Jay gets something that many other classic car collectors don't - cars meant to be driven. That's why his reviews are so much fun to watch. Some collectors that have all the money in the world buy these magnificent machines, and they lock them behind seven locks and mortals like me will never have the chance to see them. Thanks to Jay we can. Thank you.
@ - Jay has too many cars to drive most of them... along with making videos... Along with driving/talking, wish he took them all to the dragstrip like RoadKill does... give us some real numbers...
The British and Italians had the best looking sporty cars in the 1950's and 60's. Jay's right, this is one of the prettiest cars, ever! Thanks, Jay, for sharing your wonderful cars through these videos!
This one is certainly one of the nicest post war cars jaguar made. When looking at it, it looks fast and elegant but not like the "tax collectors" car. That was a joke Jay made when he drove John Frankenheimer's 1965 Rolls Royce silver cloud iii.
Jay, my dad (a jag NUT) recently passed away (89 y.o.)... I loved when he talked about his Jaguars. He loved them and had a great passion for them. It was fun seeing you talk and drive this one. PS: I have plenty of Jaguar manuals if you need them. Thanks again. It reminded me of my dad (today is his birthday). Ed
"There's no oil in it, AND IT STILL LEAKS OIL!" I'm dying! 🤣🤣🤣 Beautiful car, Jay. Thank you for preserving these automotive treasures the way they were meant to be, running and driving.
I owned a 1953 XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe for 45 years. Drove it to the 1991 Pebble Beach Concours de Elegance and met Jay on the lawn. Jay impressed me with his knowledge, humor, and approachable car guy personality. Thank you Mr Leno for your wonderful contributions to our hobby. We have no better statesman.
Props to you Jay Leno, it is really nice to see that someone with the ability has taken such a neat and historic hobbie, and share it with the world so freely. Thank you.
I got my first XK-120 (a '51 OTS white/red) in '58 while working my way through college. Shortly thereafter it took me from Illinois to California to work for Hughes Aircraft on old Rt. 66 ... before the TV series. I now have a totally restored '51 OTS white/biscuit. You CAN go home again. The car is stock except for a TREMEC box, 9:1 pistons, 140 master cylinder, brass radiator, the biggest valves that will fit the head and the 140 exhaust. This last week I finished a GoPro 5 camera mount using selfie sticks and some custom made aluminum parts to hold the camera at the position of the passenger's head. The side curtain mounts are used for two of three anchor points. I am getting set to take some "Jay Leno" style videos driving Brea and Carbon Canyons ... maybe Turnbull. The car is a delight to drive. It takes me back to '59 and Rt. 66. Want to drive a "chase" camera car? One of these days I am going to come visit. Butch
Definitive proof that Jay is no Philistine. It warms my heart to see that Jay loves this car. When I was a little kid this was one of my 'Dream Cars'. My heart still beats faster to see its classic lines.
I was fortunate enough to have a 1956 XK140 coupe, a slightly larger version of this car. I was 18 years old. I can attest to the Moss gearbox touchiness. Every time my father drove “our” car he jammed up the gearbox and the engine had to come out! An expensive fix. Watching you shift brought back a vivid tactile memory. I could feel my hand on the shifter and that ever so subtle almost a snap as it slipped into place, mmmmMMMMM! What a delicious satisfying feeling.
Jay, have to say , from a guy who is pretty much confined to a wheelchair due to ALS, your show gives me great comfort, info and gives me many smiles, cant drive anymore except for the 6.4 mph top speed electric wheelchair which limits where you can go, keep up the great work Jeff Houk
I was at Cherry Point in 1968 and a couple of pilots(Navy oh well) had a bay in the auto hobby shop with a 120 coupe. They put a Falcon(I believe rear end and engine(sprint) ) in the car. I moved on to Pendleton before they finished but I still remember the beautiful lines of that vehicle. This was when the GTO Judge was out, people thought Sunbeam Tigers were BOSS. Wonderful years for cars
This is what I like about Jay, he runs his cars. There is a guy down the road from me, he never even starts his cars, he even pushes the out when he washes them. When he does go to start them for a car show, he ends up having problems because they sat to long.
My favourite car of all time. I’ve seen a real rust bucket missing lights, most of the paint and dings and dents, and still such beautiful lines melt my heart.
Ah, memories. A friend's brother had a XK-140 roadster back in the early 60s (?) and I got to ride in once on a delightful summer day in Finger Lakes area of New York State. Boy, such a thrill barking down the country roads, down shifting for the corners and accelerating up the straights and that wonderful Jag sound.
They're called Moai. It's the fragile nature of volcanic rock that forces the exaggerated facial features. There is so much air in the rock, that they can be floated by tsunamis. I think it's a tad unfair to compare Jay with Moai, but if you squint, you might see something in it. If you decide to tour Isla de Pasqua, be sure to get the tour book, "The Complete Guide to Easter Island", by Shawn McLaughlin, and read it prior to the jet ride down there. And learn the money, too, since the ladies at the souvenir stands and fruit stand expect you to bargain with them. I highly recommend not doing the vacation on the cheap. They raise their own beef on the island, and you should definitely eat at the steak house near to the dive shop on the pier. When you stop in Santiago, Chile, be sure to leave enough time for waiting in long customs lines between your scheduled flights. I stayed overnight in Santiago, and was able to shop for stuff to take over to the island. They allow you to take food and drink with you on the flight over to the island. So, take the booze that you would want, and why not buy wine to share with your host and his family at the bed and breakfast place you pick to stay? They have restaurants on the island, as well as a farmer's market. The empanadas at the trailer fast food place near downtown is good. There are 2 banks on the island, and be certain to carry crisp 100 dollar bills with you if your credit cards doesn't work for some reason. I forgot to notify my bank, and my credit card didn't work. The folding money in my shoe came in handy. The Rapa Nui people are very nice. I was shocked when I got off the jet to hear the music that they were playing. Nothing like the shlock you hear in Honolulu. High quality Polynesian style music, with a note of outside influence is a real treat. And if you get a chance to attend a dance, don't miss it. Their dances are boldly sexual, and the women are attractive. Some of them speak English, but brushing up on your Spanish would be a good idea. There is surf fishing and I understand you can hire a boat at the boat harbor. You'll want to rent a car for seeing the island. There is an internet cafe. Not many Americans go down there. linksandmisc.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-had-taken-photographs-before-but.html
You are correct, sir, the xk120 fixed head is one of the most beautiful cars ever built and certainly one of my favorites...coming or going, the car does not have one bad angle...a true classic!
I was 15 years old when my father bought an Xk120. He died not long after. My mom said I was too young to have this exotic Vehicle. after 45 years I can see that she was right. I always hoped it was sold to a good Home. Ted.
Jay, my first love for automobiles as a kid was a silver 1964 XKE coupe belonging to a lady who lived in a nearby apt. complex. I road my bike over every evening to drool on her car after she came home and thus began my love of sports cars. This coupe, the styling, the color, being stock and all.. I love it hands down over the rag top, taking nothing away from that car either. This one.. what a beauty.. thanks for sharing all of your amazing cars with us, who share your passion. Best.
"It's fun to have a modified Jag and a stock one just to compare". I had never tought about that. After lunch, I'll simply go buy one of each, to put in the Jaguar section of my garage.
The fixed-head coupe is heartbreakingly beautiful. The ads for this car, as I recall as a kid, usually showed doctors and professional people driving them. Thanks to Jay for preserving this classic.
Thank you so much Jay for inviting us in your world. You make our day a little brighter as you give us a car's history, show us it's artistic beauty, then take us on a drive with you, and add some humor. What a gift to us.
Absolutely beautiful machine, being from England it's lovely to see you keep these old jags alive and keeping them spot on mechanically and aesthetically, I wish more people saw the beauty in these old machines.
I managed to get a 54 120 roadster with no top of anykind in 1966 and that car shaped my future more than anything else in my life. I was finally caught racing cops with it (it was bit recognizable) and brought in for advanced civics training at the local jail. While serving my time debt to society I was offered an opportunity to go on an Asian vacation with the US Army with the bonus of not needing to complete my jail time. As a result of making it back stateside I was able to use the GI Bill to go to college and study in the BFA program. So that wonderful 120 Jag helped me erase some child from my mind set, greatly enhance my risk analysis capacities, teach me self reliance, and gift me with 4 years of college as well as set me off on a life as a painter of images. Not many vehicles have that capacity to change a life so dramatically...hell virtually nothing can match what that Jag did for me. The 1954 120 Jaguar roadster was berry, berry good to me.
E typewith 3 strombergs was my fave. And the 12 with 4 carbs. I was the only one who could make them work in my area. I wish we could talk with each other.
My father owned this one when he was in the Air Force in the 50"s in Europe. I appreciate the video of the car's performance and Jay's perspective. I agree, that the still photos don't do the car justice until you hear it roar.
Wonderful video. During my college years in Upstate NY, I played in a jazz group. Our drummer owned an XK-120 and managed to carry his entire drum kit in the car - winter, spring and fall. As I recall, the bass drum rode in the passenger seat and perhaps he removed the spare tire for the snare drum below the tom-tom and cymbals. Drum sticks and brushes? No problem. When I was 8 years old, my Dad took me to Smalley's Garage in nearby Watkins Glen (where they were still racing in the streets at the time) and asked if one of the mechanics would take me for a ride in a sports car By that time I was already over our family's 1949 Buick Super. The mechanic took me up the hill toward the future Watkins Glen International circuit in an XK120 Coupe like the one in this video. I can remember the sound of the engine and the vibrations of the chassis. It was what would become, a few years later and a few thousand miles away, an E-Ticket ride!
Aloha. Bought my 1st car at 16, a 1954 Jag XK120 for $250! Pretty rough but ran great & sounded amazing. Met a wonderful guy Chip Donnelly who raced a 120 at SCCA events in MD & PA who helped me keep it going for a while. Sold the car to him for $150 & bought a '63 Mini Cooper. I'll never forget the feeling of my 1st car. It was a WOW! Mahala nui loa for your videos Jay.
I like the stock XK120 Jag far better than the roadster, although, I DO prefer roadsters, mainly.. I drive a '71 Etype 4.2 for fun. David Potter , Ottawa , Canada
Eisen J Eisen ...that was a good one. Also, when he knocked their clocks..."they're only right twice a day"..took me a few seconds, then got the joke. funny! (clocks dont run at all!) Very entertaining videos.
that car has always caught my eye when jay shows the interior of the garage,it just is unique in it's styling,a car that to me sums up design of the 50's,all in one package.
I love his comment "women love Jaguars". In 77, when I was 17 my boss who was older than me by maybe 6 years would talk about how "women crawl into his Jag". Me, being a geek, not just a car geek, really felt the impact of that statement. :)
Totally! Jay the late-night talk show host, I could always take or leave. Jay Leno the automotive enthusiast, restorer, and historian with a sense of humor? He's an absolute cornerstone to car culture and always will be.
Jay, I agree totally with your comments about seeing the cars in motion and not just as static shots. I think the best way to get the younger crowd interested in "our" cars would be for them to be seen and heard driving around.
I know this video is from 2012, Jay, but if you never got the clock fixed, send it to a shop in New Jersey called Jaguar Clock. I sent them my E Type roadster's dead clock, and an incredibly accurate quartz unit, that still gets its time adjustment from the original chrome knob, was put in. It is so accurate now that the only time I ever have to adjust the time with the knob, is to change from daylight to standard. Lovely XK-120. By the way, I look after my E Type and it doesn't leak a single drop of oil!
+commodore665 I remember my brother in law having a 40 something Harley bike back in the late 90's, that he thought was shot because he had finally noticed small spots of oil beneath it in the barn, where he stored it. The bike was extremely NICE. He ended up selling it to my cousin for what I believe being $100, due to the "leak". Only to have my cousin find that there were weep holes made for the purpose of releasing small amounts of oil, for whatever reason the intent was for. He ended up making a LOT of money on the re-sell of that bike. Makes one wonder if the Jag was designed the same way, with weep holes, for whatever reason? Just a thought...
robzrob Love that part!!!^_^ Now I know why the video got thumbed down-_- Waaaah!! Jay made a joke about leaky British engines!!! (writes angry email and signed: Butt Hurt Jaguar Fanboy):P
Anyone who actually has a Jag of that vintage and takes care of one knows, "If there is not oil under it, put some in." I grew up watching a grandfather do routine maintenance on a 1960 Jag Mark 2 he bought new which always had an oil pan under it in his garage. Loved, loved, loved the sound of that engine, and the smell of engine oil, burl wood, wool carpets and headliner, and leather. Learned to drive stick shift on that car and drive the steepest hills of San Francisco, too, which was not easy given the car's weight when stopped on an uphill at a light. Jay, I have vote for your white 120 convertible with red interior. (Same colors as "my" Jag.) But, I'm glad to drive any Jag with those old engines. The sound and feel of those is like nothing else.
+TommyTwobats : As an owner of one, I believe the car was designed for a 5'3" driver, plus it has a 19" steering wheel. For someone taller than 5'3", it is not a comfortable car to drive. Regardless, I love my XK120 SE .
i have always been and likly will always be a fan of originality. You can not beat the beauty and grace the designers put in these cars. My vote is cast for this one.
Jays Head Jay you really do have a pretty good sized head....but.... there are some real advantages to having a big head. You might jump ahead and think ‘oh he’s going to say it allows me space for a big brain’. The best you can say about having a bigger brain and improving cognitive function in normal contemporary adults is that having a bigger brain can’t hurt. No, the real advantage is that it allows the potential for you to have larger sinuses. The big sinuses provide a bigger space for the resonance of your voice and allows you to sound good overall but also improves your ability to do your impressions, funny noises and voiced sound effects. The bigger more complex resonance space makes your voice sound interesting and enjoyable. Think about how quickly you notice when someone has blocked sinuses. Also think about what the engineers do with the piping and chambers in exhaust systems to get them to sound just right. Another advantage is that with a bigger head you get a bigger face which gives you a bigger space to display your facial expressions. This gives you more potential to communicate nonverbally both in that your extreme faces have more impact because they’re bigger and subtle facial expressions are easier to see and come across well on camera or to an audience who may be relatively far away from you compared to normal communication distances. For the sake of completeness I would also mention that the sinuses act as an immune sampling space as well as a crumple zone protecting the brain from frontal impact - just like in your newer safer cars. Finally, the sinuses in the face, forehead and in the middle of your head make it lighter - Super leggerra Jay ? Anyway there’s a lot here and I won’t go into absolutely all of it ....but again ... you do have a big head and a big face but don’t worry about it - it helps you communicate with your audience and makes you sound good which is clearly very important in your line of business. If you find a magic lamp in one of your old cars and the genie gives you the opportunity to change the size of one body part ... don’t choose to have a smaller head. Choose something better. Thank you for the years of work producing this very high-quality content and for all the kind things that you do for people. I love seeing kindness, I love cars and I love watching and hearing you talk about them. Great show.
I'm in the process of restoring my 1974 Lotus Europa Special. Bought it from my brother who bought it in 1975. When it's done I would love to post pictures of it for you to look at and comment on. It was so fun to drive when I had it out a few years ago, I felt like I was doing something illegal like driving a fast go cart on the streets. Thank you for all your awesome videos, great historical facts and the time you devote for guys like us!
That may be the best looking car ever built ! The lines on that car just flow and it has that classic European look. That rounded hard top is just gorgeous !
As a former Jag., XJ 12L (85) owner, I remember the ride and feel of the Jaguar, most unlike American vehicles. However it was alway's a "love & hate" relationship, loved it when it worked & hated it when it did not! Great stuff Mr. Leno, really appreciate your Garage, and especially enjoy the "ride-along's".
My Dad salvaged one out of a junk yard in Morocco in the 60's. He put a small block Ford in it. I was always fascinated by the wooden blocks that hold the door hinges on. He called it a fixed head coupe. It was repainted Corvette Silver with 12 coats hand rubbed lacquer.
6:39 we like your big giant head, Jay. Keep up the great videos. Do you make any money at this? I don't see any ads on your site. Form the rear it looks like a Delahaye. Hey Jay - one thing. It's a TH-cam thing I guess, but it is REALLY HARD sometimes to find your videos on youtube. When you mention another car, can you put the link to it on the page? Thanks! I just searched on "Jay Leno Jaguar" to try to find your video on the roadster and it doesn't turn up. Maybe those B@stards at Google will listen to you. They've really messed up the interface and made it hard to find videos. They keep recommending things they think I want to see and hiding all the good stuff!
I've got to agree with Jay, I love that you drive the cars in your video's. Not only for the better views of them, but also the sound of them. They are, after all, machines. They all have their own personalities. Sound being one of the traits of many classic machines.
Mr Leno . I wen´t to find the white XK roadster,but it´s not there. Am I stupid or has it been deleted ? I have an XJS coupe, but it does not seem so popular . Thank´s
British Winters, and cars that were never designed with durability in mind. The E type and MK2 Jaguars were gorgeous cars to look at, but with heavy use of road salt in our Winters, their bodywork corroded terribly. Unfortunately, the Uk is not blessed with a Californian climate.
Growing up in Coventry both my Dad and Uncle worked for Jag. There were two factories then, Brown’s lane and Radford. On the outskirts of town they built a huge Jaguar hood ornament style statue encorporating direction to the factory for supply trucks.
Hey, Jay! Come on man, please don't offend my fellow Brits' calling all our cars English! Okay, maybe the manufacturing plants were mainly in England, but, the workforce from design to engineering and production came from all over the UK. You keep referring to English and before we know it, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and my home county of Lancashire will be leaving the union - no doubts about that! And, Terri May will have something to say about that too! So, consider you have been, politely, told off! Don't even think about banning me from watching your videos or I will get Donald to back me up! Kindest regards, Bill.
I dont want to be negative, but if Jay crashed in this car in 10 mph, I think the steering wheel would go up his :) Fact is new cars are ugly, expensive, not exciting heaps of aluminum, but they are ridiculously safer then these old cars:)
Safer if you get in an accident, not necessarily as well-designed for the purpose of accident-avoidance. Oversized pillars made to accommodate airbags block your view.
No cars or trucks, made by anyone, were as safe back then as today's cheapest econo-box. Maybe it's just safer to stay at home and enjoy Jay's videos of some of the most beautiful machinery ever made... OK, maybe that could make you late to work but the view would be so much prettier! ;^)
+Paul Marshall Yeah you still have the award, no one uses the Cambridge dictionary, only fuckwits who don't know better. The Oxford Unabridged English dictionary is the only narrative that should be used for the correct use and pronunciation of the English Language. Americans think they were the first to do/make everything, the only knowledgeable people in America are not Americans, they are mostly Europeans. Even your President is Irish FFS America's only claim to fame is the Apollo Moon landings, and that was only possible because instead of prosecuting Nazi scientists for their war crimes, you gave them immunity if they assisted you with a rocket program.
No way. It's much better this way. You don't need to be at home at a certain time to watch nor does it need to be recorded via DVR. That and there's no ad's breaking up the action. That and the content gets updated much more frequently than a TV show would. Jay has enough means to generate revenue. It's extra cool of him to spend his time reaching out to fans and car guys by keeping this free.
I love these cars, especially the coupé version as they made fewer of them so they are more valuable. I've just watched your video on the Talbot-Lago Type 150 CS and you can see where Jaguar got their styling influence from. My father had a 1952 Mark VII Jaguar saloon (registration number MOC 949) in British Racing Green during the 1960's and it truly lived up to the marketing motto of "Grace, pace, space". It had the same 3.4 litre engine as the XK 120 and the same big steering wheel with the pointed nascelle in the middle. It came with a set of Carrington tools in a special compartment in the front doors and the interior door handles were the pistol handle type. I remember we took it across the channel and toured it through France ,Belgium and Holland and the French gendarmes saluted us as we drove off the ferry! They had just completed the M1 at the time and there was no speed limit so my father took it up to 100 MPH just to see if it could do it. They cost less than 1,000 pounds when they first came out and he paid 300 pounds for it seconhand. He eventually sold it as it became difficult to get parts for it. A very sad day for all the family.
My first car was a 1957 XK140MC fixed head coupe. The top was a little longer than yours and it had two little jump seats in the back. It also had the burled wood dash and it had a Blaupunkt radio with 5 bands where your parcel drawer is. It had the 3.4 engine also but it had a C type head so it had more Hp. I later bought a 1969 XKE fixed head coupe, but even though it had the more dependable 4.2 it never sounded as good as that 3.4 when the revs got above 3,500. Sadly I sold it when I got sent to Nam in 1969 as a field medic since I didn't think I'd make it back alive.
Jay gets something that many other classic car collectors don't - cars meant to be driven. That's why his reviews are so much fun to watch. Some collectors that have all the money in the world buy these magnificent machines, and they lock them behind seven locks and mortals like me will never have the chance to see them. Thanks to Jay we can. Thank you.
Simply superb and well used all credit to jay
His jet car video I thought, "I'll never see this drive". Next thing we're out driving it. Every video, every time. Joyous. Thanks
I believe everything he owns, he drives.
And...we get to see Jay too. Talk about classic!
@ - Jay has too many cars to drive most of them... along with making videos...
Along with driving/talking, wish he took them all to the dragstrip like RoadKill does... give us some real numbers...
I wish I had a Jaguar section of my garage. Actually, I would settle for a garage!
agreed, would be amazing to have a garage
My uncle used to own a service station that had been converted into a family home and you could literally fit our house into the garage.
a trick: you can watch movies on flixzone. Been using it for watching a lot of movies during the lockdown.
@Alex Kobe yup, been watching on Flixzone for months myself :)
The British and Italians had the best looking sporty cars in the 1950's and 60's. Jay's right, this is one of the prettiest cars, ever! Thanks, Jay, for sharing your wonderful cars through these videos!
300sl 507
@@umakegoodcookies Those are the exceptions. Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Rover and FIAT consistently get the look right
This one is certainly one of the nicest post war cars jaguar made. When looking at it, it looks fast and elegant but not like the "tax collectors" car. That was a joke Jay made when he drove John Frankenheimer's 1965 Rolls Royce silver cloud iii.
Hope the Brits don't mind when Jay complains about The Prince of Darkness... Lucas Electrics...
Jay, my dad (a jag NUT) recently passed away (89 y.o.)... I loved when he talked about his Jaguars. He loved them and had a great passion for them. It was fun seeing you talk and drive this one. PS: I have plenty of Jaguar manuals if you need them. Thanks again. It reminded me of my dad (today is his birthday). Ed
"There's no oil in it, AND IT STILL LEAKS OIL!" I'm dying! 🤣🤣🤣
Beautiful car, Jay. Thank you for preserving these automotive treasures the way they were meant to be, running and driving.
Have had a framed poster of that car same year, model, colour and configuration since i was 2 years old. Always loved it and always wanted one!
My favorite part of the show is when Jay says..."Lets go for a ride!" ;)
I owned a 1953 XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe for 45 years. Drove it to the 1991 Pebble Beach Concours de Elegance and met Jay on the lawn. Jay impressed me with his knowledge, humor, and approachable car guy personality. Thank you Mr Leno for your wonderful contributions to our hobby. We have no better statesman.
Props to you Jay Leno, it is really nice to see that someone with the ability has taken such a neat and historic hobbie, and share it with the world so freely. Thank you.
I got my first XK-120 (a '51 OTS white/red) in '58 while working my way through college. Shortly thereafter it took me from Illinois to California to work for Hughes Aircraft on old Rt. 66 ... before the TV series. I now have a totally restored '51 OTS white/biscuit. You CAN go home again. The car is stock except for a TREMEC box, 9:1 pistons, 140 master cylinder, brass radiator, the biggest valves that will fit the head and the 140 exhaust. This last week I finished a GoPro 5 camera mount using selfie sticks and some custom made aluminum parts to hold the camera at the position of the passenger's head. The side curtain mounts are used for two of three anchor points. I am getting set to take some "Jay Leno" style videos driving Brea and Carbon Canyons ... maybe Turnbull. The car is a delight to drive. It takes me back to '59 and Rt. 66. Want to drive a "chase" camera car? One of these days I am going to come visit. Butch
Definitive proof that Jay is no Philistine. It warms my heart to see that Jay loves this car. When I was a little kid this was one of my 'Dream Cars'. My heart still beats faster to see its classic lines.
I was fortunate enough to have a 1956 XK140 coupe, a slightly larger version of this car. I was 18 years old. I can attest to the Moss gearbox touchiness. Every time my father drove “our” car he jammed up the gearbox and the engine had to come out! An expensive fix. Watching you shift brought back a vivid tactile memory. I could feel my hand on the shifter and that ever so subtle almost a snap as it slipped into place, mmmmMMMMM! What a delicious satisfying feeling.
"It's fun to have a modified Jag. It's fun to have a stock one too, just to compare the two." Yeah, that would be fun. I'm SO jealous of Jay.
Yeah, don't you have both in the Jag section of your garage? LOL!
Jay, have to say , from a guy who is pretty much confined to a wheelchair due to ALS, your show gives me great comfort, info and gives me many smiles, cant drive anymore except for the 6.4 mph top speed electric wheelchair which limits where you can go, keep up the great work Jeff Houk
Gorgeous car. I prefer this to the open car.
I was at Cherry Point in 1968 and a couple of pilots(Navy oh well) had a bay in the auto hobby shop with a 120 coupe. They put a Falcon(I believe rear end and engine(sprint) ) in the car. I moved on to Pendleton before they finished but I still remember the beautiful lines of that vehicle. This was when the GTO Judge was out, people thought Sunbeam Tigers were BOSS. Wonderful years for cars
This is what I like about Jay, he runs his cars. There is a guy down the road from me, he never even starts his cars, he even pushes the out when he washes them. When he does go to start them for a car show, he ends up having problems because they sat to long.
I haven't trusted just pictures of cars since I was a child. Great to see some video of them in action and how they sound. most importantly.
Jay, you're right Jags are just beautiful! Thank you so much for showcasing your garage to TH-cam! It's truly stunning.
My favourite car of all time. I’ve seen a real rust bucket missing lights, most of the paint and dings and dents, and still such beautiful lines melt my heart.
Stunning looking car. Loved the...''Don't write me a letter, it's just a joke''.
@John Barber
If it doesn’t leak with oil or not,
It’s not a Jag
I enjoy Jay's Garage very much and am thankful that this wealthy man can share his passion with us through TH-cam.
it really is great to see these cars out on the road, in motion. Thank You, Jay
Ah, memories. A friend's brother had a XK-140 roadster back in the early 60s (?) and I got to ride in once on a delightful summer day in Finger Lakes area of New York State. Boy, such a thrill barking down the country roads, down shifting for the corners and accelerating up the straights and that wonderful Jag sound.
This car is absolutely gorgeous....
I'm old school. The Jag was always my favorite. My younger brother had a '61 XK 150 coupe (gray with red interior). It was my favorite all time ride.
Jay's head does remind me of those giant head sculptures on Easter Island.
+Josh Zook can you say "class envy"?
Class envy. Now do I get my lollipop?
They're called Moai. It's the fragile nature of volcanic rock that forces the exaggerated facial features. There is so much air in the rock, that they can be floated by tsunamis.
I think it's a tad unfair to compare Jay with Moai, but if you squint, you might see something in it. If you decide to tour Isla de Pasqua, be sure to get the tour book, "The Complete Guide to Easter Island", by Shawn McLaughlin, and read it prior to the jet ride down there. And learn the money, too, since the ladies at the souvenir stands and fruit stand expect you to bargain with them. I highly recommend not doing the vacation on the cheap. They raise their own beef on the island, and you should definitely eat at the steak house near to the dive shop on the pier. When you stop in Santiago, Chile, be sure to leave enough time for waiting in long customs lines between your scheduled flights. I stayed
overnight in Santiago, and was able to shop for stuff to take over to the island. They allow you to take food and drink with you on the flight over to the island. So, take the booze
that you would want, and why not buy wine to share with your host and his family at the bed and breakfast place you pick to stay? They have restaurants on the island, as well as
a farmer's market. The empanadas at the trailer fast food place near downtown is good. There are 2 banks on the island, and be certain to carry crisp 100 dollar bills with you
if your credit cards doesn't work for some reason. I forgot to notify my bank, and my credit card didn't work. The folding money in my shoe came in handy. The Rapa Nui people
are very nice. I was shocked when I got off the jet to hear the music that they were playing. Nothing like the shlock you hear in Honolulu. High quality Polynesian style music,
with a note of outside influence is a real treat. And if you get a chance to attend a dance, don't miss it. Their dances are boldly sexual, and the women are attractive. Some of
them speak English, but brushing up on your Spanish would be a good idea. There is surf fishing and I understand you can hire a boat at the boat harbor. You'll want to rent a car for seeing the island. There is an internet cafe. Not many Americans go down there. linksandmisc.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-had-taken-photographs-before-but.html
🤣🤣🤣
Jay walked in a bar, and the bartender said hey Jay why the long face? LoL 😂 I kill me.
You are correct, sir, the xk120 fixed head is one of the most beautiful cars ever built and certainly one of my favorites...coming or going, the car does not have one bad angle...a true classic!
What old cars have that new cars just don't have is personality..Love the vintage!
scorpionkings new cars are appliances...
When you are driving a vintage car who cares what time it is. Beautiful Jaguar Mr. Leno. Thanks for keeping classic cars alive.
I was 15 years old when my father bought an Xk120. He died not long after. My mom said I was too young to have this exotic Vehicle. after 45 years I can see that she was right. I always hoped it was sold to a good Home. Ted.
Jay, my first love for automobiles as a kid was a silver 1964 XKE coupe belonging to a lady who lived in a nearby apt. complex. I road my bike over every evening to drool on her car after she came home and thus began my love of sports cars. This coupe, the styling, the color, being stock and all.. I love it hands down over the rag top, taking nothing away from that car either. This one.. what a beauty.. thanks for sharing all of your amazing cars with us, who share your passion. Best.
Lovely to see & hear your Passion on great cars, Thank you mr Leno!
Jay, of all your cars, this one is a special treasure. It is a virtually perfect time traveler. Absolutely beautiful and so elegant.
I just like the fact you are doing them This is a great show
Was a jag master tech for 17 years. Hearing that engine brought back a lotta memories.
"It's fun to have a modified Jag and a stock one just to compare".
I had never tought about that. After lunch, I'll simply go buy one of each, to put in the Jaguar section of my garage.
I love this stock 120. The lines are so beautiful, it’s the epitome of what Jaguar was about in the 50’s and 60’s; “Grace, space, pace’. Lovely.
I love the way Jay just loves cars!
The fixed-head coupe is heartbreakingly beautiful. The ads for this car, as I recall as a kid, usually showed doctors and professional people driving them. Thanks to Jay for preserving this classic.
Jay looks like a roman emperor in modern clothes.Love his cars.
Thank you so much Jay for inviting us in your world.
You make our day a little brighter as you give us a car's history, show us it's artistic beauty, then take us on a drive with you, and add some humor. What a gift to us.
Hey Jay, Thank you so much for all of your car videos. They are really great. It's all the cars I love which I never get to see. Thank you! Joel.
Absolutely beautiful machine, being from England it's lovely to see you keep these old jags alive and keeping them spot on mechanically and aesthetically, I wish more people saw the beauty in these old machines.
I managed to get a 54 120 roadster with no top of anykind in 1966 and that car shaped my future more than anything else in my life.
I was finally caught racing cops with it (it was bit recognizable) and brought in for advanced civics training at the local jail.
While serving my time debt to society I was offered an opportunity to go on an Asian vacation with the US Army with the bonus of not needing to complete my jail time.
As a result of making it back stateside I was able to use the GI Bill to go to college and study in the BFA program.
So that wonderful 120 Jag helped me erase some child from my mind set, greatly enhance my risk analysis capacities, teach me self reliance, and gift me with 4 years of college as well as set me off on a life as a painter of images.
Not many vehicles have that capacity to change a life so dramatically...hell virtually nothing can match what that Jag did for me.
The 1954 120 Jaguar roadster was berry, berry good to me.
great life adventure!
Tragedy for the Asians you terrorized
Born in 1954. Spent my life as a jag tech twice over. Love you jay so much. Wish we could correspond.
Especially drive fun to drive. Also mg tf was great car aslo
E typewith 3 strombergs was my fave. And the 12 with 4 carbs. I was the only one who could make them work in my area. I wish we could talk with each other.
Things Jay Leno says in every video "This is one of my favorite cars, I drive this car almost every day"
Never heard him claim "almost every day"
"... could use this car not every day, but almost every day."
*could*
My father owned this one when he was in the Air Force in the 50"s in Europe. I appreciate the video of the car's performance and Jay's perspective. I agree, that the still photos don't do the car justice until you hear it roar.
The cockpit shaped pear bass, is gorgeous, mix and match have you ever spent some time on such a project? Just wondered.. Cheers..
Wonderful video. During my college years in Upstate NY, I played in a jazz group. Our drummer owned an XK-120 and managed to carry his entire drum kit in the car - winter, spring and fall. As I recall, the bass drum rode in the passenger seat and perhaps he removed the spare tire for the snare drum below the tom-tom and cymbals. Drum sticks and brushes? No problem. When I was 8 years old, my Dad took me to Smalley's Garage in nearby Watkins Glen (where they were still racing in the streets at the time) and asked if one of the mechanics would take me for a ride in a sports car By that time I was already over our family's 1949 Buick Super. The mechanic took me up the hill toward the future Watkins Glen International circuit in an XK120 Coupe like the one in this video. I can remember the sound of the engine and the vibrations of the chassis. It was what would become, a few years later and a few thousand miles away, an E-Ticket ride!
love the lines... gorgeous
Aloha. Bought my 1st car at 16, a 1954 Jag XK120 for $250! Pretty rough but ran great & sounded amazing. Met a wonderful guy Chip Donnelly who raced a 120 at SCCA events in MD & PA who helped me keep it going for a while. Sold the car to him for $150 & bought a '63 Mini Cooper. I'll never forget the feeling of my 1st car. It was a WOW! Mahala nui loa for your videos Jay.
I like the stock XK120 Jag far better than the roadster, although, I DO prefer roadsters, mainly.. I drive a '71 Etype 4.2 for fun.
David Potter , Ottawa , Canada
+David Potter OTS Roadster , of ciourse.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous... XK FHCs are amongst the world's most beautiful cars. Thanks Jay.
One of the most beautiful Jaguars ever produced - perfect colour too!!! So feminine with all those curves............
It really is awesome to see the cars all cleaned up and get some info about them, and then we get to hear them run and see them drive. Love it
Jay i like that no oil in the car and it leeks oil, anyway i like wire wheels its sharp looking and thanks a lot for video
Eisen J Eisen ...that was a good one. Also, when he knocked their clocks..."they're only right twice a day"..took me a few seconds, then got the joke. funny! (clocks dont run at all!) Very entertaining videos.
that car has always caught my eye when jay shows the interior of the garage,it just is unique in it's styling,a car that to me sums up design of the 50's,all in one package.
It's = it is
Its = belonging to it
I love his comment "women love Jaguars". In 77, when I was 17 my boss who was older than me by maybe 6 years would talk about how "women crawl into his Jag". Me, being a geek, not just a car geek, really felt the impact of that statement. :)
I fell in love with the 120 coupe when I was a kid in the 50s . I agree it's one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
I think jay got a lot funnier doing these car shows then he ever was on the tonight show.
Totally! Jay the late-night talk show host, I could always take or leave.
Jay Leno the automotive enthusiast, restorer, and historian with a sense of humor? He's an absolute cornerstone to car culture and always will be.
I will have to agree. I don't think he's funny when he's trying to make jokes, just his little one liners are the best
You're Nuts! Jay can really tell a joke. If he can get the thumbs up from Johnny, thats enough in my books.
yeah he doesnt have big TV network sensoring what he can say lol
Maybe its because he has a passion for the subject.
Jay, I agree totally with your comments about seeing the cars in motion and not just as static shots. I think the best way to get the younger crowd interested in "our" cars would be for them to be seen and heard driving around.
I defenitly like the coupe most !
The coups the car. Even the colour. Love it.
I know this video is from 2012, Jay, but if you never got the clock fixed, send it to a shop in New Jersey called Jaguar Clock. I sent them my E Type roadster's dead clock, and an incredibly accurate quartz unit, that still gets its time adjustment from the original chrome knob, was put in. It is so accurate now that the only time I ever have to adjust the time with the knob, is to change from daylight to standard. Lovely XK-120. By the way, I look after my E Type and it doesn't leak a single drop of oil!
My late father in the mid 70's , had a Triumph 2500 TC , if it didn't leak oil he would start to worry , ; P
+commodore665 I remember my brother in law having a 40 something Harley bike back in the late 90's, that he thought was shot because he had finally noticed small spots of oil beneath it in the barn, where he stored it. The bike was extremely NICE.
He ended up selling it to my cousin for what I believe being $100, due to the "leak". Only to have my cousin find that there were weep holes made for the purpose of releasing small amounts of oil, for whatever reason the intent was for. He ended up making a LOT of money on the re-sell of that bike.
Makes one wonder if the Jag was designed the same way, with weep holes, for whatever reason? Just a thought...
+Eli Whitney
maybe speed holes ;)
Any difference in speed holes, as opposed to weep holes. Or are you being wise;-)?
Eli Whitney
yeh , sorry , just messing .
I reckon...
My Dad had an XK150. He loved that car. This video brought back memories.
Thanks.
Keoki johnson Really? Rare!
'...don't write me a letter...' Lol!!!
robzrob
Love that part!!!^_^ Now I know why the video got thumbed down-_-
Waaaah!! Jay made a joke about leaky British engines!!!
(writes angry email and signed: Butt Hurt Jaguar Fanboy):P
Anyone who actually has a Jag of that vintage and takes care of one knows, "If there is not oil under it, put some in." I grew up watching a grandfather do routine maintenance on a 1960 Jag Mark 2 he bought new which always had an oil pan under it in his garage. Loved, loved, loved the sound of that engine, and the smell of engine oil, burl wood, wool carpets and headliner, and leather. Learned to drive stick shift on that car and drive the steepest hills of San Francisco, too, which was not easy given the car's weight when stopped on an uphill at a light. Jay, I have vote for your white 120 convertible with red interior. (Same colors as "my" Jag.) But, I'm glad to drive any Jag with those old engines. The sound and feel of those is like nothing else.
that's an understatement. He's one of the worlds most respected experts on the Duesenberg marque as well
clock working as intended. tea time all the time...
Nothing much beats the joyous smile you get when driving in these car videos !
Your joy is contagious Jay !!
Thank you for sharing with us !!!
Jay looks like a Fred Flintstone squeezed into a dodgem car - the cabin is so small
+TommyTwobats : As an owner of one, I believe the car was designed for a 5'3" driver, plus it has a 19" steering wheel. For someone taller than 5'3", it is not a comfortable car to drive. Regardless, I love my XK120 SE .
TommyTwobats or maybe he’s so big
i have always been and likly will always be a fan of originality. You can not beat the beauty and grace the designers put in these cars. My vote is cast for this one.
Jays Head
Jay you really do have a pretty good sized head....but.... there are some real advantages to having a big head. You might jump ahead and think ‘oh he’s going to say it allows me space for a big brain’. The best you can say about having a bigger brain and improving cognitive function in normal contemporary adults is that having a bigger brain can’t hurt. No, the real advantage is that it allows the potential for you to have larger sinuses. The big sinuses provide a bigger space for the resonance of your voice and allows you to sound good overall but also improves your ability to do your impressions, funny noises and voiced sound effects. The bigger more complex resonance space makes your voice sound interesting and enjoyable. Think about how quickly you notice when someone has blocked sinuses. Also think about what the engineers do with the piping and chambers in exhaust systems to get them to sound just right.
Another advantage is that with a bigger head you get a bigger face which gives you a bigger space to display your facial expressions. This gives you more potential to communicate nonverbally both in that your extreme faces have more impact because they’re bigger and subtle facial expressions are easier to see and come across well on camera or to an audience who may be relatively far away from you compared to normal communication distances.
For the sake of completeness I would also mention that the sinuses act as an immune sampling space as well as a crumple zone protecting the brain from frontal impact - just like in your newer safer cars. Finally, the sinuses in the face, forehead and in the middle of your head make it lighter - Super leggerra Jay ? Anyway there’s a lot here and I won’t go into absolutely all of it ....but again ... you do have a big head and a big face but don’t worry about it - it helps you communicate with your audience and makes you sound good which is clearly very important in your line of business.
If you find a magic lamp in one of your old cars and the genie gives you the opportunity to change the size of one body part ... don’t choose to have a smaller head. Choose something better.
Thank you for the years of work producing this very high-quality content and for all the kind things that you do for people. I love seeing kindness, I love cars and I love watching and hearing you talk about them. Great show.
so true dad
100%! 💥
🙌
I'm in the process of restoring my 1974 Lotus Europa Special. Bought it from my brother who bought it in 1975. When it's done I would love to post pictures of it for you to look at and comment on. It was so fun to drive when I had it out a few years ago, I felt like I was doing something illegal like driving a fast go cart on the streets. Thank you for all your awesome videos, great historical facts and the time you devote for guys like us!
He doesn't own "a" Jaguar, or a Bugatti, or a Duesenberg. He has entire garage sections for each of them.
More like he has garages for each make
Does stand up comedy pay that well?
You gotta love Leno, he finds a good mechanic and basically hires him full time. How many people do that?
..."women like Jaguar: maybe some kind of kitty-connection..." sweet sayer!
That may be the best looking car ever built ! The lines on that car just flow and it has that classic European look. That rounded hard top is just gorgeous !
Cant find the XK120 Roadster video
As a former Jag., XJ 12L (85) owner, I remember the ride and feel of the Jaguar, most unlike American vehicles. However it was alway's a "love & hate" relationship, loved it when it worked & hated it when it did not!
Great stuff Mr. Leno, really appreciate your Garage, and especially enjoy the "ride-along's".
lol 8:10 "petrol gauge" :D
My Dad salvaged one out of a junk yard in Morocco in the 60's. He put a small block Ford in it. I was always fascinated by the wooden blocks that hold the door hinges on. He called it a fixed head coupe. It was repainted Corvette Silver with 12 coats hand rubbed lacquer.
Lucas, princes of darkness
love the old jags,we had a MK3back in the mid 50's in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 30 below winters,could not shift it until it warmed up for 20 mins.
6:39 we like your big giant head, Jay. Keep up the great videos. Do you make any money at this? I don't see any ads on your site. Form the rear it looks like a Delahaye.
Hey Jay - one thing. It's a TH-cam thing I guess, but it is REALLY HARD sometimes to find your videos on youtube. When you mention another car, can you put the link to it on the page? Thanks!
I just searched on "Jay Leno Jaguar" to try to find your video on the roadster and it doesn't turn up. Maybe those B@stards at Google will listen to you. They've really messed up the interface and made it hard to find videos. They keep recommending things they think I want to see and hiding all the good stuff!
literally all his videos are under the same channel as this one
I've got to agree with Jay, I love that you drive the cars in your video's. Not only for the better views of them, but also the sound of them. They are, after all, machines. They all have their own personalities. Sound being one of the traits of many classic machines.
Mr Leno .
I wen´t to find the white XK roadster,but it´s not there. Am I stupid or has it been deleted ?
I have an XJS coupe, but it does not seem so popular .
Thank´s
go to the website
XJ-S's are making a come back. Hang on to yours. I love mine, and people are constantly saying they love the look of the car.
Tis true... i want a v12 before they're too pricey
Pastel blue with slate blue interior trim. Sublime. Love the whine of straight cut gears.
British engineering has only one problem..
.British Manufacturing
British Winters, and cars that were never designed with durability in mind.
The E type and MK2 Jaguars were gorgeous cars to look at, but with heavy use of road salt in our Winters, their bodywork corroded terribly.
Unfortunately, the Uk is not blessed with a Californian climate.
That and Lucas prince of darkness
Jamie Rollinson Is that the same British manufacturing that makes 80% of the current F1 cars?
Perhaps but the smoothest car in the world, at least so far, Jay says the Citroen DS tops that, I'll find out soon enough, my next aquisition.
British manufacturing only had one problem.
The British gouvernment.
Growing up in Coventry both my Dad and Uncle worked for Jag. There were two factories then, Brown’s lane and Radford. On the outskirts of town they built a huge Jaguar hood ornament style statue encorporating direction to the factory for supply trucks.
The electrical system made by "Lucas", God of darkness?
The more I see of Jay, the more impressed I am by his taste in cars!
Hey, Jay! Come on man, please don't offend my fellow Brits' calling all our cars English! Okay, maybe the manufacturing plants were mainly in England, but, the workforce from design to engineering and production came from all over the UK. You keep referring to English and before we know it, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and my home county of Lancashire will be leaving the union - no doubts about that! And, Terri May will have something to say about that too! So, consider you have been, politely, told off! Don't even think about banning me from watching your videos or I will get Donald to back me up! Kindest regards, Bill.
Old jaguars are simply gorgeous. Its great to see one kept original. Takes restrant not to modify a car especially classics. Love it.
I dont want to be negative, but if Jay crashed in this car in 10 mph, I think the steering wheel would go up his :)
Fact is new cars are ugly, expensive, not exciting heaps of aluminum, but they are ridiculously safer then these old cars:)
Safer if you get in an accident, not necessarily as well-designed for the purpose of accident-avoidance. Oversized pillars made to accommodate airbags block your view.
No cars or trucks, made by anyone, were as safe back then as today's cheapest econo-box. Maybe it's just safer to stay at home and enjoy Jay's videos of some of the most beautiful machinery ever made... OK, maybe that could make you late to work but the view would be so much prettier! ;^)
I was talking about a 1958 XK 150 that I drove to High School in Key West, Florida around 1965. Good times.
Why can't Americans say Jaguar correctly, It is pronounced Jag-you-ar. Not Jag-w-ar.
+Paul Marshall Because we speak English, unlike the English.
+cuda426hemi I was expecting someone to come up with that reply. Congratulations you have won the dumbest bastards award!!
+Paul Marshall
Yeah you still have the award, no one uses the Cambridge dictionary, only fuckwits who don't know better.
The Oxford Unabridged English dictionary is the only narrative that should be used for the correct use and pronunciation of the English Language.
Americans think they were the first to do/make everything, the only knowledgeable people in America are not Americans, they are mostly Europeans. Even your President is Irish FFS
America's only claim to fame is the Apollo Moon landings, and that was only possible because instead of prosecuting Nazi scientists for their war crimes, you gave them immunity if they assisted you with a rocket program.
+cuda426hemi Taken your reply off, what a cowardly joke you are!!
+Paul Marshall so you are blind as well as ignorant?
No way. It's much better this way. You don't need to be at home at a certain time to watch nor does it need to be recorded via DVR. That and there's no ad's breaking up the action. That and the content gets updated much more frequently than a TV show would. Jay has enough means to generate revenue. It's extra cool of him to spend his time reaching out to fans and car guys by keeping this free.
I love these cars, especially the coupé version as they made fewer of them so they are more valuable. I've just watched your video on the Talbot-Lago Type 150 CS and you can see where Jaguar got their styling influence from. My father had a 1952 Mark VII Jaguar saloon (registration number MOC 949) in British Racing Green during the 1960's and it truly lived up to the marketing motto of "Grace, pace, space". It had the same 3.4 litre engine as the XK 120 and the same big steering wheel with the pointed nascelle in the middle. It came with a set of Carrington tools in a special compartment in the front doors and the interior door handles were the pistol handle type. I remember we took it across the channel and toured it through France ,Belgium and Holland and the French gendarmes saluted us as we drove off the ferry! They had just completed the M1 at the time and there was no speed limit so my father took it up to 100 MPH just to see if it could do it. They cost less than 1,000 pounds when they first came out and he paid 300 pounds for it seconhand. He eventually sold it as it became difficult to get parts for it. A very sad day for all the family.
My first car was a 1957 XK140MC fixed head coupe. The top was a little longer than yours and it had two little jump seats in the back. It also had the burled wood dash and it had a Blaupunkt radio with 5 bands where your parcel drawer is. It had the 3.4 engine also but it had a C type head so it had more Hp. I later bought a 1969 XKE fixed head coupe, but even though it had the more dependable 4.2 it never sounded as good as that 3.4 when the revs got above 3,500. Sadly I sold it when I got sent to Nam in 1969 as a field medic since I didn't think I'd make it back alive.