Jay Leno's Little Cars
Written by Keith Fudge

As you well know, Jay Leno is a true enthusiast of many modes of transportation.  Recently, Dennis Gage got another chance to visit with Jay.  Dennis could hardly wait to see what Jay had in store for him this time.  Jay greeted Dennis as he entered the garage, and they began to walk among Jay’s incredible array of vehicles.  Dennis could only dream about what he would see that day.  After all, he had seen the “tank car,” the 1,000 horsepower Olds Tornado, and the aircraft-engine powered Rolls Royce!  What could be next?  Could it be that stunning 1962 Corvette, or what about that Hemi-powered station wagon?  It was at this point that Jay told Dennis his current concern was all about saving energy and fuel conservation.  Today he would show just how fuel and energy conscious he is in terms of the cars that Dennis would see!

As they turned the corner, one could almost hear Jay say, “Holy Cow, Dennis!  It’s a 1937 Fiat Topolino!”  Yes indeed, it was a car that Jay described as an Italian Volkswagen-only with more style and flair.  On the exterior, classic 1930s automotive lines make this diminutive all-steel vehicle look like a mini-coupe from the U.S.A.!   When Jay popped the hood, it revealed an engine that certainly showed one reason why this car achieves almost 50 miles per gallon!  Powered by a four-cylinder flathead 500 cc. engine, Jay joked that this is one vehicle where the generator is larger than the motor!  Soon Dennis and Jay “scrunched” their way into the car and took it for a ride through the California streets.  After a while, it was Dennis’ turn to drive, so he and Jay headed back to the garage.  Next on the list was a car with quite a remarkable history.  Jay took Dennis over to see a hand-built, Indian motorcycle powered, three-wheel car!  Jay said that several years ago a man contacted him telling him that he had built this car when he was a kid and if Jay wanted it he could have it.  Jay said his curiosity got the best of him, and he traveled to meet the man and see the car.  It turns out that the man said he built this car when he was 17 years old (he was in his 80s when Jay met him).  After he finished it, he and his brother traveled around the country in it!  Jay went on to say that, unfortunately, the man did not live to see the car restored.  Jay said that the man’s wife is still alive and he is going to have her out to California to see the car in its restored state.  At that point, Jay went on to show Dennis this remarkable little Indian and told him of its beginnings.  Jay said the car actually started as a 1931 Shotwell, and the man then put an Indian motorcycle engine in it.  The body was all steel, and the front axle came from a Model A Ford.  After it was built, the car was even equipped with the traditional kick-starter!  Jay added some modern touches in the restoration process.  He and Dennis climbed in the car and took it for a test drive!  What an experience it was to see this piece of history hit the streets once again.  All the while they were driving, it was nice to know that this car had found the road one more time! 

Well, that’s it for this trip to Jay’s garage.  As always, we can’t wait for our next visit.  Farewell from sunny, southern California.  Until next time, “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”