Jay Leno teaches his producer to drive his 1925 Ford Model T as they take to the streets of California
Published on Aug 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Aug 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Jay Leno is one of the biggest celebrity gearheads currently walking the face of the Earth and is the proud owner of a Ford Model T.
The legendary former talk show host has a car collection as varied as it is enormous.
One of his most standout pieces in his ever-expanding collection is this 1925 Ford Model T.
And he recently taught his producer how to drive it through the streets of California.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Jay Leno teaches his producer how to drive the 1925 Ford Model T
Jay Leno has a car collection that probably stretches from California to Colorado.
And one of the highlights of the 300-plus strong garage is a gem from the 1920s.
More specifically, the gem in question happens to be a 1925 Ford Model T.
For those who don’t know, the late-night chat-show legend has a strong connection to old Fords.
As a matter of fact, Leno’s first-ever car was a 1934 Ford truck that he learned to drive in.
And now, he’s passing on the art of learning to drive old Ford cars to his producer.
David Swift has been with Jay Leno since his days as an intern on The Tonight Show.
He now serves as one of the main producers of the Jay Leno’s Garage YouTube channel.
For quite a while now, David has been fascinated with the idea of learning how to drive a Ford Model T.
Luckily for David, he finally got to learn how to drive a one.
“This is a brilliant car. This was the iPhone of the day,” Leno exclaims with unbridled joy.
The start-up process for antique cars is a nightmare
Before hitting the road, Jay and David walk through some important start-up processes.
For early cars, that often involved a wind-up crank – not easy at all.
The fuel tank, which feeds the engine, is actually located under the seat.
Jay Leno’s Model T is equipped with an electric starter, an expensive option for that time.
Interestingly, none of the controls are where one thinks they should be.
The hand brake, placed on the left side, also puts the car in Neutral. When the pedal is up, you’re in high gear; when it is down, you’re in low gear.
There is also no accelerator pedal; the throttle is mounted on the steering column, right behind the wheel.
To reverse, the driver actually has to give the car a bit of gas.
The drive puts a grin on David’s face. It is actually a nervous grin, as he feels the steering has a mind of its own, and braking is unlike anything in a modern car.
If you had the chance, would you take a 1925 Ford Model T out on the streets for a drive?
Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
