.
Couldn't agree more. As a Brit I had a lump in my throat watching this. Not just because of the love and care these talented gentlemen put into restoring this incredible machine, but also because of the deference they expressed as to how it was even possible. SIrs, I salute you.
My father worked for Thrupp and Maberly in London during the war as a panel beater making bodies for Rolls Royce he was 14 years old and survived two bombings at the plant he is now 91
Andrew Ward my great grandfather and grandmother (rest in peace to both of them) both worked at Bentley in Crewe and met while working and stared dating.. not long after with the outbreak of WW2, he was drafted into the military and my grandmother stayed working at the factory and ended up overseeing a production line of the Merlin engine.
i usually dont like rich people maybe i'm jealous, but i think jay deserves everything he has, because he is nice enough to share it all with us, thanks jay
Jay grew up extremely poor though and never forgot where he came from. In fact the reason he doesn't wear a wedding ring even though he has been married for years is because when he got married he couldn't afford a ring so he doesn't wear one to always remind him of that.
@@mulder19x95 my dad and i just had dinner, and uess what thats exactly what he said, jay nver fogoet he grew up , something so down to earth and un pretencious about jay, just a great stand up fellah
Jay is about as rare as it gets. Usually people with his level of money have such typical taste with cars, either a new Ferrari or Porsche with a land rover daily driver. Jay has the best taste by far
@@craigmclean8260 : actually: aviation motors are being built for airplanes..this Jay Leno experimental car is great...but why would you put a huge "Wasp Major" into a car ? That's kind of stupid...like having a noble race trotter pull your shabby little old camping trailer.
This was soo heartfelt, jay has massive respect for history and our soldiers, you could tell throughout that he is quite affected by the heroism and selflessness of those who serve and have served, we should all follow his example and honor our brave men and women in uniform and say thank you for you’re service and sacrifice! 🇺🇸
Germany esp. learned lessons after WW2. I don't think Western Europe will ever fight each other again after that terrible war. There are other areas/countries we need to be alert to though. Catch it early, not as we did with Hitler.
Wonderful. I’ll never forget the intensity of my first experience of witnessing a Merlin starting. A Mk IX Supermarine Spitfire at the Newtownards airshow in the 80’s . I was about 12 years old , standing about 20 feet away and directly in line with the exhaust stubs. It felt like Zeus himself had descended on us.
Gorgeous! It *is* an effing Rolls-Royce! Back in the day Rolls sold the chassis *only* and you took it to the coach builder of your choice and they built what you wanted.
5:20 you can hear his voice getting shaking talking about it. it really means a lot to him. jay seems like one of the few good hollywood celebrities left.
I like that Jay decided to have the steering on the right side. Very British. It is a tribute to teh love and level of attention that went into the car. Well done. Hat off.
Thanks, Jay, your tribute honoring the young men who fought for us during WW2 w/ many perishing on D-Day, June 6th, 1944, and you've mounted upon the valve cover of this beautiful '34 Merlin military engine caused my eyes to well-up, my face became flush, and my chest and heart filled with emotion ( some call that crying). I just can't say enough how much a guy such as myself, in his 60th year, appreciates your choice of methods for giving back. I think what you have done and continue to do is quite unique, building a sort of historical timeline of automotive manufacturing with inflection points expressing advances in engineering along with conceptual innovation that has been such a part of world car production. Your contribution to that history also teaches and informs us as to the excitement about the more visceral aspects of acceleration, stopping, handling, craftsmanship, etc., offered to a greater or lesser degree by each machine's design and purpose. I love what you do Jay, thank you for sharing these treasures, always! Nobody else does what you do, please, please continue on car-maestro!
It saddens me that if i was born in the 1920's i would probably have fought 'Uncle Joe's' tyranny in the east, and i would have been demonized for it by history, regardless of the monstrous atrocities perpetrated in the name of bolshevism.
@@luckie79 - you'd be surprised - I would think they'd actually love to get behind this. The company is a bit different now doing things like the Black Badge range... I'd love to see RR actually give it the thumbs up to badge it properly.
The car is unique so it deserves a unique piece on the radiator. Not a series made emblem. Why would you want it to look like something that it is not? By that I do not mean to say that one is ‘better’ than the other, just that they are different.
Well, he's the end of his line.....It's kinda sad that no children or grandchildren of Jay's will carry the torch or maintain the name and collection when he's gone.
I've watched this episode 3 times now. Jay is a fantastic human being aside from being a truly great collector and custodian of all these vehicles. I really like this guy. Late night TV still hasn't recovered since he left. It was the end of an era.
I've watched a lot of these episodes over the years, and this is probably my favorite. Jay has such a reverence for the subject matter, and his deep respect for the design, engineering and execution, as well as the WWII history behind this engine, make for a deeply interesting story. Why would a guy spend three fortunes redesigning and rebuilding a car he'll only drive a couple of times a year? LOVE, pure and simple...
I have to say you sir are a true enthusiast. This was a huge undertaking and you and your team pulled it off with flying colours. Thank you for a great video and the story of the build. All the best from England 👍
A work of art, and wonderful that the Merlin was one of those built at Hillington in Glasgow. Your eye for history and detail is a delight, Jay. I love the way your team are more scientists than mechanics! Best wishes from Scotland!
"Taxiing" - Jay talks about the feel of this awesome machine. I flew the F-15, and in IDLE, on a long taxiway, the aircraft would accelerate to 80 knots, 90 mph, or more. We were constantly on the brakes to keep it in check. The power was insane. No parking brake. Holding short for a while, your legs got quivery from simply keeping the aircraft from moving. I appreciate the men who do this sort of work. Jay Leno has my respect; so refreshing from other "stars".
Incredible work by Jay's team. There's nothing like the sound of a Merlin, even normally aspirated. I was at an air race decades ago, and most of the planes were Merlin powered. The sound of them coming around the pylons was something I've never forgotten.
For a Merlin aircraft engine you need a specially built truck gear box with specially tough clutch , cardan axle, differential and all. You did it and the results are amazing! Thanks.
I too have seen the Lancaster flying too, but it was in company of a Hurricane and Spitfire in the summer of 81 . I was on holiday in the Isle of Wight, and the three aeroplanes flew about 100 - 200 feet above the beach. Time n people stopped still as the air was ripped apart by the sound of 6 Merlin's and they banked over the bay with the sun reflecting on glass cockpit covers. And then in the 90's was lucky to work at Bham international airport, there was a single Supermarine Spitfire practising manouvers over the airport. You could hear the engine inside the building!!! It climbed and turned and flew gracefully and even did a Victory Roll. Awesome Sunday never forgotten, if I had the money I'd fly in the twin seat spitfire.
All I can say is, Jay is a class act, I always watched him on the tonight show and still like everything he does, his wife is also a classy person. thanks Jay.
@@George.Andrews. you forget about Americans in Iraq bombing hospitals for 20 years just cause 2 buildings were attacked....but of course Americans always are allergic remembering their war crimes even while they still doing them
Rolls Royce never published the power output of their car engines- all they would say is that it was *"adequate".* Wonderful car to see and hear- it makes me proud to be British..! Thank you for sharing this with us Jay- a true gentleman and a car enthusiast as well.
Great car Jay as a Glaswegian nice to hear your mum hailed from there. My mother helped build aircraft parts during the war in Glasgow as a turner. You are right we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all who helped the war effort and to you Americans without whom the war would not have been won.
Jay not only drives his cars but is knowledgeable about them. He knows a lot about cars. Enough to where I learn things about cars listening to him. Jay is a legend!!
Thank you so much Mr. Leno. My father used to tell me stories of how wonderful the Merlin engine was in his P-40 Warhawk. he was a fighter pilot in the Pacific theater with the US army air corps, stationed in New Guinea.
ROBERT HOGUE not the F and L variants, they used a Merlin 13 engine that gave them an effective ceiling of 20 Angels. Guys would strip out two of the 50 cals and the wing fuel tanks to make faster birds and pounce enemies in a diving attack knowing nothing could chase them down. They were hot planes
That is a beautiful car, powered by, in my opinion, the greatest internal combustion engine ever built. Car and engine are both as much art as machine, and are a terrific tribute to the men and women who built, and later flew, the numerous aircraft powered by the mighty Merlin.
Jay, few people ever speak of the incredible purpose we all took on hands to win that war. I enlisted in the Marines in 75 simply because someone has to serve or we all fail. I've long enjoyed your "garage" sharing, I own a few vehicles in common with you, a Triumph from the seventies, a couple harleys, one I built from scratch, all new in 95, about thirty bikes in fifty years, dozens of cars, trucks, and bikes, moving through the states as a marine for two decades. You are an inspiration to so many of us who love, live and breath engines, many of us pulled into it by war. I would give a lot to have a cup of coffee or three, and good conversation over engines. That is perhaps the first time I've ever seen that "special magneto". I've had a magneto on a TR6R, and a couple Harley's with maggies, never seen one that "throws a shower of sparks". I have had a "trembler coil" that made a shower of sparks, but that was substantially different. Thanks for all you do for us "gearheads". I love the Dana 60 axle, I had an old GMC truck with the same rear end, forty years ago, that truck was simply bulletproof. I sold it in Hawaii, because my wife couldn't handle the clutch while I was deployed. Best truck I ever had. 79 GMC, four bolt 350, top loading four speed. I got to watch a few Merlins in aircraft back in the early seventies, flying out of Cherry Point, NC. A few airshows at the bicentennial. One of the consistencies you've given us is the constant reminder of "how we became the manufacturing powerhouse we once were. I've been enjoying your expositions as few other reminders of what we did in those decades.
I love all these classics Jay has.... great taste mate! I like his kindness and the tribute to those lost in wartime too. Jay is a nice man. No doubt about it.
600 RPM at 60+ MPH makes this my favorite car ever. This is so awesome. This would tow better than any factory truck on the road today, with 1700 ft/lbs of torque and 1000hp.
If you could afford the gas to drive it. I spoke with a pilot who was flying a P-51 at an airshow, back in the 1990's; his comment about fuel economy was, it took about $150 worth of high octane avgas just for startup and taxi to the runway. Mercy, the sound of these big V-12's is intoxicating, I could listen to that car run all day.
@@DeereX748 Holy cow! That's a ton of fuel!! I have to imagine, with turning only about 600rpms, with those skinny tires, at 45 or 60 mph, it's gotta get at least 10 mpg? I'd love to know what the actual gas mileage is? My hope is that one day, when politics change, we will be allowed to retrofit old carbureted engines with a water fuel system. It might be 30 years until we are allowed to do that, but it would make old cars even more valuable. The very first ICE engine ever built, ran on electrolyzed water. There was a man in New Zealand in 2008, that seemed to be driving his motorcycle on a type of homemade hydrogen peroxide.
That's a genuine piece of art you built Jay... Please do get that brake booster in there as I'm sure you'll feel more relaxed and assured. Also, you weren't kidding when you said that the transmission is slung low. I can't believe how close those skid rails are to the ground. I guess you have to be very careful and on the lookout for any manholes that are even slightly above street grade. Love your show and I can't get enough. Please don't ever stop making them.
Yes I agree, those skid rails must give only 3 to 5 inches clearance ? When I observed that it made me wonder if it would be practical to rotate the engine a few degrees but I realize it is a unusually complex engine and it could further complicate configuring the oil cooling lines and fuel lines and pumps. But the main reason I would be loath to do it is it would alter the beautiful symmetry of the engine compartment.
Oh man what a beautiful car, gotta love aircraft engines on cars! This show really made me appreciate old cars, and especially cars like this. Thank you again Jay for your work on cars. JLG is the best car show, ever.
My father was bomb-aimer (462 Squadron) in a Handley Paige Halifax (LW440 Z5B) and flew 32 missions in that same aircraft in WWII, and came home to raise a family. Imagine, the Halifax had four of these beautiful engines, so in a 1000 bomber raid there’d be 4000 of these engined roaring in one huge formation.
In a 1000 bomber raid there would be also a lot of Bristol Hercules engines (Lancaster Mk II and Short Stirlings and Halifax B.III) running around. So far from 4000 merlins around.
What a brilliant guy Jay is, to put that plaque on the engine as a tribute to a guy he never knew is something really special.
It's so great that Jay keeps reminding us through out his presentation why this engine was built in the first place and keeps giving credit to the men and women who sacrificed so much. Jay is reminding us of the magnificence of this engine and it's big part in history and he is so proud to own it.
Thoroughly enjoyed vicarious vroom
Thank you
As an Auto enthusiast, I've never been disappointed by an episode of JLG.....love em all, for their unique-ness...this episode is no different
I keep thinking if I wasn't a car guy I would be by the end of one of these videos
*test*
lll*uuu*oo
𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥'𝕤 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕦𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕚𝕥'𝕤 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕪.
The Merlin was nothing short of sheer genius. Originally designed to produce 1000hp, later versions (the Merlin 130) went to 2070hp. Props to Jay for his touching tribute to the folks who built and flew this amazing engine.
The also had the lower rated tank engine version called meteor.
Was props a pun? Lol
@@Revener666 Charlie Greenfield from the UK has a Meteor engine in his Rover SD1. He said it will do 200mph but needs a long enough runway to do it.
@@Revener666 Yeah the 27L meteor cranked out 600hp.
Your the man Jay what a car. Mike Mann’s is a friend of mine Iam glad you to got together. In the big city of Festus Missouri !!
"It's a car. It should be able to drive itself to a car show." - I wish more collectors shared that sentiment.
They weren't made to sit.. They were built to run
its fun to see you having fun jay.
Greg Gar
No! Cars should be stored and kept in perfect and unused condition, just like the virginity of these kind of owners.
@@igkgigoh What's the point of even having it if you dont drive it?
Why not just get a prop or a portrait?
I enjoy the fact that There is no BS from Jay. He is so knowledgeable, really does his homework and if he doesn't know something he is not ashamed to say so. Humble and happy to learn more, he doesn't always have to be the smartest guy in the room. It makes his presentations so good and never boring. Thank you Jay.
He shares it with us freely, our gain, and we appreciate it freely, his gain.
Qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq++a
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching.
This engine helped win the war!
Everything you stated is true. And, The reason why that is??? Is because Jay has a blue-collar-heart. Coupled with a white-collar-mind. Furthermore, Jay is from a blue-collar family growing up. His entire, Life. He wasn’t raised in a self-centered, smug, arrogant type family. Just the opposite.
I like how Jay gies credit to the guys who did all the work!
Jay really does a good job educating us about the beauty of the beauty of these works of art.
Car guys always become friends with their mechanics when they're not doing the work themselves. Common love for the design and engineering.
A humble man
My father Norman More was a flight mechanic in England during the battle of Britain , so nice to see a credit to people like him who kept these awsum machine's running, thanks Jay , brought a tear to my eye.
hello Michael, how are you doing. I hope you are safe and in good health.
I just found your picture attractive, hope you don’t mind us chatting sometimes to get to know each other.
Nobody else bring this kind of content to RUclips or anywhere else.
Thanks to Jay and his crew, these videos are such a wonderful gift to the world!
Nobody else could afford to produce this content.
Kermit Weeks does it for airplanes
It really is wonderful. I enjoy Hagerty and a few other channels but none really come close. If anyone has any suggestions for other great car channels that would be much appreciated.
This is why you earn good money, to use it on fun things, not just to sit in the bank and look on the balance; enjoy your passion. Would love to see a Collaboration with Jay and Richard Carpenter one of these day, another Collector.
@@oceannavagator at least he's sharing his boon with the rest of us. how many of these car collectors horde their stock and never allow the public to even set eyes upon them, much less take us along for a ride? their classics sit and collect dust while they pay illegal immigrants sub-minimum wages to wipe them down daily.
Jay employs a couple of talented mechanics to maintain/repair/fabricate/restore these beauties and pays them well, i am sure.
Aren't we lucky to get such quality content for free!
People are still commenting on this a year later....
"free"
No ads, for me at least
Abso"f****ng"lutly!!!
Well, my computer was $600, my monitor was $125, my internet bill is $106 because it's part of my phone bill. Without my $250 phone, I have no internet. So it was $1031 for the first month and $106 every month after that. But if you're asking us if it's worth it, heck yes.
@@aaardvarkkk remind me not to invite you over for dinner 😂😂
This is what I love about Jay, he gives you a lesson in engineering, history and his RESPECT for the men and women that served. THANK YOU SOOOO much JAY, your the best.
He wouldn't have it any other way
I'm really sick of those who served and panderers like you who think they are special. WW2 was important, but "those who serve" today (or since Vietnam) are as much war criminals as heroes.
@@johnsmith1474 Thank you for your kind words
@@racerd3801 Thank you for your sarcasm, I appreciate it! The truth is sometimes unkind but truth is more valuable than manners. I refer you to Chomsky on conformity. "How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be when there is no help in the truth." - Sophocles, (495-405 BCE)
@@johnsmith1474 I don,t think this is the correct place for this conversation, do you? by the way what branch did you serve in????
This car will be Jay's legacy. It's absolutely gorgeous. I'm a Rolls-Royce owner and I think this is more of a 'real' Rolls-Royce than a new Wraith. Well done to all who were involved. This is a masterpiece for the ages.
As much as I totally agree with your entire comment, the Wraith and many of the modern-day Rolls Royces still have meaning, importance, emotion, etc. all around. The Wraith defines perfection as a Luxurious, Vivacious Gran Tourer; The Dawn is a dazzling, elegant yacht; The Ghost being the same as well; The Phantom being the all-ruling boss; and the Cullinan being what the Phantom is, but taller.
@@rahulmandala4930
In my opinion almost all low output car manufacturers are diluted due to their need to be financially viable or/and the fact that they're almost all owned by bigger manufacturers. A lot of the components of todays Rolls Royce can be traced to BMW, and to some extent thats good. It ensures some degree of QC because BMW have the funds to design and test to a greater extent than RR could on their own. However some soul is lost imo compared to a RR that could've been fully built in Goodwood.
@@philipsode4168 You would have to go back a long time before the Germans to find an RR without significant foreign content. Back in the 80's I had a friend who restored these cars and he said his favourites were the 50's six cylinder cars because so many of the parts were sourced from GM. It made the cars more reliable and much less expensive to keep on the road.
@@davephillips5868 Late comment but you are right. It's a simple numbers game, not enough rich people to buy the vehicles so they have to use mass produced design elements and companies to stay alive.
I know if I had something like this Id change the carbs to EFI with Weber throttle bodies, hidden DIS with LS coils and change the camshafts so that it would be more efficient.
Nice touch with the memorial plaque. Well done. Lest we forget the people and what those machines were made for.
Sounded like he was getting choked up.
@@Jason_Quinn: well, that's the nice thing about Jay: He cares !!!
I love that car. It is pure class with that long hood and tapering down to that sleek boat tail. Your guys did a great job Jay.
Its lines truly are stunning! Throughout the video I was just thinking to myself... man that car really is beautiful!! Well done.
@MichaelKingsfordGray "Entirely American," except for the fact that Cord copied the external exhaust from Mercedes-Benz.
@@mpf1947 : right, for example the SSK-race car etc.
@MichaelKingsfordGray Well Efff-em. It's a glorious automobile and a fine tribute that I think will stand the test of time.
What an astounding piece of engineering - the engine, transmission and bodywork.
Mr Leno, you have some world class engineers maintaining your collection. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
I agree, it is a beautiful car but there is something sad about such an old relic.
I don't think there is a car in the world that suits you more than this beast! What a machine. Like a custom tailored suit. She's a beauty
Jay is such a top bloke. It's impossible not to like him or be infected by his passion. Ed from England.
Lovely of you to say, mate. 🙂
Cheers mate.
Class act Mr Leno. Thank you for paying tribute the history and lives lost to protect our freedoms.
A car which has an engine note that's the sound of victory
Not the same but the spirit is there 🤣
The funny thing is that the sound of radar is what won the battle of Britain. The early warning allowed and British planes up and ready for the Germans that were empty of fuel and unable to have a dog fight.
Not many people know that
@peetsnort RADAR would of been utterly useless without the planes sent up to intercept its targets.
I love the sound of a Rolls Merlin engine, absolutely beautiful.
I'm sure there were many German pilots who thought the exact same thing, even as they were shot from the skies.
Have you ever heard a Mosquito fighter/bomber fly by. Two Merlin engines in close formation.
The glory days of hydroplanes, I went to all the seafair races with my grampa then the turbine boats ruined it for me, and him!!!
@@gregwarner3753 the Lancaster has double the engines so double the sound.
@@gregwarner3753 Pfft. The Lancaster had four of these puppies. I've been up close and personal with the only two flying examples of Roy Chadwick's extraordinary plane and NOTHING comes close to the sound of four Merlins in full song.
my god this car is amazing. The amount of work and reverse engineering and craftwork put into this to me is far more impressive than any of the modern supercars.
I thought your picture was a piece of my hair on the phone
This is hands down the most beautiful automobile i have ever laid my eyes on.
For sure !!
It's up there I think.
Check out final objective 55 Chevy, Rod Hatfield built in Victoria Castlemaine Rod Shop .
Certainly my sentiment.
Look up the round door Rolls Royce and the Bugatti Type 41 "Royale"
Jay is so knowledgeable, respectful and gives his team a chance to express themselves. Thanks for giving tribute to the soldier.
Stunning engine.
Stunning bodywork.
Stunning build.
Very very understated. As if a Brit had built it, ie no bling, which is a huge compliment to Jay and his workforce. You cannot buy taste and class. Kudos.
Understated power is fabulous. Probably why I love Bentley and Rolls so much. Leave it to Europe to make it right the first time.
Michael Hayward The Brits have made some of the greatest things in history.
I choose to believe that no one into a god tier car like that would do anything to it other than let it speak for itself. What an unbelievably iconic piece of industrial art.
@@Tomatohater64 Britain. Not Europe. Leave it to Europe to start a totalitarian driven bloody conflict among their rivalrous tribes.
Couldn't agree more. As a Brit I had a lump in my throat watching this. Not just because of the love and care these talented gentlemen put into restoring this incredible machine, but also because of the deference they expressed as to how it was even possible. SIrs, I salute you.
I now officially give Jay his "British in Spirit" title... His love for British cars and Bikes is lovely to see...great show and you learn so much...
I think he just likes cars and knows good engineering when he sees it.
@@caleblarsen5490 sorry mate…your wrong…need to watch more of Jay professing his love of British cars and bikes…cheers
He did say that his mother was born in Glascow.
Merlin 1650 was built in Detroit by Packard.....companies based in Glasgow Scotland.
But definitely as Jay has said 100 times and I agree completely
NOTHING MORE CLASSY THAN A BRITISH CAR....ROLLS BENTLEY RANGEROVER ASTONMARTIN
My father worked for Thrupp and Maberly in London during the war as a panel beater making bodies for Rolls Royce he was 14 years old and survived two bombings at the plant he is now 91
Andrew Ward my great grandfather and grandmother (rest in peace to both of them) both worked at Bentley in Crewe and met while working and stared dating.. not long after with the outbreak of WW2, he was drafted into the military and my grandmother stayed working at the factory and ended up overseeing a production line of the Merlin engine.
Well ain't that something good for him man 😊
Your dad is one tough son of a gun. let him know the internet loves him.
Oh my gosh. God bless that man 🙏
Respect.
That's why I love Jay. I don't like to trailer my cars. That's awesome.
i usually dont like rich people maybe i'm jealous, but i think jay deserves everything he has, because he is nice enough to share it all with us, thanks jay
Jay grew up extremely poor though and never forgot where he came from. In fact the reason he doesn't wear a wedding ring even though he has been married for years is because when he got married he couldn't afford a ring so he doesn't wear one to always remind him of that.
@@mulder19x95 my dad and i just had dinner, and uess what thats exactly what he said, jay nver fogoet he grew up , something so down to earth and un pretencious about jay, just a great stand up fellah
Jay is about as rare as it gets. Usually people with his level of money have such typical taste with cars, either a new Ferrari or Porsche with a land rover daily driver. Jay has the best taste by far
@@mulder19x95 I think extremely poor night be a stretch. Maybe more so when very young but his dad was buying new cars in the 1960's.
@Skodaman2 true. But at the same time, if money were no object, wouldn't you have one of each too?
Now that's a proper car!! 27 litres of pure aviation happiness housed within a great motor!! Awesome stuff!!
I'd like to see the R2800 in a car, but I don't see how they could fit 46liters on a car.
Now that would be something else, a massive radial engine in a car would be awesome, I guess someone will try it one day lol
I thought the car housed the motor?
@@craigmclean8260 : actually: aviation motors are being built for airplanes..this Jay Leno experimental car is great...but why would you put a huge "Wasp Major" into a car ? That's kind of stupid...like having a noble race trotter pull your shabby little old camping trailer.
One of the most beautiful things ive ever seen
The engine that won the war. Beautiful vintage sound~
Thanks Jay from a UK RAF Veteran, for the respect and your passion about these beautiful machines.
This was soo heartfelt, jay has massive respect for history and our soldiers, you could tell throughout that he is quite affected by the heroism and selflessness of those who serve and have served, we should all follow his example and honor our brave men and women in uniform and say thank you for you’re service and sacrifice! 🇺🇸
Jay. Your show is so much more than just a program about a rolls Royce. Thanks
So muxh knowledge here too.
Germany esp. learned lessons after WW2. I don't think Western Europe will ever fight each other again after that terrible war. There are other areas/countries we need to be alert to though. Catch it early, not as we did with Hitler.
Hear! Hear!
Wonderful. I’ll never forget the intensity of my first experience of witnessing a Merlin starting. A Mk IX Supermarine Spitfire at the Newtownards airshow in the 80’s . I was about 12 years old , standing about 20 feet away and directly in line with the exhaust stubs. It felt like Zeus himself had descended on us.
'Descended'? ... farted? 😁
The starting engine procedure and the sound of this beast is absolutely amaizing...
Gorgeous! It *is* an effing Rolls-Royce! Back in the day Rolls sold the chassis *only* and you took it to the coach builder of your choice and they built what you wanted.
Jay isn't just a car guy - he's a visionary. And this car is magnificent.
Ace my grandad was cheif engineer raf 40, 45 Harold thrall sadly he passed away few months back, bless him, thank you so much Jay. Willy.
what a stunning piece of motoring sculpture and engineering
5:20 you can hear his voice getting shaking talking about it. it really means a lot to him. jay seems like one of the few good hollywood celebrities left.
This guy knows how to have fun and enjoy a passion ..Merlin great classic engines 👍🏼⏰
Mick Rice 🍛 get a life numb nuts 🥜
Mick Rice Jay is a legend !
I like that Jay decided to have the steering on the right side. Very British. It is a tribute to teh love and level of attention that went into the car. Well done. Hat off.
Thanks, Jay, your tribute honoring the young men who fought for us during WW2 w/ many perishing on D-Day, June 6th, 1944, and you've mounted upon the valve cover of this beautiful '34 Merlin military engine caused my eyes to well-up, my face became flush, and my chest and heart filled with emotion ( some call that crying). I just can't say enough how much a guy such as myself, in his 60th year, appreciates your choice of methods for giving back. I think what you have done and continue to do is quite unique, building a sort of historical timeline of automotive manufacturing with inflection points expressing advances in engineering along with conceptual innovation that has been such a part of world car production. Your contribution to that history also teaches and informs us as to the excitement about the more visceral aspects of acceleration, stopping, handling, craftsmanship, etc., offered to a greater or lesser degree by each machine's design and purpose. I love what you do Jay, thank you for sharing these treasures, always! Nobody else does what you do, please, please continue on car-maestro!
It saddens me that if i was born in the 1920's i would probably have fought 'Uncle Joe's' tyranny in the east, and i would have been demonized for it by history, regardless of the monstrous atrocities perpetrated in the name of bolshevism.
I absolutely love and admire Jay's passion for anything automotive... And quite humble with it all too.
Rolls should send Jay a sterling silver flying lady Spirit of Ecstasy as a peace offering.
I was going to say something like this. How could Rolls Royce NOT want a Spirit of Ecstasy on the front of this?
@@luckie79 - you'd be surprised - I would think they'd actually love to get behind this. The company is a bit different now doing things like the Black Badge range... I'd love to see RR actually give it the thumbs up to badge it properly.
Huh? You think Rolls Royce kowtows to hobbyists?
@Jason Bouphasavanh Randomly bashing on hipsters is such a hipster thing to do. RR is run by a stereotypical uptight Bavarian.
The car is unique so it deserves a unique piece on the radiator. Not a series made emblem.
Why would you want it to look like something that it is not? By that I do not mean to say that one is ‘better’ than the other, just that they are different.
That plaque and the sentiment behind it was touching. Nice.
I wish I had a cool Grandfather like Jay Leno
I wish i had a grandfather 😢
@Delta Fox 🙂
Well, he's the end of his line.....It's kinda sad that no children or grandchildren of Jay's will carry the torch or maintain the name and collection when he's gone.
He’s a bit a grandfather to all of us now, what a role model.
How do you know Jay Leno had a cool grandfather?
I've watched this episode 3 times now. Jay is a fantastic human being aside from being a truly great collector and custodian of all these vehicles. I really like this guy. Late night TV still hasn't recovered since he left. It was the end of an era.
I've watched a lot of these episodes over the years, and this is probably my favorite. Jay has such a reverence for the subject matter, and his deep respect for the design, engineering and execution, as well as the WWII history behind this engine, make for a deeply interesting story. Why would a guy spend three fortunes redesigning and rebuilding a car he'll only drive a couple of times a year? LOVE, pure and simple...
It’s not just the art and the engineering, it’s the stories that Jay adds that makes this series so special.
The paint on this car is fantastic.
I have to say you sir are a true enthusiast. This was a huge undertaking and you and your team pulled it off with flying colours. Thank you for a great video and the story of the build. All the best from England 👍
A work of art, and wonderful that the Merlin was one of those built at Hillington in Glasgow. Your eye for history and detail is a delight, Jay. I love the way your team are more scientists than mechanics!
Best wishes from Scotland!
Oh crikey, for an Englishman to see and hear a Merlin engine its goosebumps time. Amazing, Jay, thank you so so much.
This is the most impressive car I've ever seen or heard. It is absolutely beautiful!
I also love the “cockpit” rake, like the stance of a tail dragger airplane.
Yeah come to think of it..
I teared up watchin this..Leno is class. When us Limeys and you Yanks get together, we create magic.
"Taxiing" - Jay talks about the feel of this awesome machine. I flew the F-15, and in IDLE, on a long taxiway, the aircraft would accelerate to 80 knots, 90 mph, or more. We were constantly on the brakes to keep it in check. The power was insane. No parking brake. Holding short for a while, your legs got quivery from simply keeping the aircraft from moving. I appreciate the men who do this sort of work. Jay Leno has my respect; so refreshing from other "stars".
Jay, please keep sharing your own collection with us. 👍
Thanks Jay have been waiting for this one.. what a great car!!
Incredible work by Jay's team. There's nothing like the sound of a Merlin, even normally aspirated. I was at an air race decades ago, and most of the planes were Merlin powered. The sound of them coming around the pylons was something I've never forgotten.
For a Merlin aircraft engine you need a specially built truck gear box with specially tough clutch , cardan axle, differential and all. You did it and the results are amazing! Thanks.
Four Merlins flew over my house yesterday. Fantastic sound and you can hear them coming long before you see the Lancaster.
I too have seen the Lancaster flying too, but it was in company of a Hurricane and Spitfire in the summer of 81 . I was on holiday in the Isle of Wight, and the three aeroplanes flew about 100 - 200 feet above the beach. Time n people stopped still as the air was ripped apart by the sound of 6 Merlin's and they banked over the bay with the sun reflecting on glass cockpit covers. And then in the 90's was lucky to work at Bham international airport, there was a single Supermarine Spitfire practising manouvers over the airport. You could hear the engine inside the building!!! It climbed and turned and flew gracefully and even did a Victory Roll. Awesome Sunday never forgotten, if I had the money I'd fly in the twin seat spitfire.
That startup is one of the best things ever...thanks for being such an enthusiast Jay and well done to Jim and the rest of your crew...awesome.
I would LOVE to start a car like that! Switch, switch, switch, click, button, crank start! AWESOME!
It can be done, just rewire your ignition, fuel pumps, starter and ecu to all need seperate switches to energize.
Purchase a Four Engine prop Airplane.
Get an old German patrol boat! The Mercedes Diesels where very good at that and you could have two of them!
"...makes it hard to steal." lol
what a beautiful engine. engineering at its finest.
Love it Jay, wonderful car, beautiful story and thanks for the acknowledgement of our brave servicemen. Kia kaha.
All I can say is, Jay is a class act, I always watched him on the tonight show and still like everything he does, his wife is also a classy person. thanks Jay.
"it was built to fight tyranny" - love it
We need that today...Let's Go Brandon!!!
What a huge effort went into this engine to fight tyranny . We need it again now to show Putin how to behave.
@@justaskmeiknow5584 … the tyrant of the moment is the leader of the Jan 6th insurrection - Donald J Trump…
@@George.Andrews. you forget about Americans in Iraq bombing hospitals for 20 years just cause 2 buildings were attacked....but of course Americans always are allergic remembering their war crimes even while they still doing them
@@wellnesportstore9519 am I American?
WORK OF ART THE WHOLE CAR . WELL DONE BOYS
Absolutely one of the most beautiful vehicles with an amazing history. Thank you Jay Leno for keeping our history alive
Incredible! I am so appreciative that you preserve and engineer these cars to bring new life to them and keep them going.
Rolls Royce never published the power output of their car engines- all they would say is that it was *"adequate".*
Wonderful car to see and hear- it makes me proud to be British..! Thank you for sharing this with us Jay- a true gentleman and a car enthusiast as well.
My hat goes off to the true craftsman that built the entire car. Beautiful!
That’s a thing of beauty. Thanks for sharing. My great grandfather worked at the factory where the engine was made
Great car Jay as a Glaswegian nice to hear your mum hailed from there. My mother helped build aircraft parts during the war in Glasgow as a turner. You are right we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all who helped the war effort and to you Americans without whom the war would not have been won.
I can't help myself but " back in the day" is one of my favorite Jay Leno quotes
Jay not only drives his cars but is knowledgeable about them. He knows a lot about cars. Enough to where I learn things about cars listening to him. Jay is a legend!!
Exquisite piece of engineering your crew built there, Jay.
The proportions are just about perfect.
@@AmericasChoice
Yes they sure are.
@@3374jj Jay is lucky to have those guys.
Thank you so much Mr. Leno. My father used to tell me stories of how wonderful the Merlin engine was in his P-40 Warhawk. he was a fighter pilot in the Pacific theater with the US army air corps, stationed in New Guinea.
COOL
Those would have been F or Ls as all the rest used Allisons.
The P-40 had a Allison engine.
ROBERT HOGUE not the F and L variants, they used a Merlin 13 engine that gave them an effective ceiling of 20 Angels. Guys would strip out two of the 50 cals and the wing fuel tanks to make faster birds and pounce enemies in a diving attack knowing nothing could chase them down. They were hot planes
@@johnbeauvais3159 thank you for correcting me. Now I know more!
That is a beautiful car, powered by, in my opinion, the greatest internal combustion engine ever built.
Car and engine are both as much art as machine, and are a terrific tribute to the men and women who built, and later flew, the numerous aircraft powered by the mighty Merlin.
Jay, few people ever speak of the incredible purpose we all took on hands to win that war. I enlisted in the Marines in 75 simply because someone has to serve or we all fail. I've long enjoyed your "garage" sharing, I own a few vehicles in common with you, a Triumph from the seventies, a couple harleys, one I built from scratch, all new in 95, about thirty bikes in fifty years, dozens of cars, trucks, and bikes, moving through the states as a marine for two decades. You are an inspiration to so many of us who love, live and breath engines, many of us pulled into it by war. I would give a lot to have a cup of coffee or three, and good conversation over engines. That is perhaps the first time I've ever seen that "special magneto". I've had a magneto on a TR6R, and a couple Harley's with maggies, never seen one that "throws a shower of sparks". I have had a "trembler coil" that made a shower of sparks, but that was substantially different. Thanks for all you do for us "gearheads". I love the Dana 60 axle, I had an old GMC truck with the same rear end, forty years ago, that truck was simply bulletproof. I sold it in Hawaii, because my wife couldn't handle the clutch while I was deployed. Best truck I ever had. 79 GMC, four bolt 350, top loading four speed. I got to watch a few Merlins in aircraft back in the early seventies, flying out of Cherry Point, NC. A few airshows at the bicentennial. One of the consistencies you've given us is the constant reminder of "how we became the manufacturing powerhouse we once were. I've been enjoying your expositions as few other reminders of what we did in those decades.
I love all these classics Jay has.... great taste mate! I like his kindness and the tribute to those lost in wartime too. Jay is a nice man. No doubt about it.
600 RPM at 60+ MPH makes this my favorite car ever. This is so awesome. This would tow better than any factory truck on the road today, with 1700 ft/lbs of torque and 1000hp.
No it wouldn't only reason it isn't struggling is becouse of how big the engien is compared to the chassis
If you could afford the gas to drive it. I spoke with a pilot who was flying a P-51 at an airshow, back in the 1990's; his comment about fuel economy was, it took about $150 worth of high octane avgas just for startup and taxi to the runway. Mercy, the sound of these big V-12's is intoxicating, I could listen to that car run all day.
You can't compare something as unique and beautiful as this to a jumped-up farm vehicle
@@DeereX748 Holy cow! That's a ton of fuel!! I have to imagine, with turning only about 600rpms, with those skinny tires, at 45 or 60 mph, it's gotta get at least 10 mpg? I'd love to know what the actual gas mileage is? My hope is that one day, when politics change, we will be allowed to retrofit old carbureted engines with a water fuel system. It might be 30 years until we are allowed to do that, but it would make old cars even more valuable. The very first ICE engine ever built, ran on electrolyzed water. There was a man in New Zealand in 2008, that seemed to be driving his motorcycle on a type of homemade hydrogen peroxide.
That's a genuine piece of art you built Jay... Please do get that brake booster in there as I'm sure you'll feel more relaxed and assured. Also, you weren't kidding when you said that the transmission is slung low. I can't believe how close those skid rails are to the ground. I guess you have to be very careful and on the lookout for any manholes that are even slightly above street grade. Love your show and I can't get enough. Please don't ever stop making them.
And manhole covers askew. Ask George Russell of Williams F1.
Yes I agree, those skid rails must give only 3 to 5 inches clearance ? When I observed that it made me wonder if it would be practical to rotate the engine a few degrees but I realize it is a unusually complex engine and it could further complicate configuring the oil cooling lines and fuel lines and pumps. But the main reason I would be loath to do it is it would alter the beautiful symmetry of the engine compartment.
Jay - you’re a champ. Thank you for consistently remembering the patriots that gave their lives for our continued opportunity at freedom.
Oh man what a beautiful car, gotta love aircraft engines on cars! This show really made me appreciate old cars, and especially cars like this. Thank you again Jay for your work on cars. JLG is the best car show, ever.
Stunning, so emotive to us Brits ❤️❤️❤️
I could hear Mr. Leno talk all day.
He is a real nerd with a great passion, love these videos.
Keep it up Mr. Leno :)
That's the best looking Merlin/Meteor special I've seen by a country mile. Touching tribute to the D-Day GI too.
Jim Hall - a great name in motor sport and in jazz guitar. This particular Jim Hall stands on his own as a very fine engineer.
What a beautiful car, gorgeous engine and a glorious sound. Perfection!
My father was bomb-aimer (462 Squadron) in a Handley Paige Halifax (LW440 Z5B) and flew 32 missions in that same aircraft in WWII, and came home to raise a family.
Imagine, the Halifax had four of these beautiful engines, so in a 1000 bomber raid there’d be 4000 of these engined roaring in one huge formation.
Thank you for your father's service.
Amazing story 👍🏻
In a 1000 bomber raid there would be also a lot of Bristol Hercules engines (Lancaster Mk II and Short Stirlings and Halifax B.III) running around. So far from 4000 merlins around.
Btw, your fathers Halifax ran on Bristol Hercules engines, not merlins.
Jay leno such class putting a tribute to a veteran he never met on his car says alot about what a great American icon he is.
This car is amazing thank you Jay 1000hp of elegance and cool tribute..
The sound of that engine is amazing...
"The hand magneto makes it harder to steal". Jay, always the comedian.
Maybe not after seeing this video...
Youi don't need a key!
For this, if for nothing else, I love Jay Leno.
That thing is so incredibly beautiful in every possible way, which goes far beyond just how it looks.