Jay Leno's Baker Electric Car
Written by Keith Fudge

It’s always a pleasure to visit with the Tonight Show’s host, Jay Leno, and have the opportunity to see what is happening in his garage.  Recently, Dennis paid another visit to Jay, and we saw some remarkable goings on, not to mention an environmentally conscious approach to motoring that has been around for close to a century.  First, we had the opportunity to see just what Jay is working on at present.

First of all, Jay showed us a roadster that would definitely make you feel as if you were flying, and perhaps that was because it was powered by a Spitfire fighter plane engine!  Mounted in a 1934 Rolls Royce chassis, Jay said that he hopes that the car will make around 1,600 horsepower when it is finished!  Next, Jay showed Dennis a rare car from Switzerland.  This car was a Monteverdi, built by Switzerland’s only auto manufacturer.  Dennis comments that the car has an Italian look about it, and Jay responds that the irony of it is that the Monteverdi has a Chrysler running gear!  Equipped with a 440 cubic inch engine and a 4-speed transmission, this 3,300 pound Euro-hot rod has enough power to get you down the road in a hurry.  Jay told Dennis that this car was what you would have gotten if you sent your 1970 Roadrunner to Switzerland and had it “Euroed.”  By the way, this car is one of only four ever produced and was on display at the London Auto Show.  Finally, the talk turned to the rising costs of fuel and how we needed to see something a bit more environmentally conscious and Jay said that he had just the answer:  a 1909 Baker Electric!

As Dennis and Jay approached the car, Jay said that it was similar to “driving a phone booth on wheels.”  He did, however, go on to say that it was the only one of his cars that was 100% maintenance free!  At that moment, Jay started to point out some of the unusual features of the Baker including leather fenders (the carbon fiber of the day according to Jay), and windows that slide up and down.  Dennis remarked that the interior was extremely ornate and Jay told him that these cars were marketed primarily to women. On the interior they were designed similar to a ladies’ sitting room of the era and featured such amenities as flower vases and mirrors along with luxurious couch-like seating.  On the technical side, they were easy to start (just turn the key and you’re off) and they were much cleaner than other cars because there was no fuel to tend to.  Jay then went on to tell a bit of the history of these vehicles.  He said that there were more than 15,000 of these cars in operation around the turn of the century, and he said that there were charging stations throughout cities that would enable owners to receive a boost!  A Baker traveled approximately 100 miles on a single charge and received their “juice” through batteries that were designed and patented by Thomas Edison!  The batteries were even reusable by simply cleaning them out and adding fresh water.  Jay said that he is no longer using the originals (although he could) and he is currently using six-volt golf car batteries.  “They seem to last longer,” Jay noted.  Jay said that the biggest joy that he receives from the car is that he and his wife drive it during the holidays and look at Christmas lights and decorations.  He also said that deer will also walk right up to the car and look in the windows!  He said that is probably because there is no smell of fuel and no noise.

Finally, it was time to take the Baker out for a cruise so Dennis climbed inside and Jay manned the tiller.   As they drove, Dennis noted that the car seemed “tall” and Jay noted that the top speed of 23 miles per hour was “pretty damned scary!”  Jay went on to say that while 23 miles per hour seems slow when talking about cars, the Model T only had a top speed of 42 miles per hour so the Baker did pretty well for running on batteries.  After a quick stop, Jay allowed Dennis behind the tiller and the two headed back to Jay’s garage.  Dennis noted the relaxing feeling that driving the Baker gave, and upon their return, Jay remarked with a grin, “Save the planet; drive an electric car!”  Sounds good to us! 
As always, it was a pleasure visiting with Jay and seeing the latest additions to his garage.  We can’t wait until the next visit!  That’s it from sunny southern California, so until our next trip, “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”