Jay Leno Showcased Three Classic Automotive Icons
The television personality highlighted historical engineering in a recent look at his personal collection.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Car Types
Live Poll
Do you prefer driving an older, affordable classic car over a modern luxury vehicle?
Jay Leno featured a 1938 American Bantam Roadster, a 1974 Baja Bug, and a 1958 Saab 93B on his program this September. These vehicles represent distinct eras of automotive design and performance engineering.
Why it matters
Showcasing these specific models provides insight into mid-20th-century automotive history and the innovative mechanical solutions manufacturers employed at the time.
The 1938 American Bantam Roadster features a 747 cc inline-four engine producing 20 horsepower, while the 1958 Saab 93B offers 38 horsepower. Original pricing for these models was $449 and $1,895, respectively.
The players
Jay Leno
He is a prominent American television host and a well-known collector of rare and historic automobiles.
The details
The 1974 Baja Bug modification involved replacing steel body panels with fiberglass to reduce weight, while the Saab 93B utilizes a specialized freewheel mechanism that disconnects the engine during coasting. The Baja Bug utilizes a 1.6-liter dual-port engine configured to maximize airflow for cooling.
Timeline
The American Bantam model series first arrived on the market in 1936.
The American Bantam Roadster was produced in 1938.
American Bantam designed its first reconnaissance prototype in 1940.
The Saab 93B production period lasted from September 1957 to August 1959.
The Volkswagen Beetle donor car used for the Baja Bug build is from 1974.
Roadmap
The 1938 American Bantam Roadster illustrates how early American compact design paved the way for modern lightweight vehicles. Its influence on subsequent reconnaissance prototyping highlights the historical legacy that continues to shape current automotive engineering strategies.
These featured classics serve as examples of historical automotive design rather than modern daily drivers. Owners of similar vintage vehicles should anticipate significant maintenance requirements and the need for specialized parts sourcing.
The takeaway
Collectors can preserve history by understanding the specific mechanical limitations and engineering quirks of mid-century vehicles. Implementing regular maintenance schedules is essential for keeping these older machines operational in modern traffic conditions.
Further reading
Discover more about historical vehicle preservation in our Car Types section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Autoevolution.
Live Poll
Do you prefer driving an older, affordable classic car over a modern luxury vehicle?
