Jay Leno’s favorite kind of car show has no awards
I don’t know about you, but cars and coffees are my favorite kind of car show. I like them because there are no awards, there’s no best car/worst car, you simply show up and talk cars for a couple of hours. And I don’t even drink coffee! I’ve never had a cup of coffee in my life. OK, once, with Jerry Seinfeld on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. That was my first cup of coffee ever, and it was my last. It was terrible! Hot, acrid, awful—don’t like coffee.
On Sundays, I used to take a motorcycle out to the famous Rock Store on Mulholland. Then I got a little older, so I decided I should really be taking the cars out more. Especially if I had a TV appearance or some big show, because if I fall off a bike, I’m out. So I’ve been taking the cars, and I meet the best people. Last year at a cars and coffee, I met a 16-year-old kid, Jack Mintz, who has a ’65 Mustang. He had wanted a Mustang since he was 12, and when I met him, he had just earned his license and bought this six-cylinder Mustang hardtop. He did everything a 16-year-old could do on a 16-year-old’s budget, replacing the tires, tuning it up, and polishing everything to within an inch of its life. I had him come to the garage and we shot a video with him. Jim Farley, the president of Ford, saw it and invited Jack to Detroit, where he sat in Farley’s chair and walked the Mustang assembly line. Jack’s a Mustang guy for life now, and the whole thing was just fun. That’s what I like about cars and coffee—it’s literally anything.
Despite what you may have heard, I’m not officially involved in the Malibu cars and coffee. It started at 6 in the morning, and I would get there at 10, right as they were breaking up. I would pull in and talk to Jerry if he was there, and the TV writer Spike Feresten would hold a space for me, and I would stay maybe a half-hour and leave. But this being California, everything causes a problem with somebody and things can get out of hand.
Neighbors were complaining about the noise and guys in Lamborghinis doing burnouts, and the parking lot owner was upset. A reporter from the Los Angeles Times called and asked me what I thought. I said that it seems pretty harmless, that it’s an upscale crowd and they’re spending money on the $4 coffee and $17 turkey sandwiches with avocado, and that you’ll always have a couple of idiots doing burnouts and I understand why people get mad about it.
But the story got reported as “Jay and his gang” are taking over Malibu, and people were saying stuff like, “Maybe Leno would like it if we parked on his lawn.” But I’m not on anybody’s lawn, I’m in a parking space in a parking lot—a parking lot that would otherwise be empty! It became one of those non-stories people talk about for weeks. It even made the Daily Mail in London. The English called it “Leno’s car parade,” like I’m leading a line of hundreds of cars into Malibu.
Oh well, it’s still my favorite kind of car show. The one I go to by my place in Rhode Island is also great, and there’s definitely a difference between East Coast and West Coast collecting. On the West Coast, you often meet people who have a lot of cars. When you go to the East Coast, you meet a lot of guys who have one car, usually in a one- or two-car garage hidden away in some modest neighborhood. It reminds me of when I was a kid growing up in Massachusetts and I would see people polishing their Ford Model As in a one-car garage next to the house.
There’s a lot more personal professionalism versus professional professionalism on the East Coast, because it seems like more of the guys back east are machinists or in some other kind of manual trade and they have the whole winter to do projects on their cars. The Malibu crowd is a little different from, say, the Pomona crowd, of course. But the real “problem” is that in California, it’s beautiful almost every day, so even if you like to work on your own car, it’s hard to get started on any projects because you just want to go drive. Well, I guess that’s a problem I don’t mind having.
Jay, I have long enjoyed your showing the world your automobile collection, as well as your television shows (which I spent watching each night when my duties permitted). I am ever so glad you have been released from the hospital. I pray you will heal well and quickly and go on enjoying your great life. Take good care of yourself.
Wish you all the best Jay, get well soon. Love your show, best episodes when Tim shows up & wants to race…love it!
Signed, ‘57 Chevy guy here in Northern
California.
Jay, I was unnerved when I heard about the report that you’d received serious burns a few weeks ago and can relate as I had a fairly deep 2nd degree burns to my arm when I was a kid and just learning how to drive. I’m so happy to hear that your burns are healing nicely and wish you and your family a healthy and happy holiday season! If you’re ever out in Sherwood, OR we have a decent sized cars and coffee every Saturday from 8-11 and like you, I don’t drink coffee and usually get hot chocolate or sip from my water bottle. Good luck with the Malibu Car Parade (JK) and be well! Best, Mitch
Jay I am glad to hear you are out of the hospital and on the road to recovery. It is great that you could be home to celebrate Thanksgiving with your family. I wish you all the best, you are an awesome car guy!
Marc Moreau
Wishing Jay a speedy recovery!
Hi Jay-
Sending get well wishes from New England where all the cool cars are hibernating for the winter. Here’s to a speedy recovery!
All the best-
Janet
So glad you’re ok my fellow car guy! You always make me smile and laugh, Thank you!
I alway comment to friends I’d like to have a big garage full of cars like Jay Leno! hahaha!
I have a 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS convertible that my aunt bought new in 1964 a sentimental full of memories car and 1976 MG Midget that I’ve had forever that my friends say why don’t you sell that car? No it’s like medicine and therapeutic when I do find time to drive it!
Jay, go take a drive you’ll feel better!
Hi Jay..said a prayer & lit a candle..wish you a speedy recovery..follow all of your shows..82 brings a lot of great memories..your the best..from Jamaica,Queens..God Bless..
Hi Jay..said a prayer & lit a candle..wish you a speedy recovery..watch all your shows..@ 82 brings back a lot of memories..your the best..God Bless..
Jay, wishing you a thorough recovery! Here’s a personal story that indirectly involved you: I’ve been involved with 64-66 Thunderbirds since I was 7 years old, eventually owning 3, now just one ’66. Formerly, I was the 64-66 Model Manager for the Vintage Thunderbird Club International, and helped rewrite the Concours rules and specs in the early 2000s. One day in 2006 I received a phone call from a man who had recently purchased a ’65 T-bird convertible with some questions. A local friend had met him at a car show here in Marin County and referred him. He identified himself as “Tom” at the beginning of the conversation; his voice was slightly familiar. Eventually, he commented that he was a friend of Jay Leno, who had told him that his car should only take a couple thousand dollars to repair it. At that moment, I interrupted him and asked, “Are you Tom Snyder?” He replied, “That’s right! Give me 50 bucks!” Shortly after, he drove his T-bird over to my house and we looked it over, and also talked about his daily driver, a Mercury Mountaineer Hybrid, “The best damned car I ever had”. Jay, I just thought you might enjoy that connection story, which probably woun’t have happened without Tom mentioning you by name. Speedy recovery! We all love you!
Jay –
I wish you well, for a lickety-split recovery – nothing that a little “body work” can’t handle! Stay positive and keep that sense of humor – glad it was not worse for wear!
My husband and I really enjoy your YouTube channel, we learn so much watching your videos and we appreciate your down to Earth style. So sorry for the mishap but glad to hear you’re released and on the road to recovery (pun intended). You’ll be back in the garage in no time. Best wishes!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
From a guy who grew up watching you at night when my parents would fuss at me for not being in bed, to a guy who grew to admire you for being- you. Get well and keep writing these vehicles stories. Continue to collect cars and appreciate the craftsmanship that was applied in creating the.
Jay, so nice to hear you are going back home and on your way to good health. I am a big fan of Jay Leno’s garage and look forward to more programs from you! God bless!!!