{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Jay Leno | A Love of Cars and Comedy","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/jay-leno-a-love-of-cars-and-comedy","audioUrl":"https://pdst.fm/e/mgln.ai/e/1245/traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT7044898660.mp3?updated=1747064503","description":"Jim is joined by comedy legend Jay Leno, who takes him on a journey through his early life, his storied comedy career, and his love for cars. From revealing why pirates wore eye patches to reminiscing about Leno’s teenage summer jobs at car dealerships, their discussion spans a wide array of topics and laugh-out-loud moments. Among Leno’s intriguing stories and insights are his views on modern automotive technology, reflections on memorable guests from his time on “The Tonight Show,” and tales from his early days doing stand-up.\n\nNote from Jim Farley: In this episode, you'll hear Jay and I discuss Ford’s Mustang GTD and our goal of setting a record as the first American automaker to achieve a sub-7 minute lap at the historic Nürburgring track. In the time since we recorded this interview last fall, I'm pleased to say we did exactly that! And in April 2025, we returned to the track and beat our own time by shaving off more than 5 seconds. This was an incredible achievement and I’m so proud of our team! \n\n00:00 Introduction\n\n00:14 Pirate Eye Patch Explanation\n\n03:08 Lessons from the Dealership\n\n03:08 Falling in Love with Cars\n\n04:30 Working at Foreign Motors in Boston\n\n08:41 Motorcycle Enthusiasm\n\n13:25 Technology and Historical Insights\n\n18:22 The Art of Stand-Up Comedy\n\n19:21 Memories of Chris Farley\n\n20:39 Making Guests Comfortable on “The Tonight Show”\n\n22:37 Unexpected Paths to Success\n\n26:06 Favorite Guests and Stories\n\n29:40 The Future of American Cars\n\n35:35 Concluding Thoughts\n\nFollow Jim: \n\nYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Farley\n\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimfarley98/\n\nThreads: https://www.threads.net/@jimfarley98\n\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-farley/\n\nBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jimfarley.bsky.social\n\nTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/jimfarley98\n\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices"},"annotations":[{"startTime":125.0,"endTime":130.0,"type":"part","title":"hubcaps","url":"/glossary/hub-caps","quote":"...maybe 80, 90 sets of hubcaps and you have to take them off at night because kids would steal them.","canonicalId":"part:hub-caps","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Hubcaps are decorative covers that fit over the wheel of a car, primarily used to enhance the vehicle's appearance and protect the wheel nuts from dirt and damage.","simplifiedExplanation":"Hubcaps are the round covers you see on car wheels. They make the wheels look nicer and help keep dirt out of the wheel parts."}},{"startTime":160.09,"endTime":162.05,"type":"car","title":"Ford Falcon","url":"/cars/ford/falcon","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/1963_Ford_Falcon_Sprint_Hardtop.JPG","quote":"...directors.  My dad's got a galaxy and mom's got a Falcon.  I'm saving for a Mustang.","canonicalId":"car:ford:falcon","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"imageAttribution":"GTHO (CC BY-SA 3.0)"}},{"startTime":160.09,"endTime":162.05,"type":"car","title":"Ford Galaxy","url":"/cars/ford/galaxy","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/2021_Ford_Galaxy_Titanium_2.5_Hybrid_-_Front_-_23-12-2021.png","quote":"My dad's got a galaxy and mom's got a Falcon.","canonicalId":"car:ford:galaxy","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Ford Galaxy is a full-size car that was produced by Ford from the 1950s to the 1970s, known for its spacious interior and comfortable ride.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Ford Galaxy is a big car made by Ford that was popular in the past. It's known for being roomy and comfortable.","imageAttribution":"DieselFordMondeo (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":162.23,"endTime":163.01,"type":"car","title":"Ford Mustang","url":"/cars/ford/mustang","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/1966_Ford_Mustang_coupe_white_001.jpg","quote":"I'm saving for a Mustang.","canonicalId":"car:ford:mustang","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car first introduced in 1964, known for its performance and iconic design.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Ford Mustang is a famous sports car made by Ford that has been around since the 1960s. It's known for being fast and stylish.","imageAttribution":"Hans-Jürgen Neubert (CC BY 4.0)"}},{"startTime":217.4,"endTime":225.6,"type":"concept","title":"Italian mechanics","url":"/glossary/italian-mechanics","quote":"...in the basement were like 10 Italian mechanics and they would take care of the owner's race cars and they were just old race cars.","canonicalId":"concept:italian-mechanics","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Italian mechanics, particularly in the context of Ferrari, often have a deep understanding of high-performance vehicles and the specific engineering that goes into them. This expertise is crucial for maintaining and restoring classic race cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"Italian mechanics are skilled workers who fix and maintain cars, especially those made by Italian brands like Ferrari. They know a lot about how these cars work and how to keep them running well."}},{"startTime":225.6,"endTime":228.0,"type":"concept","title":"race cars","url":"/glossary/race-car","quote":"...the owner's race cars and they were just old race cars. And I would just sit around during their break...","canonicalId":"concept:race-car","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Race cars are specially designed vehicles built for competitive motorsport. They are engineered for speed, handling, and performance, often featuring advanced technology and lightweight materials.","simplifiedExplanation":"Race cars are cars made to compete in races. They are built to be very fast and handle well on the track, often using special parts and designs to improve performance."}},{"startTime":340.6,"endTime":340.8,"type":"brand","title":"Peugeot","url":"/glossary/peugeot","quote":"...We had everything Mercedes Benz, Rolls Royce, Pujo, Squire...","canonicalId":"brand:peugeot","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Peugeot is a French automotive manufacturer known for producing a range of vehicles, including compact cars and SUVs. The brand has a long history in the automotive industry and is recognized for its innovative designs.","simplifiedExplanation":"Peugeot is a car brand from France that makes a variety of cars, from small ones to larger SUVs. They have been around for a long time and are known for their unique style."}},{"startTime":340.6,"endTime":340.8,"type":"brand","title":"Mercedes-Benz","url":"/glossary/mercedes-benz-2da6bee1-2c59-4e63-8ca8-f0d3c6600182","quote":"...We had everything Mercedes Benz, Rolls Royce, Pujo, Squire...","canonicalId":"brand:mercedes-benz-2da6bee1-2c59-4e63-8ca8-f0d3c6600182","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Mercedes-Benz is a German automotive brand known for luxury vehicles, buses, and trucks. The brand is recognized for its engineering excellence and innovative technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"Mercedes-Benz is a famous car brand from Germany that makes luxury cars and trucks. They are known for high-quality vehicles and advanced technology."}},{"startTime":340.6,"endTime":340.8,"type":"brand","title":"Citroën","url":"/glossary/citroen","quote":"...any kind of Citroën, any kind of foreign cars, interesting.","canonicalId":"brand:citroen","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Citroën is another French automobile manufacturer known for its innovative and sometimes quirky designs. The brand has a reputation for producing comfortable and practical vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"Citroën is a car brand from France that is known for making unique and comfortable cars. They often have interesting designs that stand out."}},{"startTime":405.09,"endTime":410.81,"type":"car","title":"Rolls-Royce Rolls Royce Corniche","url":"/cars/rolls-royce/corniche-v","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/2000_Rolls-Royce_Corniche_V_in_White%2C_front_left.jpg","quote":"But yeah, so in fact, one day we had a guy who was buying a new Rolls Royce Corniche convertible from us. This is 1969.","canonicalId":"car:rolls-royce:corniche-v","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Rolls Royce Corniche is a luxury convertible that was first introduced in the late 1960s, known for its opulence and craftsmanship. It represents the pinnacle of British luxury automotive engineering.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Rolls Royce Corniche is a fancy car that was made in the late 1960s. It's known for being very luxurious and well-made, often associated with wealth and status.","imageAttribution":"Mr.choppers (CC BY-SA 3.0)"}},{"startTime":663.4,"endTime":670.2,"type":"part","title":"Weber carburetors","url":"/glossary/weber-carburetors","quote":"...you could get four Weber carburetors, which to me, that was the sexiest motor of all time...","canonicalId":"part:weber-carburetors","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Weber carburetors are high-performance carburetors often used in racing and performance applications. They provide better airflow and fuel delivery, enhancing engine performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"Weber carburetors are special parts that help engines get the right amount of fuel and air to run better. They're often used in fast cars."}},{"startTime":670.2,"endTime":675.9,"type":"term","title":"289 V8","url":"/glossary/289-v8","quote":"...the sexiest motor of all time, the 289 V8 with the Webbers on it...","canonicalId":"term:289-v8","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The 289 V8 is a small-block V8 engine produced by Ford, known for its performance in the Mustang and other Ford vehicles during the 1960s. It was popular for its balance of power and size.","simplifiedExplanation":"The 289 V8 is a type of engine made by Ford that has eight cylinders. It was used in cars like the Mustang and is known for being powerful."}},{"startTime":760.69,"endTime":775.53,"type":"car","title":"Brough Superior SS100","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/2021_Brough_Superior_SS100.CH_01.jpg","quote":"I said, I need an exhaust system for an SS-100 Brough Superior in 1927. Oh, yeah, it's got one here.","canonicalId":"car:brough-superior-ss100","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Brough Superior SS100 is a classic motorcycle known for its performance and luxury. It was produced in the 1920s and is often regarded as one of the finest motorcycles of its time.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Brough Superior SS100 is a famous motorcycle from 1927. It's known for being high-quality and fast for its era, making it a sought-after classic.","imageAttribution":"Maysy (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":762.45,"endTime":767.03,"type":"car","title":"Jaguar SS100","url":"/cars/jaguar/ss100","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/1937_Jaguar_SS100_by_Leonida_%26_Co._-39070.jpg","quote":"I remember I called there once.  I said, I need an exhaust system for an SS-100 Brough Superior in 1927.  Oh, yeah, it's got one here.","canonicalId":"car:jaguar:ss100","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Jaguar SS100 is a classic British sports car produced in the late 1930s, known for its elegant design and impressive performance. It is significant not only for its aesthetics but also for its role in establishing Jaguar as a luxury sports car manufacturer, making it a sought-after collector's item today.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Jaguar SS100 is a stylish sports car made in the 1930s that many people admire for its beautiful looks and speed. It's important because it helped make Jaguar a well-known brand for fancy and fast cars.","imageAttribution":"Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":820.75,"endTime":825.65,"type":"car","title":"Ford Model T","url":"/cars/ford/model-t","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/1924_Ford_Model_T_Flivver_IAA_2023_1X7A0610.jpg","quote":"...people at Ford who knew about the metallurgy in a Model T.  Why is that?","canonicalId":"car:ford:model-t","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Ford Model T, produced from 1908 to 1927, is one of the most significant cars in automotive history as it revolutionized mass production techniques and made car ownership accessible to the average American. Known for its simplicity and affordability, the Model T is often credited with changing the landscape of transportation and society in the early 20th century.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Ford Model T is a very important car that was made a long time ago, from 1908 to 1927. It was one of the first cars that many people could afford, and it helped change how cars were made and used in everyday life.","imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1760.09,"endTime":1762.95,"type":"car","title":"Chevrolet Corvette","url":"/cars/chevrolet/corvette","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Chevrolet_Corvette%2C_BAS_24%2C_Brussels_%28P1170387-RR%29.jpg","quote":"...I saw your comment about Mark Royce and breaking the speed record with a Corvette. And I thought it was so awesome that you recognize...","canonicalId":"car:chevrolet:corvette","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Corvette is a high-performance sports car manufactured by Chevrolet, known for its distinctive design and powerful engines. It has a rich history in motorsports and is often associated with speed and performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Corvette is a fast sports car made by Chevrolet. It's famous for being powerful and has been around for many years, often seen in races.","imageAttribution":"Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)"}},{"startTime":1818.01,"endTime":1819.21,"type":"car","title":"Ford Mustang GTD","url":"/cars/ford/mustang-gtd","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/2024_Ford_Mustang_GTD.jpg","quote":"I bought in 2005 about the Ford GT. Yes.","canonicalId":"car:ford:mustang-gtd","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Ford GT is a high-performance supercar produced by Ford, known for its racing heritage and modern design. The latest generation was introduced in 2016, featuring a twin-turbocharged V6 engine and advanced aerodynamics.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Ford GT is a very fast sports car made by Ford. It's designed for high performance and has a racing background.","imageAttribution":"Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1821.2700000000002,"endTime":1825.11,"type":"car","title":"Ford Gt","url":"/cars/ford/gt","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/2021_Ford_GT_2.jpg","quote":"You know, same thing with the Mustang. The Mustang, the Mustang GTD.","canonicalId":"car:ford:gt","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Mustang GTD is a high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang, designed to compete in the supercar segment. It features enhanced performance capabilities and advanced technology compared to standard Mustang models.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Mustang GTD is a special version of the Ford Mustang that is built for high performance and speed.","imageAttribution":"Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1870.0,"endTime":1871.0,"type":"brand","title":"Ferrari","url":"/glossary/ferrari","quote":"...better looking than the Equivalent Ferrari,...","canonicalId":"brand:ferrari","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Ferrari is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer famous for its high-performance vehicles and success in motorsport, particularly Formula 1. The brand is synonymous with speed, luxury, and exclusivity.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ferrari is a famous Italian car company that makes very fast and expensive sports cars. They are known for their racing history and luxury vehicles."}},{"startTime":1885.1,"endTime":1889.6,"type":"concept","title":"Nürburgring","url":"/glossary/nurburgring-ab05d53b-79fd-416b-b4e6-e35f80a14244","quote":"I mean, we're going for sub seven minutes on the ring. And we really want to beat that GT3 RS Porsche with a front wheel drive, a front engine Mustang.","canonicalId":"concept:nurburgring-ab05d53b-79fd-416b-b4e6-e35f80a14244","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Nürburgring is a famous racetrack in Germany known for its challenging layout and is often used for testing and racing high-performance cars. Achieving a sub-seven-minute lap time is a significant benchmark for sports cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Nürburgring is a well-known race track in Germany where many car manufacturers test their vehicles. A sub-seven-minute lap time means a car can complete a lap in under seven minutes, which is very fast."}},{"startTime":1889.6,"endTime":1896.2,"type":"car","title":"Porsche 911 GT3 RS","url":"/cars/porsche/911","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/2013_Porsche_911_Carrera_4S_%28991%29_%289626546987%29.jpg","quote":"We really want to beat that GT3 RS Porsche with a front wheel drive, a front engine Mustang.","canonicalId":"car:porsche:911","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a high-performance variant of the iconic Porsche 911 sports car, designed for track use with enhanced aerodynamics, weight reduction, and a powerful engine. It's known for its exceptional handling and speed.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a super-fast sports car made by Porsche. It's built for racing and has special features that make it very quick and fun to drive.","imageAttribution":"David Villarreal Fernández (CC BY-SA 2.0)"}},{"startTime":1922.4,"endTime":1927.9,"type":"term","title":"carbon fiber wheels","url":"/glossary/carbon-fiber-wheels","quote":"a company called Carbon Revolution came here with these carbon fiber wheels.","canonicalId":"term:carbon-fiber-wheels","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Carbon fiber wheels are made from a composite material that is both lightweight and strong, offering performance benefits such as improved acceleration and handling.","simplifiedExplanation":"These wheels are made from a special material called carbon fiber, which is very light and strong. They help cars perform better."}},{"startTime":1922.4,"endTime":1927.9,"type":"company","title":"Carbon Revolution","url":"/glossary/carbon-revolution","quote":"a company called Carbon Revolution came here with these carbon fiber wheels.","canonicalId":"company:carbon-revolution","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Carbon Revolution is a company known for manufacturing lightweight carbon fiber wheels, which can significantly reduce the weight of a vehicle, improving performance and handling.","simplifiedExplanation":"Carbon Revolution makes special wheels out of carbon fiber, which are much lighter than regular wheels. This helps cars go faster and handle better."}},{"startTime":2011.5,"endTime":2014.3,"type":"term","title":"internal combustion engine","url":"/glossary/internal-combustion-engine","quote":"To me, the EV will save the internal combustion engine. 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It's not fun.","canonicalId":"term:426-hemi","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The 426 Hemi is a legendary V8 engine produced by Chrysler, known for its distinctive hemispherical combustion chambers that allow for better airflow and power. It became famous in the muscle car era for its high performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"The 426 Hemi is a powerful engine made by Chrysler. It's famous for being very strong and was used in many fast cars, especially in the 1960s and 70s."}},{"startTime":2042.6,"endTime":2046.7,"type":"car","title":"Ford Mustang Mach-E","url":"/cars/ford/mustang-mach-e","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/FORD_MUSTANG_MACH-E_China.jpg","quote":"...when we came out with a Mustang Mach-E, everyone's like, it's not a Mustang. It's a Ford.","canonicalId":"car:ford:mustang-mach-e","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Ford Mustang Mach-E is an all-electric SUV that carries the Mustang name, which has sparked debate among enthusiasts about its connection to the traditional Mustang sports car.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a new electric SUV that some people argue doesn't fit the traditional image of a Mustang, which is known for its powerful performance cars.","imageAttribution":"Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":2060.03,"endTime":2063.05,"type":"car","title":"Porsche Cayenne","url":"/cars/porsche/cayenne","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/2023_Porsche_Cayenne_Coup%C3%A9_S_1X7A1674.jpg","quote":"...Porsche did it with the Cayenne and all those other ones too...","canonicalId":"car:porsche:cayenne","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Porsche Cayenne is a luxury SUV that helped Porsche expand its market by offering a more practical vehicle while maintaining performance. 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