My grandfather was a plant manager at Highland Park his entire career. We lived in Ferndale, and I recall him stopping by after work every so often to visit my mom and me. He was a tall gentleman who always wore a suit and tie, and overcoat, and a hat with some kind of small feather in the band. He always drove a new Continental. My father worked at the plant too and dressed almost exactly like his father in law. In the 1940’s, my grandfather bought a house in Ferndale, but in the 60’s, lived in a large apartment in Dearborn. When Highland Park had “family day”, my dad would take me down to meet grandpa, see his office, meet his secretary, and somebody who worked for him would hoist me up on his shoulders and give me a tour of the plant, pointing everything of interest out to me. My grandfather even let me sit on one of the tractors. It was always a fun day. I remember one year, my grandfather came by to pick me up and drive me somewhere. He wasn’t driving his Lincoln. He had a new, bright red Mustang with white interior. I loved the car so much that the following Christmas, he came by our house with his Christmas gift for me. It was a shiny, new Mustang pedal car. He didn’t last too long driving the Mustang. He never got used to how the Mustang drove comparing it to his Lincoln. One year he came by to pick my dad and I up for a special treat. He had company box seats at Tiger Stadium and picked us up, and drove us downtown for my first Tiger game. I always enjoyed the special perks that came from my grandpa and father working at Ford, especially the yellow Ford pencils I had the start of every school year. My grandpa retired in 1976. That year he was driving a fully loaded, dark green, Thunderbird. I had always admired a small trophy he had on his desk. It was a Continental hood ornament, standing on a square of black marble. He gave it to me the next time I saw him after he retired. I know I still have it, but it’s in a box somewhere after 2 moves, and settling here in Atlanta. I’m sad to say my husband and I no longer drive Ford vehicles. We did for over 20 years until Ford stopped building cars. Now we have a Mazda and a VW. It’s a little sad. Somewhat like that shag carpeting you couldn’t have paid me to walk on.

It’s sad to see something like this left to rot. Something like this should’ve been preserved and turned into a museum

I lived in Detroit in the 50's as a boy. My father was an engineer for GM from 1927 to 1960. Detroit was a great place then and it is truly sad to see how far the city and area has fallen.

This truly breaks my heart to see this not a museum, it’s just frustrating that we don’t appreciate the beauty of our history and it’s buildings.

Cool stuff... I'm a third generation Ford employee. My late grandfather worked at the Highland Park plant. My Father worked at the Rouge Plant and I had the privilege to work for Ford at the Livonia Plant. Thanks Derek

My grandmother was a playmate of Edsel Ford. Her parents were good friends with the Ford family. My great grandfather owned the brick company and supplied brick for the factories to be built. Very cool... 🤙.... perfect

I was born in Dearborn in 1946 and my Dad graduated from Henry Ford Trade school in 1938, My Gradfather was a tool maker for Ford from 1913 and lived a block from where the Ford Rotunda used to be. And it is a shame that all of this that made Detroit Great at one time is all lost, what a great thing that you guys got to see, thanks for sharing it, thank you, you made my Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 videos of Derek in 1 day??? What a time to be alive! Love the content Derek!

I worked at Toledo South Assembly Plant in the oldest auto plant still operating until it was closed in 2006 . It began operations in 1910 and Willys-Overland at one time was the 2nd largest car maker in the USA . I miss the old plant when I watch this video , lot of hard work and sweat happened in these plants .

Getting to explore abandoned building in general is super cool but the original Ford office complex… 🤯😎 Thanks Derek for bringing us all along for the experience of a lifetime!!

It's too bad that place was allowed to fall into such disrepair. Even though it was for industrial purposes some of the architecture was beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us Derek.

I worked in Highland Park for years. I’ve been looking at that old ruin for over 50 years. Why FoMoCo decided to abandon this symbol of their mighty history is beyond my comprehension. They have poured millions into an old train station downtown and ignored their own legacy. Highland Park is an urban ruin and has no money to save this treasure. Crazy old Henry put the world on wheels, largely from this plant. I weep for all the old places that once defined Detroit and are now lost. This place could be saved. Sadly no one will find the cash to do it and another link to our heritage will be lost. My home town ain’t what it used to be.

Derek: Too cool! My Grandpa worked there twice! First in 1925, in the interior shop making seats, until he got laid off during the Depression. Then later, got rehired when Ford had it's own "Fire Dept." On the plant grounds. Then got laid off in 1958, when they phased that out. Thanks for doing this video. I'm 72 now, but still have photos of me sitting in the driver's seat of an old ladder truck, that Grandpa used to drive, he took. Thanks, Joe Bliss, Plymouth, Mi

I love Ford, their history and their vehicles. We have five right now and love them all. Thanks Henry ! you were amazing and I appreciate you every day!

I worked 15 years on a Ford assembly line and loved every minute of it and this breaks my heart to see how dilapidated this historic building has become.We at Edison assembly plant we built the 49 mercy and Lincolns the Falcons,Mustangs,Pinto’s,Escorts,And finally the Ranger and Mazda B series trucks. Greatest American success story of all.Thanks for this video.Great channel also.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

A friend i have about 91 years old lives in Canton tells me her Dad was 2 offices down from Henry Fords in that building was always at the House in Dearborn along the river for all the parties, tons of stories. She talks about it like it was no big deal. Love it!

Being in the same office that henry ford spent every day in would be the most overwhelming and amazing experience that I can imagine.

The feeling of history in that building must be awesome. You try to imagine what it was like with all the people there walking around doing their various jobs. Walking in places where you know Henry Ford and Edsel Ford walked. That's crazy. I envy you Derek!

My mom started Ford Highland Park in 1953. She started in the basement in the gear and axel department. She said she worked in the pits. Leaving at end of shift she would come up the staircase . After working all day greasing gears and axels..she would be totally oiled down! Tired.. and filthy. Mom would see women coming down the stairs...I believe she said from the third floor. ...They looked like they were just coming to work!! Not leaving. Ha she asked Joe Peter's what those women did. ...Trim they were sewing machine operators! Well that was not to hard to figure out...she retired at Utica trim as an amazing industrial sewer! 1986! So many stores she would tell me. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I did follow in her footsteps..Utica trim..to Chesterfield 1972-2002

Cool stuff Derek. My great-grandfather, Desire Van Hove, worked in that building. He was an inventor/engineer at Ford. He had 65 patents at Ford, including the sun visor, movable seat tracks, and the stitching in seats to hold the stuffing in place. I emailed the link of this video to my dad, who then shared the following with me. Yes, Grandpa (Desire) was in there. In fact, he had an office there, for several years. He was employed at L.A Young Spring and Wire and they supplied LOTS of stuff to Ford. So he actually had an office right there in the plant where he would work with the Ford Engineers on Seat Cushion Designs and the like. Later on, he told me, they came to him and asked for the keys to his car. He asked why, and they said if he was going to be selling stuff to Ford, he had better be driving a Ford product. At the time, he was very much a Studebacker owner. They took his keys, and when he left the plant that day, there was a Lincoln in the assigned parking place. Derek, thanks for letting me see a video of where my family used to work! Very special to me. Greg Van Hove

So much history in one building, enough to make a grown man shed a tear. So many goosebumps watching.

As always a great time with the vice grip family! DEREK for president!!!

Holy Crap! I am from the Detroit area, my Grandfather worked at Ford Motor under H-Ford Sr and the whole nine yards for 45 years. Geez this is amazing, why doesn't someone trick this out into a MUSEUM..!!? I'd go...

I've spent quite a fair bit of time running 911 calls in Highland Park, but never had the opportunity to check out the plant. Now, I'm "retired" from EMS and working as a contract employee for Ford. I'm excited to see this video and see a guy I admire walking around my "stomping grounds". Thank you Derek!

Mr. DEREK... what is all young males should aspire to be. An absolutely amazing Family man and human being..

As someone who loves history, id be absolutely speechless being there. What a treat to have a video walk through.

I’m listening to Henry Ford autobiography on audiobook, on my commute to work in a Ford truck. I’ve listened to this at least 3 times over. All controversies aside, Henry Ford was an extremely intelligent, fascinating individual. Thanks for making this!

Why isn’t this a museum? People from all over the world would love to come here and see this restored to its former glory.

Think of the lives this place supported. Sending kids to college , baseball games. Dreams. That and it changed the world.

Currently owning and building 3 vintage Ford trucks, an F1, F3 and a 70 F250 I found this video to be a real gem to view. Well done D. More like this please.

My great grandfather worked at that plant in the 1920s. I am a 4th generation Detroit auto worker. (Product designer at General Motors)

Great video Derek! A guy gets teary eyed thinking of all the history and life that once took place in that building,and to see it fall into such disrepair is sad. Too bad you couldn’t take that locker and some of the light fixtures to preserve them.

​So nice to see the history of America's manufacturing. Also anyone who has been and are in the military Thank you for your Service

I remember those big stand-alone office air conditioners, and the overhead ductwork. The heat was from those great steam radiators. Thank you for making this available for us to see. I've got examples of those 1940's fluorescent light fixtures that are seen overhead.

That was incredible to see!!! So much history! Thank you to you and your crew for taking us through this piece of Ford history! 🏆

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to show us this legendary plant. You guys are the best!

Recent newbie here. I'm so glad my brother turned me on to a guy. This feller's channel so wholesome, humorous, and educational. A guy's channel is not even close to reality tv. More like REAL TV. Only in videos. I really enjoyed this video as usual. I am a retired Ford parts man of 41 years. Thanks there feller.

My company did a job down the road from there (sketchy area). The main plant was super cool to see from the road. We ate lunch every day at the coney shop across the road from the plant. The coney shop was there from the start of the plant being open. They had pictures from the plant workers walking over to get food. Pretty cool history in that area.

I've made lots of deliveries to the buildings next to that a bunch. I've always wanted to see inside. Thanks for letting me take a look around ❤️

I was raised on Ford St off Woodward Ave... So dope that ur stopping thru... I'm a big fan

So cool you were in the birthplace of the automobile mass production for the people. Thanks for taking us along for the ride Mr Vice Grip.

That’s awesome you could almost feel the people walking past doing their jobs. I love that type of thing . Henry Ford washing his hands at that wash bay..

Raises the hair on the back of my neck watching as you went into Henry Fords office, All of the History, memories and industrial achievements as a Nation that took place in this building is beyond comprehension.

My grandfather was a WW2 vet who was responsible for transporting high level German POW's from the war zone to the U.S. Many years later I was born & since grandpa started working for Ford Mo Co in the 30's , he went back to Ford after the war . This was in Michigan. After he retired , he would take me to Fords River Rouge plant & we watched them build cars. Its closed now, but this was from the late 60's to mid 70's . That plant produced its own electricity , steel, glass , & everything that went into a vehicle at one time , but after WW2 several other plants were built as parts of the plant were idled or sold to other co. My favorite part was the engine plant & vehicle assembley... It was amazing how many vehicles were made in a day . Once built , they were loaded on trains & trucks & shipped to the dealers ... I've been to several Ford & GM plants thanks to grandpa , so I hope my memory serves me.. The Rouge was enormous at its peak & it was there that my grandpa was working for the war effort when he was drafted ... He always said , that he could've been exempted from serving because he was working a war plant job & he had 3 children at home..(married men with children who worked a war job rarely were called up) But he didnt say anything and went off to bootcamp older than most ...he felt it was his duty . While transporting a group of prisoners by truck in Belgium (I think it was Belgium) his vehicle was hit with artillary . The driver was killed as were several prisoners & American security . He was knocked unconscious & ejected out of the truck.. He woke up in a field hospital with a broken hip & leg along with multiple shrapnel wounds . After a year he was released from a stateside rehab facility . He went back to work at Ford in 1946 or 47 where his job was to monitor paint mixing & pumping it to the paint departments throughout the plant . Eventually his war wounds made it difficult for him to walk & he retired .. He lived to the age of 83 . I'll always remember the adventures he took me on... Another favorite was Greenfield Village in Dearborn Mi.. If you havent been , I recommend it..

From putting together Chevelles in a cold Midwestern garage to walking through Henry Ford's office, Derek has really done some awesome stuff. When I was younger, I used to pull up and wander through abandoned industrial buildings, though permission was optional, lol. What a trip through time.👍

This place should be a museum to Henry Ford's genius.

Derek, next time you get up to the Detroit area, take a trip to The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn Michigan. Ford built that in the 1920s as a tribute to American innovation and industrialization. Acres of original memorabilia. Great place to take the family too. I worked there way back in the day while in school. You can also take the Rouge factory tour where they build F series trucks amongst others.

I had the privelage of exploring two abandoned industrial office buildings from the 1930-1940 decade. The experience is eerie and fascinating. Both buildings looked like the workers just left - there were dirty coffee mugs on the desks, papers in the filing cabinets. I think its amazing that Derek got a chance to do this!

Exploring a place like that is an overwhelming experience. You can just feel the history hit you in the face. Thanks for sharing the tour with us.

After an 80 hour work week a new VG video is the perfect way to end the week

For me the best part of this vid was at minute 50 bringing the Model T home to where it was born gave me a lump in the throat very nice touch the present day merging with the past and how it fades into the shadows like it was going back into time ....well done and thank you

My father worked for Henry Ford in the early 1918. At this plant. Amazing

AWESOME TOUR AND HISTORY LESSON...MOPAR 4 EVER.

I was honestly very surprised at how emotional this made me. I was in my Ford Fiesta ST about a month ago when I got t-boned. My car was destroyed, but the last things it did were save my life and even call 911 for me. I know everybody's got their favorite brands, but that Ford will always have a very special place in my heart. Rest in peace, buddy, you were amazing.

I'm a current Ford employee at Kentucky Truck Plant. It's great seeing where it all started. Great content Derek.

I ride my bike past that facility at least once a month (in fact, two weeks ago about when you shot this) and I always wonder what it’s like inside, what it would’ve been like to work there, and why the hell it hasn’t been restored and repurposed. If Detroit is truly the motor city, then it should have a way to tell the story. Thank again the people who granted permission to go through that. It’s hard to tell which decay is from which era, but now I can stop wondering what’s in there.

Thank you for taking us through this part of history. I wouldn't have been able to see it otherwise.

Derek great video. My grandmother worked for John Dodge when he was on the board member and later for Henry Ford at the piquette plant before they built the Highland Park plant. She was one of Fords secretarys. I have a ton of pictures she had wish I could have sent some of them. They show the highland plant in its glory days pics of Ford and her when they had xmas parties new ears eve ect. She work at ford for over 38 years. She started at the Piquette plant when she was 17 years old.

One thought that crossed my mind when you mentioned think about all the people working was how most or maybe all of them have passed on by now, and this building still standing has some weird kind of way of keeping their memory and hard work alive. Great video, thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the tour. I enjoyed this very much. Sad to see the building in such condition... so much history. So thoughtfully produced too. Derek, you really do wonderful work.

One cannot overestimate the value of good roofs. Neat to see it even in rough shape. The area I'm from, a farming area, was littered with the remains of Model T's probably cranked out of the Highland Park plant. One potato farmer has a T from 1909, probably from the Piquette Plant, actually NOS because electric lights came out in the newer T's so the car sat at the dealership in town and never sold! It runs good, he starts it up from time to time, but it does wiggle a lot when running. Henry Ford, despite all of his flaws, did bring all of the right elements together at the right time, and one could imagine him perched high above in that office, conducting business. Thank you for the tour, it was a pleasure to see the actual building and office where he worked, hopefully in better shape in the future. 🚗 🌄😊

Being a FORD FAN all my life, and have owned and driven qwite a few in the last 55 yrs, that was really something, THANK YOU DEREK for sharing with us.

Always look forward to Friday night VGG videos!

This was GREAT!! When I was a kid, I used to love exploring all the old mills around here in central MA - there used to be a TON of them in the 80's. But this is even better - automotive history mixed in! I always knew that plant was big, but this really put it into scale. MASSIVE amounts of money Ford had - just mind blowing, to be able to construct all of that, then walk away from it a short time later. Impressive you guys found Mr. Ford's office!! How cool was that!?! I've been in quite a few old mills around here built in the late 1800's out of wood and brick alone, and they were all in pretty rough shape by the late 80's early 90's. That building there is a bit newer, but I can tell the construction is much more robust with the concrete and steel. It's in much better shape than many of the old mills I've been through. I hope the owner leaves these buildings up! Some AMAZING history there!! Thanks for taking us along, brother. 👍😎👍

I love videos like this, I wish this building could be restored and used and too show for future generations to see. This beautiful building is a true American piece of history that needs to be preserved.

My eyes always sweat with respect when it comes to Henry Ford . Good intro Derek and the music w/ the drone shots 😢 Once in a life time thing right there 1:42 that will never happen again . So lucky . Truly blessed, You and your family deserve it .❤

I'm 51, that's way past my bedtime. I'll watch it with my morning coffee 🤟😊

How incredible. Such an important part not only of history but innovation. Thank you so much for sharing!

I wish the Henry Ford museum would take whats left of the Ford plant and renovate it too. FANTASTIC video guys.

It's always nice to get a official ok and a tour guide for the building vs the creeping around trying not to get cought videos and possibly a actual definition for spicific areas like that photo comparison of Henry's offices

Oh my goodness Derrik and family! You've outdone 1:57 in when you drive that ford car into the building gave me absolute chills! Thank you so much! Rock on!

Dude that was just awesome I bet you could almost hear the people working and all the machinery running truly a privilege to be able to explore that old plant .

Very cool! Thanks for the tour.

We couldn't have a better host. ....just don't quit your day job. .......because we really love the things you do and the places you take us.

For a building that Carry’s so much history and pride, you’d think it would be cared for, it’s a damn shame that it won’t be around soon

This is so cool Derek. Incredible stuff. You always do such a good job with the places your go. You treat everything with respect and foreknowledge that it deserves.

1:44 was the money shot… like an old friend came to visit his home town.. awesome!!!!

Wowzers this is after the model a episode of roadworthy rescues nice

Now this is great content, you need to be nominated for an award, much much better then any thing on tv, worked in Detroit area since mid 80s, very rich in history you could put together many hours at Rouge complex R&D Center so many others. Hey, good job Mr. D.

Just down the road and around the corner is the site of the original Chrysler HQ and engineering complex, also in Highland Park, where I worked from 1988-91, and still visited regularly until about 1997, when we were still running engine durability testing dynamometers, before the dyno lab built out was complete in the new Auburn Hills complex.

Loved this exploration - so much history. Thanks for sharing!

Love these educational vlogs. Such a historic facility. I’m surprised they haven restored this place into a museum and rental office building.

Was wondering when/if this was going to get published. Nice work, Derek! Was memorable to walk through there with you. I'll never forget that week in Detroit! Thank you.

Enjoyed it. Thanks for taking us along.

Crazy you stopped through, I live two blocks away. Hope you enjoyed the visit.

Wow that's awesome I'm born and raised in Highland Park Mi

If I could give you a million thumbs up I would!!! I was born on the South West side of the D!!! And for you to take me on a tour of this place is phenomenal!!!! To be standing in the same room as Henry Ford himself is incredible!!! Thank you for the wonderful tour bud!! Loved every minute!!!

I attended elementary school in Highland Park, as a class we asked Ford to clean the area up. In return they gifted our school a new speaker system and internships for everyone when we graduated from high school. I worked at the Ford Land Development in Dearborn for my internship.

I felt that video.. Such a dam shame and so jealous you experienced that building. What an amazing piece of history that shaped our world.

Thanks for taking us on the trip down memory lane, showing us the old Ford plant and sharing its history. Well done Derek.

This was actually pretty cool. I imagine it wouldn't take much research to find out who's offices were connected to Ford's office. Thanks for sharing the videos with us all.

Crazy how things have changed just in our lifetime. I’m currently on the hunt for a ’33 or ’34 Ford hot rod so this is pretty cool to see. Lots of asbestos and lead paint in that building.

Love the tour....just wish a landmark of this gratitude would have been preserved as a historical building for tours n stuff. Thank you for taking the time n taking us along my man 🙂

Derek should be every guy that's in heres role model. An absolutely wonderful human being. Derek, I hold 100% up most respect for you sir. Thank you for teaching and showing me how I need to raise my family once I have one because I have not had the opportunity In my life to have a positive male role model. Thank you sir. 🙏

Thanks for bringing us along on this ride. As for the building, consider that Michigan could be bitterly cold in the winter. Along with that came all the difficulties of heating a large building (with tall ceilings and open stairwells) to temperatures suitable for conducting professional business transactions. That would explain the vestibules and the many partitioned spaces. As for the private bathroom, I have only one thing to add. "Henry Ford sat here."

Crossing 2 of my favorite things on KZfaq....VGG and abandoned explore. Perfict!

This video is so cool I'm a 4th generation bleeding BLUE I've always wanted to tour all the birth place of the incredible 💙 FORD FAMILY, & it would be awesome if the FAMILY could or would restore it back to its wonderful glory 🥲 great footage THANKS A MILLION guys.

Amazing piece of history. Wow. Thank you for this!

this is so awesome. hard to fathom how that can just be in a state like this and this isn't a museum yet. That is the one of the cradles of modern civilization. Thanks for the tour. so cool. And nice music choice in the beginning, always like your taste, no matter if it's metal, country or other.

Really great content that you were able to provide. Ive been fascinated with Ford, after owning and restorations of the brands cars, trucks, and tractors most of my life. 1920 FORDSON , 1953 F350, 1966 Fairlane, 1968 F100. This video is one of your best “serious” ones.