Home » Here’s How Jay Leno Reacted When I Told Him What I Drive

Here’s How Jay Leno Reacted When I Told Him What I Drive

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Jay Leno is a huge fan of “Noble Failures” — cars that, in some ways, were too good for their time, and just flamed out. The BMW i3 is a perfect example of such a car, so when I told Jay about my daily-driver during a one-on-one chat, I figured he’d be a fan. I was wrong — well, sort of.

While helping me conduct research ahead of my interview with Jay Leno last week (and no, I’m not just going to casually mention that I got to interview Jay Leno — I was completely amped and I can’t wait to tell you more about it) my fiancee Elise stumbled upon an amazing writeup by Beverly Hills Courier. Writer Lisa Friedman Bloch spent the day with two automotive legends Jay Leno and Bruce Meyer, and in her brilliant many-thousand-word writeup I noticed this nugget:

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While Bruce is drawn to the aesthetic component of automobiles, Jay is drawn to the cars he finds different, interesting or ahead of their time. He’s particularly interested in “noble failures.”

Autopian cofounder Jason Torchinsky and I have for years talked about this category of car, though we call it “lovable losers.” They’re good, often well-engineered vehicles, but ones that — for one reason or another (often styling or cost) — failed spectacularly in the marketplace. The Beverly Hills Courier article goes on to give Leno’s definition of a “noble failure”:

“Like the Duesenberg, it was a much better car than it needed to be,” Jay says.

Produced during the Depression, it was too expensive of a car, over-engineered and overpowered for its time. The company was owned by E.L. Cord, another Beverly Hills resident. Jay has many Duesenbergs; Bruce owns one as well. Both enthusiasts have received several awards for their beautiful cars.

Jay explains, “That’s the trouble with a lot of these things. Some people don’t make it up to any standard. And some people make it so good and are perfectionists, they never get them into production.”He cites the Mustang as an example, “It’s a sexy body on a Ford Falcon. It didn’t need independent suspension for the first 25 years because nobody cared. Just make it look sharp. It’s kind of cool. It’s affordable. It was a huge success.”

Jay is a literal world-expert on the automotive history, and that was clear during our chat. Indeed, there are so many examples throughout history that back up the notion that KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) is often the best way forward, and that overcomplicating automotive design often is not.

My BMW i3 is probably the ultimate example of a modern-day Noble Failure. It was a state-of-the-art carbon fiber, suicide door-equipped range-extended electric car with plastic body panels and an interior made of olive leaf-died leather and a sustainable material called “kenaf.” The i3 was by all accounts a moonshot, and yet, it was without question a complete and utter failure in the U.S., selling in modest numbers, and even only then thanks to steep discounts.

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Needless to say, as a car enthusiast who loves Noble Failures, I’m obsessed:

But I’m in the minority, here, as many “noble failure” fans tend to be. So I wasn’t surprised that when I told Jay what I drove, he responded with:

 

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“Uh, uh, ohhhhh,” he said, almost grimacing, placing his hand to his mouth to jokingly hide his fake-disgust:

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Jay isn’t a huge fan of my beloved i3. And I totally get it; in many folks’ eyes, it is hideous. Jay told me he doesn’t understand BMW’s general styling trends, of late. “It looks a little…I have to admit I am somewhat perplexed by BMW’s styling…now they have almost…it looks like a Hupmobile sucking a lemon… I don’t get it!”

Jay also isn’t a fan of wood dashes — he prefers to see mechanical gauges, which I agree with wholeheartedly. Jay loves looking at the mechanical intricacies of automobiles, and my BMW certainly doesn’t let you do that unless you’re peeking under the rear floor or at the carbon fiber in the door jambs.

“Your car…that was probably more expensive than it needed to be, too,” Jay queried, demonstrating to me that he truly is a car nut who loves learning about any and all cars, whether they’re his cup of tea or not. I replied with an affirmative; the car was hilariously overpriced in Americans’ eyes. Could you make an argument that a car that advanced should be expensive? Sure, but American shoppers don’t spend big money on small luxury cars. They never have.

Jay agrees. “For American manufacturers, it costs the same amount of money to make a small car as it does a big car. It’s a bit like a TV show; why make a half hour show, when for a few dollars more, you can do an hour show and get twice as much revenue.”

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Jay finished our little chat about my i3 telling me that, while he thinks the car is ugly, he finds it interesting. “No, it’s interesting, and it’ll probably be a collectable car, but sadly you’ll long be dead…sadly!”

Oh well, there goes my plan of retiring on the sale of my “Holy Grail” BMW i3!

Anyway, this was just a tiny part of my chat with Jay Leno, for which I am immensely grateful. I was there to help promote “Jay Leno’s Garage” on RIG TV. Here are some bullet points that I was asked to communicate to you, dear readers, about the new Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channel:

  • Jay Leno’s Garage” is now streaming on RIG TV.

  • New episodes stream weekly from 8 to 10 am and pm time slot.
  • This is the first for a FAST Channel, that YouTube content has been reformatted for TV.
  • RIG TV originally launched in April on Roku.
  • In addition to Roku, new episodes of “Jay Leno’s Garage” will be available on FreeveeFubo, Google TV, Sling TV and Plex on RIG TV.
  • RIG TV is from Fremantle’s Original Productions studio, the creators of “Jay Leno’s Garage” in addition to shows such as “Deadliest Catch” and “Bering Sea Gold,” showcasing the toughest jobs on earth.
  • “Jay Leno’s Garage” enjoyed seven successful seasons on broadcast TV, captivating audiences with its in-depth exploration of all thing’s cars, automotive culture and state of the art technology. The show eventually found a new life on YouTube, where it has become a favorite among car enthusiasts. Now, for the first time, these YouTube episodes will make their way to TV.

It turns out, you can watch shows just like you used to watch TV, except on your computer. Here’s the ROKU link.

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Anyway, more little nuggets from my talk with Jay coming soon. It was epic.

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Defenestrator
Defenestrator
13 days ago

Is the RIG TV player trying to imitate broadcast TV or something? No scrubber, no pause, no time display. Just a video feed that can’t be seeked through with no way to tell if the sequence of ads you’re watching is part of the main content, or if the main content will be making an appearance at some point? I’d like to watch the actual DT/Leno segment, but this is ridiculous.

Day One Dave
Day One Dave
15 days ago

Gauges and wood dashes… why not both???

Attila the Hatchback
Attila the Hatchback
15 days ago

I’d say the i3 was a test platform for various technology bets: low cost carbon fiber structural elements, an electric drivetrain design, low(er) environmental impact interior materials, etc. BMW never wanted to sell this in high volume — they wanted to see if these technologies were worth further investment and/or were acceptable to customers. The carbon fiber monocoque, for example, didn’t work out and essentially got cancelled rather than appearing in something like the i4.

Its either that or BMW engineers suck and thought they could make the i3 a practical car design, and were then blown out of the water by the Chevy Bolt and nuked from orbit by the Tesla Model 3.

Nlpnt
Nlpnt
15 days ago

I’m sorry but I couldn’t see that “Hear me out” on the top line without thinking of SNL’s Lonely Island comeback “Sushi Glory Hole” sketch from last week.

Nick Fortes
Nick Fortes
16 days ago

One thing is clear, Jay gets out in the sun more than David does. Maybe his Italian heritage helps as well

Joke #119!
Joke #119!
16 days ago

Did you relay my proposal to rent his cars for about a week each if I win the lottery?

MiniDave
MiniDave
16 days ago

Wow, Jay is really starting to look his age……and he’s lost a lot of weight.

Ron Gartner
Ron Gartner
16 days ago
Reply to  MiniDave

I made the same comment on Oppo and was reminded that he’s old, went through a fire, and currently has a wife with dementia. I’m sure he’s been busy dealing with all of that, plus the TV show and interviews.

Vic Vinegar
Vic Vinegar
15 days ago
Reply to  MiniDave

He is 74, it seems like at some point people kind of hit the wall and look “old” seemingly overnight.

Beto O'Kitty
Beto O'Kitty
16 days ago

Wow. I didn’t know Letterman was such a car guy!

Beto O'Kitty
Beto O'Kitty
16 days ago
Reply to  Beto O'Kitty

Oh it’s Jay Leno. Sorry for the failure, I was thinking of donuts.

The Pigeon
The Pigeon
16 days ago
Reply to  Beto O'Kitty

Letterman does have a Paul Newman Volvo, though. And he’s a part owner of a racing team (Rahal Letterman Lanigan)

Last edited 16 days ago by The Pigeon
Dave
Dave
16 days ago

If you read the ingredients of the i3, it might sound like a supercar. Unfortunately those weird ass tires cost the same as super car tires.

AlterId
AlterId
16 days ago

my fiancee Elise

And who is this? You really have gone far, far too Hollywood if you’ve already met and proposed to some other woman whose name actually is Elise. Have you broken the news to Elise (not her real name)? We all knew she was too good for you, and I hope she realizes soon that she’s well rid of you. And while Elise (which is her real name) does have some responsibility for this mess if she knew you were taken (and it would not surprise me if she did not and still does not), I don’t wish her any heartbreak when you inevitably cast her aside for some new carbon fiber-framed floozie.

Shame on you!

Tarragon
Tarragon
16 days ago
Reply to  AlterId

Hmmm, I understood that “(not her real name)” was her family name. You know Elise (not her real name) of the New Hampshire (not her real name)s.

Lotsofchops
Lotsofchops
16 days ago
Reply to  Tarragon

The (not her real name)s have been hiding in the shadows too long, I say!

Joke #119!
Joke #119!
16 days ago
Reply to  Lotsofchops

Well, they do control the weather…

Lotsofchops
Lotsofchops
16 days ago
Reply to  Joke #119!

I hear they’re so powerful, the Sacklers are actually a front for them.

Stryker_T
Stryker_T
16 days ago
Reply to  AlterId

you had me in the first half. lol

Peter Andruskiewicz
Peter Andruskiewicz
15 days ago
Reply to  AlterId

Haven’t you read the style guide for the Autopian? They put peoples last names in parenthesis if the last name contains a space! Just like Carlos (pictured above) and Elise (not her real name)

Freelivin2713
Freelivin2713
15 days ago
Reply to  AlterId

That’s his “car” fiancee…DT just got a Lotus Elise…ha ha

Double Wide Harvey Park
Double Wide Harvey Park
16 days ago

Is Jay OK? He’s looking fit and skinny, but he’s never been fit and skinny, so I’m wondering.

Rommi
Rommi
16 days ago

He might be trying to take better care of himself after he lit his face on fire. And/Or ozempic

Jesus Chrysler drives a Dodge
Jesus Chrysler drives a Dodge
16 days ago

Yikes, Jay looks like he’s got some hard miles on him recently. I know he’s having a rough go with his wife’s medical issues, that takes a toll. Plus the whole “set himself on fire” thing.

I’d kill to have his hairline at that age though!

Dodsworth
Dodsworth
16 days ago

You should be honored. Apparently he put on his best shirt for you.

Nsane In The MembraNe
Nsane In The MembraNe
17 days ago

I feel like my car has noble failure potential. I (and many others) think it’s great but it was a total flop sales wise. Everyone wanted an Elantra or Veloster N and the Kona N was more or less written off as ridiculous. Fortunately I am ridiculous so it suits me perfectly.

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
17 days ago

You interview a world famous celebrity and true car lover, who looks a lot like my dad, and you talk about your car? Glad to hear there is more to come. A suggestion in an interview the celebrity should talk more than the host.

Nlpnt
Nlpnt
16 days ago

I suspect what’s linked above is just the teaser.

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
15 days ago
Reply to  Nlpnt

As was mentioned in the article and my comment

AlterId
AlterId
16 days ago
Reply to  David Tracy

It’s just a chat between two car guys. It doesn’t have to be weird.

Unless one of them is Jason, in which case it most definitely does.

Freelivin2713
Freelivin2713
15 days ago
Reply to  AlterId

Yeah, especially when the chainsaw comes out…that’s not weird though, that’s fun! Halloween is coming soon anyway

Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
16 days ago
Reply to  David Tracy

It’s the Autopian! It should be at least a little weird.

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
15 days ago
Reply to  David Tracy

I get that and I did enjoy it. I was just sharing what I learned in 25 years in newspaper business. I respect your work and I hope I didn’t offend. I did mention the more to come didn’t I?

Roofless
Roofless
16 days ago

There’s a thing people do on the internet where they see some small snippet of something being done by competent professionals and immediately chime in to say why what those competent professionals are doing is wrong, and it’s just absolutely impossible to do that without looking like an enormous wanker, because, like, obviously the competent professionals know what they were doing, and if the commenter did, they’d be doing it, and not just commenting on the internet, so all that’s really accomplished is the commenter shows their ass on the internet and everyone’s poorer for it and nobody’s happy.

Anyway, I’m sure when the video comes out we’ll get to hear more from Jay, and maybe more from DT too!

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
15 days ago
Reply to  Roofless

Actually I have 25 years in the media world. I mentioned that I recognized that DT said it was just a tease. But in real life people are better off listening and learning from the subject. In a job interview a good interviewer listens 80% of the time and lets the candidate talk 80% because the interviewer needs to learn the candidate. Interviewing someone is the same. You don’t learn by talking but by listening. And if you are interviewing for a job remember this.

Ranwhenparked
Ranwhenparked
17 days ago

FWIW, Jay Leno owns many vehicles that he regards as ugly, didn’t stop him from buying them, because he likes other aspects – history, engineering, technology, performance, craftsmanship, or just a personal story about it. Styling does seem to be one of the less important attributes for him, it isn’t that he doesn’t care about it at all, though.

Last edited 17 days ago by Ranwhenparked
Ranwhenparked
Ranwhenparked
17 days ago
Reply to  David Tracy

Although, I was a bit surprised that his Volga M21 is one of the cars he puts in that category, as I always thought they were fairly attractive, especially the facelifted 1962+ version that he has

Box Rocket
Box Rocket
17 days ago

Yay! You used my suggestion! (sort of) ????

Did he take you for a ride in any/all of his McLarens like I also suggested?

Chronometric
Chronometric
17 days ago

Am I the only one who doesn’t think the i3 is ugly?

Mechjaz
Mechjaz
17 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

Well…. You’ve got DT on your side, at least.

Chronometric
Chronometric
17 days ago
Reply to  Mechjaz

I think David and I agree on at least 2 things – the i3 is not ugly and Elise (not her real name) is too good for him.

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
17 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

And vice versa

Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
16 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

I like the i3 as well.

As for Elise being to good for David, a) he seems like a good guy, and b) you always try to outkick your coverage.

Aaron Slater
Aaron Slater
17 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

I had a 2014 i3 BEV, and I loved every bit of it. I always loved surprising people with how roomy the back seat really is, even for tall people. Plus, the grin of the acceleration was always a treat. Since my employer at the time provided us 220V outlets to charge our EVs (Pretty sure California gave him a tax credit for those), the BEV’s range was never an issue for me.

Ultimately, the i3 was totalled in a spectacular accident on the 91 freeway in 2019 when I was hit on the driver-side a-pillar by a 40 foot box truck… sending me across two full lanes of rush-hour traffic… and the i3’s carbon fiber-wrapped passenger cell proofed incredibly effective in preventing any injury to myself. Man, I miss that car!

Chronometric
Chronometric
17 days ago
Reply to  Aaron Slater

I hear David has one available for an above-market bargain price.

Double Wide Harvey Park
Double Wide Harvey Park
16 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

New battery, I know what I have

Aaron Slater
Aaron Slater
16 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

Sadly (Not Sadly) I live in Holden Country™ now

Ranwhenparked
Ranwhenparked
17 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

I think its about as good as you can do with that tall, short box form factor. I don’t exactly consider it attractive, or a classic beauty, but wouldn’t call it ugly, either.

Box Rocket
Box Rocket
17 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

I don’t think it’s ugly, per se. It is a bit awkward-looking.

Fake grille, headlights that echo the unloved Bangle-era cars, black upper surfacing (yes, let’s make the cabin and drive parts hotter by covering them in the most heat-absorbent color we have), the weird hiccup line for the rear doors (should have just been one continuous shape leading from the front mirrors), the rear that looks like it’s either been embedded with or trying to pass a Porsche 911, tall and narrow body and wheels, the list goes on.

As relatively pretty as the i8 was/is, they should have borrowed more of its language for the cheaper sibling.

Nlpnt
Nlpnt
16 days ago
Reply to  Box Rocket

I’ve thought for years it looks like the concept car that the original Chevy Bolt was the production version of.

Alexander Moore
Alexander Moore
17 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

Only the early models. Obviously the facelift was lipstick on the pig, but at least the pig used to be adorable.

Nsane In The MembraNe
Nsane In The MembraNe
17 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

I think they look great and were very forward thinking. I mean…it’s a 10 year old car that still looks futuristic today. That’s not easy to pull off. They’re a little quirky for sure but I like quirky, not to mention they come in great colors.

There are dozens of us! DOZENS!

Mark Jacob
Mark Jacob
16 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

I think it’s a great looking car.

Data
Data
17 days ago

Hollywood David, hanging with Roger Daltrey and Jay Leno. What famous person will David hang out with next? Find out only on The Autopian.

Last edited 17 days ago by Data
Chronometric
Chronometric
17 days ago
Reply to  Data

Dave picks up Margot Robbie in his Barbie Jeep.

Ben
Ben
16 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

How do we know “Elise” isn’t Margot Robbie?

Chronometric
Chronometric
16 days ago
Reply to  Ben

If it is, I’m buying a Barbie Jeep.

Mortalcombatant
Mortalcombatant
16 days ago
Reply to  Data

You forgot to mention Mad Mike

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
17 days ago

Well, using Jay’s logic regarding the i3, I guess that means his jokes will finally be funny after he’s dead.

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
17 days ago
Reply to  David Tracy

I was funnin’ with you. I used to watch Jay perform stand up in Boston in the early 70s about 20 years before you were on this earth, probably. Had to sneak into the clubs, but that wasn’t hard. Most people know him from his Tonight Show appearances and later hosting, but if you haven’t seen him perform blue, you’ve missed treat.

Cerberus
Cerberus
17 days ago
Reply to  Canopysaurus

I was going to reply: I saw him before he was the TS host and his stand up was actually pretty good.

I don’t know if anyone is really funny as talk a show host. I don’t know if it’s because they have to water down the jokes to appeal to too wide an audience, but I’ve never been impressed by the acts of comedians I know are funny when they take a talk show host gig.

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
17 days ago
Reply to  Cerberus

It’s true. Television, especially in those days, excluding some cable markets, really forced comedians to mind their Ps and Qs. Saw Carson in Vegas once and it was a revelation. The only hint of that side of his humor on the Tonight Show were his double entendres and that impish twinkle he got when you know he was thinking about something risqué.

Box Rocket
Box Rocket
17 days ago
Reply to  Cerberus

I think that’s why I enjoyed (as it were) Craig Ferguson’s stint on the Late Late Show. Yes, he would be heavily censored, but there was enough of his unhinged mania that couldn’t be contained, it was delightful.

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
17 days ago
Reply to  Box Rocket

Miss the Ferg and Geoff.

Box Rocket
Box Rocket
17 days ago
Reply to  Canopysaurus

And Secretariat

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
17 days ago
Reply to  Cerberus

I preferred Letterman on late Nite with… A little more risque back then before sensitivity training existed.

1978fiatspyderfan
1978fiatspyderfan
17 days ago
Reply to  Canopysaurus

I remember watching Jay’s first guest appearance on the Tonight show with Johnny Carson. I believe he wore the same denim shirt/pants combo.

Rad Barchetta
Rad Barchetta
17 days ago

It wasn’t denim, but it might have been corduroy. 1977 btw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvmQZ1jQjQk

Last edited 17 days ago by Rad Barchetta
Urban Runabout
Urban Runabout
16 days ago
Reply to  Rad Barchetta

My Dad had a corduroy suit like that – but his was darker green.
(or he simply wasn’t under such bright lights)
It was the late 70’s after all.

Nsane In The MembraNe
Nsane In The MembraNe
17 days ago
Reply to  David Tracy

I’ve interacted with several folks who have Jay Leno stories and every single one of them said he’s a stand up guy. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I’ve seen it floated around on car blogs so maybe it is? Apparently there was a kid who was being picked on at school who asked Jay if he could help him out, so Leno went to his school and picked him up in a Countach.

Lokki
Lokki
16 days ago

I have a friend to went to Pebble Beach, and took his obscure 50’s Italian motorcycle to ride around at the show. After riding for a while he was having trouble getting it to restart hot, he said, and while he was looking down at the carb a big hand reached in out of nowhere and started priming the carb. He was shocked because WTF who would do that? Then a voice he knew said, “I always have the same trouble with mine.” It was Jay Leno, there to help on a bike of which perhaps 100 were made, and by golly he was right and it started right up. My friend was really impressed with what a nice and genuine car guy Leno was.

Double Wide Harvey Park
Double Wide Harvey Park
16 days ago

He stole the late night show from Conan O’Brien, so he’s not 100% a standup guy.

Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
16 days ago

Jay didn’t have to say yes, but none of that happens without the network okaying it or making it happen. None of it.

And, point of comparison, when the same network wanted to cut Jay’s budget, which would have meant firing a hood chunk of the crew, he took a 50 percent pay cut so they could keep their jobs.

Box Rocket
Box Rocket
16 days ago

Yes, because Jay Leno was the sole decision-maker for an entire network.

Let it go. You weren’t personally involved, it didn’t really directly affect you, and Conan is still doing extremely well for himself.

Lokki
Lokki
16 days ago
Reply to  Canopysaurus

Insert shrug and eye-roll.

Last edited 16 days ago by Lokki
A. Barth
A. Barth
17 days ago

Oh well, there goes my plan of retiring on the sail of my “Holy Grail” BMW i3!

Nifty – it has a wind-powered range extender. 🙂

Mechjaz
Mechjaz
17 days ago

Oooooh, but when Jay Leno tells you it’s ugly it’s okay?? Harrumph! Harrumph I say!

Urban Runabout
Urban Runabout
17 days ago

“Noble Failures” sounds like a new weekly feature.

My nomination:
Maserati Quattroporte.
All of them – 1 thru 6

Rod Millington
Rod Millington
16 days ago
Reply to  Urban Runabout

“Coming up”

*Insert angry Sreten noises here*

Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
16 days ago
Reply to  Rod Millington

In his last video, he built a kitchen island rather than work on the Maserati. That’s bad.

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