Jay Leno Drives 1909 Baker Electric to Detail Early EV Market Failure

MyClassicCarTV

Early electric vehicles lost dominance not to mechanical flaws, but because manufacturers branded them as women's parlors on wheels, alienating male buyers.

AI-assisted summary of Jay Leno's Baker Electric Car — original source. Check the original for full context.

Source published: 2012-11-26

Key ideas

Jay Leno showcases a 1909 Baker Electric featuring an upright glass cabin, direct rear-wheel drive, and an operational top speed of 23 mph. (3:06)
Over 15,000 electric vehicles operated in New York City at the turn of the twentieth century, supported by dedicated urban charging infrastructure. (3:06)
Early electric vehicles were aggressively marketed toward affluent women with parlor-style interiors, which inadvertently created a stigma among male buyers. (3:06)
Leno powers his Baker Electric using twelve modern 6-volt deep-cycle batteries split evenly between the front bonnet and rear compartment. (6:20)

Detailed notes

## Background This video was published on YouTube by MyClassicCarTV on November 26, 2012, from Season 10, Episode 14 of *My Classic Car*. According to the show description, Dennis Gage visits Jay Leno's garage to take a spin in Jay's antique 1909 Baker Electric car.

## TL;DR Dennis Gage tours Jay Leno's garage, first checking out high-horsepower internal combustion projects like a Merlin V12-powered 1934 Rolls-Royce special and a rare Swiss Monteverdi 375 S. Jay then pivots to his answer to fuel consumption: a remarkably preserved 1909 Baker Electric, explaining early EV history, Victorian-era marketing directed at women, and Edison battery tech. The segment culminates with Jay and Dennis taking the tall, tiller-steered carriage out onto modern streets, demonstrating its 23-mph direct-drive cruising speed and quirky parlor-car ergonomics.

## Atmosphere & style The segment carries an upbeat, jovial, and lighthearted camaraderie between two veteran car enthusiasts who clearly revel in oddball machinery. Leno's dry, rapid-fire humor and historical storytelling balance Gage's wide-eyed amusement, especially once they leave the workshop. Watching them cruise down public roads feels charmingly absurd, blending the grandeur of an antique Victorian parlor with the mild adrenaline rush of navigating modern traffic from an upright glass carriage.

## Bulletin - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) Jay Leno showcases a 1909 Baker Electric featuring an upright glass cabin, direct rear-wheel drive, and an operational top speed of 23 mph. - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) Over 15,000 electric vehicles operated in New York City at the turn of the twentieth century, supported by dedicated urban charging infrastructure. - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) Early electric vehicles were aggressively marketed toward affluent women with parlor-style interiors, which inadvertently created a stigma among male buyers. - [06:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=380s) Leno powers his Baker Electric using twelve modern 6-volt deep-cycle batteries split evenly between the front bonnet and rear compartment.

## Key takeaways - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=1s) Leno displays an in-progress 1934 Rolls-Royce custom fastback build powered by a 1,600-horsepower supercharged Merlin aircraft engine with modern fuel injection. - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=1s) The garage houses a rare Swiss-built Monteverdi 375 S, combining a front mid-mounted Chrysler 440 V8 with a bespoke chassis and European coachwork. - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) The 1909 Baker Electric features unique period construction methods, including molded leather fenders to reduce weight and drop-sash railroad windows. - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) Turn-of-the-century electric powertrains were reliable, clean, and turnkey compared to dangerous hand-cranked gasoline cars and temperamental steam engines. - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) Manufacturers tailored electric vehicle interiors with bud vases, vanity mirrors, and plush seating, cementing an association that deterred male consumers. - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) A Beverly Hills regular reportedly utilized an identical Baker Electric for her weekly salon appointments from the mid-1930s until around 2001. - [06:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=380s) The Baker uses direct electric drive without a traditional transmission, producing maximum torque at stall and maintaining 23 mph regardless of incline. - [06:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=380s) Thomas Edison engineered nickel-iron alkaline battery crates aimed at extending EV range, known for their extreme durability and ease of maintenance with distilled water. - [06:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=380s) Cockpit controls are minimal and distinct from modern automobiles, relying on a folding tiller lever and handbrake rather than pedals and a steering wheel. - [10:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=601s) The Baker came equipped with full electric headlamps and interior lights in 1909, contrasting with the match-lit acetylene gas lamps standard on most contemporary vehicles. - [11:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=682s) The tall center of gravity and upright telephone-booth design create substantial body lean and a harrowing sensation at its 23-mph top speed. - [11:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=682s) While 23 mph appears slow by modern metrics, period road conditions were largely unpaved and rutted, where a contemporary Ford Model T topped out around 40 to 42 mph.

## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=1s) Custom V12 Rolls-Royce and the Swiss Monteverdi 375 S

Dennis Gage opens the visit to Jay Leno’s garage, marveling at how Jay always has unbelievable machinery undergoing fabrication. Jay jokingly sneaks into the frame, quipping that Dennis somehow has a key made to the shop. Jay immediately shows off a custom fastback build currently under construction on a 1934 Rolls-Royce chassis. A couple of years earlier, the project was just a rolling chassis with a wooden box on it. Jay’s friend Robin hand-formed the entire aluminum fastback body from scratch, styling it as a period-correct interpretation of what a mid-1930s Rolls-Royce would look like, complete with an aesthetic package planned to be finished in black and red. Under the elongated hood sits a massive supercharged Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engine sourced from a Spitfire fighter plane, fitted with modern Bendix fuel injection. When Dennis wonders how the chassis handles such an immense powerplant and what power it puts out, Jay explains that he hopes for around 1,600 horsepower, deadpanning, “I live in a hilly area so you want to be able to get over you know you get stuck on a hill and oh boy you know so you want to have that little extra oomph to get you over there.”

Sitting right next to the massive Rolls project is another rare curiosity: a Monteverdi 375 S built by Peter Monteverdi, whom Jay notes was born around 1937 or 1938 and stood as essentially Switzerland’s sole automobile manufacturer. While sporting sleek, aggressive coachwork that looks thoroughly Italian, the car is Swiss-engineered, utilizing a proprietary Monteverdi chassis, European suspension, heavy-duty brakes, and a durable American drivetrain: a Chrysler 440 V8 mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Leno explains that in their day, these cars commanded price tags equivalent to contemporary Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Rolls-Royces, describing the concept with vivid color: “It's a bit as if you took your if you took your 1970 Plymouth Road Runner and you send it to college in Europe This is what come back.”

Jay pops the hood to point out how the vehicle achieves balanced handling despite the massive V8 block. The engine is shoved deeply into the firewall underneath the dashboard in a front mid-engine configuration, flanked by dual brake boosters positioned down below. Weighing roughly 3,300 pounds, this particular car was the London Motor Show vehicle and represents one of just four bodies ever built in this specific short-wheelbase style, with the "375 S" designation standing for 375 horsepower and speed. When Dennis remarks on the sheer fuel consumption of a 1,600-horsepower aero engine alongside a 440 big-block during modern gas price spikes, Jay declares he has the ultimate solution to the energy crisis and leads Dennis across the shop.

- **1934 Rolls-Royce Aero Special**: Hand-fabricated custom fastback body by metal shaper Robin, housing an aircraft Spitfire V12 engine converted to Bendix fuel injection with an estimated output of 1,600 hp. - **Monteverdi 375 S**: Swiss grand tourer featuring a front mid-mounted 440 ci Chrysler V8, four-speed manual, proprietary chassis, and European suspension, tipping the scales around 3,300 lb. Only four examples were built in this configuration, with this chassis having served as the London Motor Show display car.

---

[03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) The 1909 Baker Electric and Turn-of-the-Century EV Culture

Jay reveals his answer to the fuel crisis: a pristine 1909 Baker Electric. Resembling an upright carriage with no conventional front hood, Jay likens the driving perspective to steering a tall glass telephone booth. Despite its antique carriage appearance, the Baker incorporated clever period engineering solutions, such as lightweight leather fenders, which Jay dubs the carbon fiber of the Edwardian era. The car features railroad-style drop sash windows that lift up, pull over a sill, and slide down into the doors before the invention of modern hand-crank regulators. Leno notes that the vehicle is shockingly reliable because the electric motor windings were crafted with exceptional turn-of-the-century craftsmanship to alleviate consumer dread, recalling, “People were scared of electricity I mean it was a frightening thing at the time you know it's a bit like hydrogen is now people like wait a minute that Hindenburg thing.”

Leno explains the social dynamics that defined early electric mobility. In the early 1900s, internal combustion vehicles were greasy, violent, and dangerous, requiring rigorous physical strength to set the spark, hand-crank the engine, and manage tricky manual transmissions, while steam-powered cars were notoriously messy, temperamental, and time-consuming to fire up. Consequently, early electric cars were aggressively marketed to affluent urban women. Manufacturers designed the cabins to resemble elegant Victorian parlors or sitting rooms, complete with floral bud vases, beveled vanity mirrors, clocks, and hidden compartments for makeup and face powder. However, this exact marketing strategy ultimately sealed the electric car's domestic fate: men flatly refused to purchase what had been stigmatized as a woman's parlor on wheels.

Despite being confined to this societal niche, the vehicles boasted practical utility in urban centers. Over 15,000 electric vehicles roamed New York City at the turn of the twentieth century, supported by early curb-side and garage charging networks. Jay shares an anecdote about driving the Baker to the Beverly Hills Hotel while his home was being fumigated for termites. The hotel valet immediately recognized the model, asking if it belonged to an elderly regular who had driven an identical Baker Electric to the hotel weekly for hair appointments from 1935 until her passing around 2001.

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Turn-of-the-Century Powertrain Comparison accDescr: Comparison of Steam, Gas, and Electric cars around 1909 leading to the Baker's target demographic and ultimate limitation.

subgraph EarlyPowertrains["Turn-of-the-Century Powertrain Landscape"] Steam["Steam Powered Messy, hot, scary, long boil-up times"] Gas["Internal Combustion Dangerous hand-cranks, smelly, complex gears"] Electric["Electric Motor (Baker) Turnkey, quiet, 100% torque immediately"] end

subgraph MarketingAndStigma["Market Positioning & Outcome"] Demographic["Tailored to Wealthy Women Parlor interior, flower vases, vanity mirrors"] SocialStigma["Relegated as 'women's shopping carts' Men refused to buy them"] ModernLongevity["Surviving Utility 100-mile original range, maintenance-free"] end

Electric --> Demographic Demographic --> SocialStigma Electric --> ModernLongevity ```

- **Baker Electric Construction**: 100% maintenance-free electric motor with heavy industrial windings; hand-molded leather fenders to shave weight; counterweighted railway-type sash drop windows. - **Urban Charging Network**: In the 1900s, approximately 15,000 electric vehicles circulated through New York City with commercial battery-charging stations scattered throughout town. - **Beverly Hills Anecdote**: An original owner reportedly used her Baker Electric as weekly transportation to the Beverly Hills Hotel salon for roughly 66 years, spanning from the mid-1930s into the early 2000s.

---

[06:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=380s) Driving Dynamics, Edison Alkaline Batteries, and Modern Operation

Examining the Baker's mechanical operation, Dennis Gage asks whether the machine runs completely silent and how the drive system is geared. Leno explains that the car has no conventional transmission; drive is direct to the rear axle. Like steam propulsion, the DC electric motor delivers maximum torque at stall, allowing it to conquer steep hills without downshifting or stalling, holding a steady top speed of 23 miles per hour uphill or downhill. Jay warns that cruising downhill at 23 mph feels harrowing due to the high center of gravity and upright telephone-booth profile, which tends to make the car feel like it wants to high-side in turns. Nevertheless, the silent and odorless cruising makes it a family favorite for viewing Christmas lights around the holidays, with Jay noting that wild deer will casually stroll right up to the curved glass windows because the car emits neither fumes nor mechanical noise.

```mermaid flowchart LR accTitle: Baker Electric Power and Control Layout accDescr: Flowchart illustrating battery layout to tiller steering control and direct drive motor.

subgraph BatteryBanks["6V Deep-Cycle Battery Banks (12 Total)"] FrontBank["Front Bay: 6 Batteries"] RearBank["Rear Bay: 6 Batteries"] end

subgraph Controls["Cabin Controls"] KeyMaster["Master Key & Voltage Meter"] Handbrake["Mechanical Handbrake"] TillerArm["Steering Tiller & Speed Selector"] end

subgraph Drivetrain["Direct Propulsion"] DirectMotor["Direct-Drive Electric Motor (Instant Torque, No Transmission)"] Wheels["Rear Axle / Road Wheels (Top Speed: ~23 MPH)"] end

BatteryBanks --> KeyMaster KeyMaster --> TillerArm Handbrake -.->|Release| Wheels TillerArm --> DirectMotor DirectMotor --> Wheels ```

Jay presents an original antique charging station alongside an authentic set of Thomas Edison nickel-iron alkaline battery crates. Edison had developed his alkaline cells specifically hoping to double the operating range of electric vehicles. Although the batteries fell short of making electric vehicles long-distance touring cars, their construction was remarkably resilient: operators could merely flush them out, add distilled water, clean the terminals, and run them continuously for years. Jay humorously slips during the explanation: > “I'm sorry I'm sorry Mr Edison I said acid it's distilled water.”

Examining a period magazine advertisement featuring a young woman appealing to an older gentleman with the caption "Daddy, get me a Baker," Jay jokes about the suggestive and racy undertones of early advertising. While the Edison storage crates can still be used, Jay keeps the vehicle running on twelve modern 6-volt deep-cycle golf cart batteries split evenly between compartments, placing six under the front bonnet and six under the rear deck. The layout provides ample amperage and voltage to maintain original performance. To demonstrate the driving process, Jay invites Dennis into the plush cabin. With no steering wheel, pedals, or conventional dashboard, control is handled entirely through a folding horizontal tiller bar on the left side, a ratcheting handbrake lever, and a master ignition key that brings the analog dashboard voltmeter alive before silently rolling out of the garage.

[10:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=601s) High-Perched Cruising and 1909 Electric Lighting

Cruising down the street in the 1909 Baker Electric, Dennis Gage remarks that the luxurious interior feel alone is well worth the price of admission, describing the ambiance as reminiscent of a vintage department store's menswear or lingerie counter. Jay Leno notes that the upright cabin gives the driver an exceptional perch above contemporary street traffic, creating a distinct feeling of superiority over modern eco-conscious drivers. Jay jokes, “And the nice thing is you look down on Prius owners with their gas polluting three cylinder whatever that is motor this is electricity only and everything even the lights are electric on this.”

Jay points out that having electric lighting all around was an extraordinary luxury and engineering feat for 1909, an era when the vast majority of automobiles still depended on acetylene gas lamps that had to be lit manually with matches. Jay remarks, “Electric lights were a big deal in 1909 most cars still had gas lamps so this was all electric.” He jokes that whenever he and his wife take the Baker Electric out to dinner, he simply parks the car and walks away leaving the headlights burning just because he can. Taking the vehicle down a slight grade, Jay observes that coasting downhill draws less power from the batteries, though he points out the obvious mechanical limitation of early 20th-century electric vehicles: there is no regenerative braking or modern energy-recovery system at work. Furthermore, with the vehicle being roughly as tall as it is long, the suspension provides virtually no cushioning against road imperfections.

- **Lighting Innovation**: The Baker Electric used fully integrated electric headlamps and exterior lights in 1909, contrasting with the era's standard match-lit gas/acetylene lanterns. - **Ride Profile**: The car features an extremely tall center of gravity with rudimentary carriage suspension, meaning drivers feel every bump and lean. - **Powertrain Characteristics**: Coasting downhill significantly reduces power draw, but the 1909 system lacks regenerative braking.

---

[11:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=682s) Dennis Gage Takes the Tiller

Jay offers Dennis Gage the chance to pilot the Baker Electric, relinquishing the steering tiller. Dennis quickly discovers that navigating a tall, narrow carriage without a conventional steering wheel is far more hair-raising than it looks from the passenger seat. Dennis admits, “This is a little unnerving Jay this just a you see suddenly 23 mph is pretty damn scary I will never complain again.” Despite the visceral thrill of traveling flat-out at just over twenty miles per hour, Dennis acknowledges that once a driver acclimates to the delicate tiller movements, the quiet electric glide becomes remarkably smooth and relaxing, which Jay notes makes it an ideal runabout for admiring neighborhood Christmas light displays.

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Period Automotive Speed and Engineering Comparison accDescr: Comparison of performance, road conditions, and steering controls between the 1909 Baker Electric and contemporary era vehicles like the Ford Model T.

subgraph Baker["1909 Baker Electric"] B1["Top Speed: ~23 mph"] B2["Steering: Direct Tiller / Lever"] B3["Chassis: Upright, Top-Heavy Carriage"] end

subgraph PeriodContext["Early Automotive Era Realities"] C1["Unpaved / Rutted Dirt Roads"] C2["Hand Signatures Awkward Around High Windows"] end

subgraph ICE["Contemporary Gasoline (e.g., Ford Model T)"] T1["Top Speed: ~40–42 mph"] T2["Steering: Conventional Steering Wheel"] end

Baker --> PeriodContext ICE --> PeriodContext ```

Dennis jokes about the commercial potential of such a leisurely pace, noting, “I would think as a taxi'd be great cuz you don't go very fast the meter just keeps running and running.” Jay puts the car's performance into historical perspective, explaining that while 23 mph seems modest today, a contemporary Ford Model T could only reach roughly 40 to 42 mph on the unpaved, rutted dirt roads of the late 1900s and early 1910s. Dennis notes that even basic driving actions like sticking an arm out the window to make hand signals remain awkward due to the car’s high waistline and upright greenhouse, emphasizing that automotive ergonomics were still in their infancy.

- **Maximum Velocity**: The Baker Electric cruises flat-out at 23 mph, whereas contemporary mass-market gasoline competitors like the Model T managed 40 to 42 mph. - **Period Road Conditions**: Speeds in the low 20s were considered substantial given the rough, unpaved terrain of early 20th-century roads. - **Driver Ergonomics**: The high window sills make exterior hand signaling difficult, requiring the driver to reach far out around the cabin.

---

[13:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=782s) Return and Show Outro

Having successfully navigated the residential run without incident, Dennis guides the Baker Electric safely back to the garage. Dennis wraps up the segment by previewing the upcoming episode of *My Classic Car*, announcing a journey to Mount Washington in New Hampshire to cover the historic "Climb to the Clouds" hill climb competition featuring classic race cars, along with practical garage tips on inspecting and replacing underhood rubber hoses and bushings. Dennis signs off with his signature closing line: "Until our next meeting, remember: honor the timeless classics." Jay Leno adds a final humorous plug for early alternative propulsion, shouting to the audience: “Save the planet drive an electric car.”

## Notable quotes > [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) People were scared of electricity I mean it was a frightening thing at the time you know it's a bit like hydrogen is now people like wait a minute that Hindenburg thing. — Jay Leno

## Mentioned Jay Leno, Dennis Gage, 1909 Baker Electric, 1934 Rolls-Royce Aero Special, Monteverdi 375 S, Peter Monteverdi, Rolls-Royce Merlin, Bendix, Chrysler, Thomas Edison, Ford Model T, Toyota Prius, Beverly Hills Hotel, My Classic Car, Mount Washington

## Video description Jay Leno takes us for spin in his 1909 Baker Electric.

#tesla #electriccar #ev

My Classic Car S10E14

[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc)

中文简报

杰·雷诺试驾1909年款贝克电动车，剖析早期电动车败局早期电动车失去主导地位并非由于机械缺陷，而是因为制造商将其定位为“轮上女性会客室”，从而劝退了男性买家。丹尼斯·盖奇参观了杰·雷诺的车库，首先鉴赏了诸如搭载默林V12引擎的1934年款劳斯莱斯特别定制车，以及稀有的瑞士蒙特威尔第375 S等大马力内燃机藏品。随后杰将话题转向他对油耗问题的解答：一辆保存状况极佳的1909年款贝克电动车，并讲解了早期电动车历史、维多利亚时代针对女性的营销策略以及爱迪生电池技术。节目最后，杰和丹尼斯驾驶着这辆高车身、舵柄转向的“马车”驶上现代街道，展示了其23英里/小时的直驱巡航速度以及独特的客厅式人体工学设计。杰·雷诺展示了一辆1909年款贝克电动车，该车配备直立式玻璃座舱与后轮直驱系统，最高行驶时速为23英里。 (3:06) 20世纪初，在专门的城市充电基础设施支持下，有超过1.5万辆电动车在纽约市运行。 (3:06) 早期电动车以客厅风格的内饰大力推销给富裕女性，这无意中在男性买家中形成了抵触心理。 (3:06) 雷诺使用12块现代6伏深循环电池为他的贝克电动车供电，这些电池平分在前发动机舱和后车厢中。 (6:20)

Detailed notes — zh

## Background 本期视频由 YouTube 频道 MyClassicCarTV 于 2012 年 11 月 26 日发布，节选自汽车节目《My Classic Car》第 10 季第 14 集。页面简介显示，知名汽车收藏家兼主持人杰·雷诺（Jay Leno）将带领观众试驾他收藏的一辆 1909 年产贝克电动车（Baker Electric）。 ## TL;DR 节目首先走访了杰·雷诺的私人车库，展示了搭载喷火战斗机 V12 航空发动机的 1934 年劳斯莱斯定制改装车以及极其罕见的瑞士蒙特威尔第跑车。随后，雷诺重点介绍了面对高油价的百年方案——1909 年的贝克电动车，剖析了其免维护电机、全电动车灯、以及早年被包装为“上流女性购物客厅”而遭男性排斥的历史定位。最后，雷诺与主持人丹尼斯·盖奇一同开着这台如同“移动电话亭”的古董车上路试驾，体验无方向盘的转舵手柄操控与 23 英里时速下的独特行驶质感。 ## Atmosphere & style 整期节目洋溢着轻松诙谐、充满机智调侃与老友叙旧般的愉悦氛围。杰·雷诺妙语连珠，将硬核的早期机械结构与时代社会心理巧妙编织在脱口秀式的幽默桥段中。当两人钻进高耸狭窄的古董车厢穿行于现代车流，面对晃晃悠悠的舵柄转向时，那种从最初的慌乱惊悚逐渐过渡到惬意兜风的情感起伏，赋予了这段百年前的电动出行历史极为生动鲜活的临场感。 ## Bulletin - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) 杰·雷诺展示了其私人车库珍藏的1909年贝克电动车（Baker Electric），该车满电续航可达100英里（约160公里），极速为23英里/小时。 - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) 早期电动车虽拥有零启动维护、即时全扭矩及全电车灯等前瞻技术，但因免手摇曲柄被过度包装为女性代步座驾，导致男性买家排斥而限制了市场发展。 - [06:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=380s) 该车依靠前后舱共12块6伏深循环电池驱动，操控完全舍弃方向盘改用操纵舵杆（tiller），无现代动能回收系统且重心极高。 - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=1s) 雷诺还展示了一台搭载二战喷火战斗机航空引擎、目标输出1600马力的定制劳斯莱斯，以及仅生产4台的瑞士蒙特威尔第375 S跑车。 ## Key takeaways - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=1s) 雷诺正在打造一辆搭载二战喷火战斗机罗尔斯·罗伊斯V12引擎的1934年劳斯莱斯跑车，目标动力达1600马力。 - [01:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=65s) 瑞士小众制造商彼得·蒙特威尔第打造的375 S将美式克莱斯勒440引擎与欧洲底盘工艺结合，产量极少且售价当年可媲美法拉利。 - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) 1909年贝克电动车电机绕组质量极高，在雷诺收藏中是唯一一辆达到100%零维护标准的百年古董车。 - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) 20世纪初仅纽约市就有约15,000辆贝克电动车穿梭行驶，城市街头甚至配有原始充电设施网络。 - [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) 贝克电动车座舱采用客厅化装潢，配备花瓶、挂钟与化妆盒，这种过度偏向女性的营销策略使其失去了庞大的男性消费群体。 - [06:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=380s) 爱迪生曾专为电动车研发碱性蓄电池以将续航翻倍，车主只需清洗电池并加注蒸馏水即可反复使用多年。 - [06:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=380s) 贝克电动车采用直驱电机驱动，启动即输出全额扭矩，能够以23英里/小时的恒定极速攀爬任何陡坡。 - [06:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=380s) 车内摒弃了传统圆形方向盘，完全依靠驾驶席前的摆动舵杆（tiller）操控转弯，且早期未配备转向灯需伸出手打手势。 - [10:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=601s) 在多数汽车仍依赖瓦斯煤气灯照明的1909年，贝克电动车便已实现包括全电大灯在内的整车全电气化配置。 - [11:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=681s) 由于车身高耸如“移动电话亭”且重心极高，搭配几乎聊胜于无的早期悬挂，其23英里时速在现代驾驶中仍极具惊险感。 - [11:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=681s) 在早期未经硬化铺装的土路时代，贝克电动车的23英里极速已足够契合日常代步，表现不逊于同时期极速约40英里的福特T型车。 ## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=1s) 探访杰·雷诺的车库：劳斯莱斯怪兽与瑞士蒙特威尔第丹尼斯·盖奇（Dennis Gage）来到他心目中地球上最棒的圣地之一——杰·雷诺（Jay Leno）的私人车库。雷诺像个幽灵般神出鬼没地现身，开玩笑说自己特意配了把钥匙。雷诺首先向盖奇展示了一辆正在打造车身的巨型怪兽：底盘来自一辆1934年的劳斯莱斯（Rolls-Royce），搭载的是二战喷火战斗机（Spitfire）使用的罗尔斯·罗伊斯航空发动机。车身由雷诺的朋友罗宾（Robin）纯手工敲打成型，设计风格借鉴了1930年代中期的溜背造型（Fastback）。为了让这个庞然大物平稳运转，他们还为其加装了本迪克斯（Bendix）燃油喷射系统。谈到动力预期，雷诺幽默地表示：“希望大约能有1600马力，我住的地方坡道多，要是卡在半坡上可不好受，所以总得要点额外的冲劲才能爬上去。” 随后雷诺指向旁边一辆罕见的跑车，出自瑞士唯一且极其小众的汽车制造商彼得·蒙特威尔第（Peter Monteverdi）之手。这辆车外表极具意大利超级跑车的流畅美感，骨子里却采用了纯正的美式动力核心——克莱斯勒（Chrysler）440立方英寸发动机和四速变速箱，搭配欧洲研发的悬挂、制动与蒙特威尔第自制底盘。其当年售价昂贵，与法拉利、兰博基尼和劳斯莱斯不相上下。雷诺形象地打趣道：“这感觉就像是你把一辆1970年的普利茅斯‘路跑者’（Plymouth Road Runner）送到欧洲去念了个大学，毕业回来的就是这么个模样。” - **劳斯莱斯定制跑车**：1934年劳斯莱斯底盘，配喷火战斗机V12航空引擎，目标输出约1600马力，未来将涂装为黑底配红线条。 - **蒙特威尔第（Monteverdi 375 S）**：该特定车身款式仅打造了4台，展车曾参展伦敦车展；“375 S”代表375马力与高速（Speed）；全车重约3300磅（约1.5吨），发动机后移至仪表板下方，呈现近似中置引擎的配重。 --- ### [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) 应对高油价的百年方案：1909年贝克电动车与女性专属定位面对现代高昂的油价，雷诺给出了他的终极解决方案——一辆1909年产的贝克电动车（Baker Electric）。雷诺形容开这辆车“感觉就像是在开一个电话亭”。虽然没有传统长车头，但它融合了当时极具前瞻性的科技：例如皮质挡泥板（雷诺戏称为“当年的碳纤维”，极致轻量化）以及类似老式火车车厢的机械式提拉升降车窗。令雷诺赞不绝口的是其工业可靠性：“我不得不说，这是我唯一一辆100%零维护的汽车；我的意思是，虽然我给它重新上了漆并做了翻新，但电机的绕组质量实在太高了，它根本就不会坏。” 世纪之交的普通大众对电力充满畏惧，这种心理和如今人们对氢能源汽车联想到兴登堡空难如出一辙。当时燃油车需要费力手摇曲柄起动、频繁挂挡调风门，蒸汽机车又脏又繁琐，于是安静平顺的电动车被专门包装并营销为上流社会妇女的外出购物座驾。车厢内部被布置得如同一间精致的女式客厅，配备了花瓶、挂钟以及隐藏着面粉扑和口红的精美化妆盒。然而，这种过度偏向女性化的包装反倒成了诅咒——没有男性愿意买一辆“女人的车”，使得早期电动车的市场空间受到严重挤压。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 20世纪初贝克电动车市场定位与产品逻辑 accDescr: 展示1909年贝克电动车的技术优势、车内定制功能以及导致其受限的社会营销因素。 subgraph Tech["早期技术优势"] T1["电驱动即时全扭矩 无需离合与换挡变速箱"] T2["高品质电机绕组 近乎免维护且零排放"] T3["前卫轻量化材料 皮革挡泥板 + 提拉车窗"] end subgraph Features["针对女性车主的车内座舱设计"] F1["客厅化装潢：花插与典雅挂钟"] F2["集成式梳妆暗格：面霜与化妆品"] F3["免手摇曲柄启动，干净优雅"] end subgraph Reception["社会接受度与市场反响"] R1["免除汽油车手摇曲柄起动与蒸汽机污垢"] R2["被普遍打上'妇女购物代步车'刻板标签"] R3["男性车主拒绝购买，市场受限"] end Tech --> Features Features --> Reception ``` - **单次续航里程**：在满电状态下可达100英里（约160公里）。 - **历史保有量**：在20世纪初，仅纽约市就有大约15,000辆贝克电动车在穿梭行驶，街头遍布充电设施。 - **比弗利山庄轶事**：雷诺曾因家里灭白蚁给房子套大棚，和妻子开着贝克电动车住进比弗利山庄酒店。酒店门童见状惊呼问雷诺这是不是某位熟客老太太的车——原来那位老夫人从1935年一直到2001年左右，每周都会开着一辆贝克电动车去该酒店做头发，坚持了将近半个世纪。 --- ### [06:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=380s) 23英里极速、爱迪生电池与直杆转向试驾贝克电动车采用直驱系统，没有传统变速箱。正如雷诺指出的那样，电驱动与蒸汽机一样，在启动瞬间就能释放全部扭矩，因此它可以以23英里/小时（约37公里/小时）的恒定速度爬上任何陡坡。但这辆车下坡时需要格外当心，因为重心过高，在23英里的极速下极易发生侧翻危险。雷诺还分享了一件温馨的趣事：每逢圣诞节，他和妻子都会开着它出门赏灯；由于这辆车没有内燃机的轰鸣与尾气异味，路边的野生鹿群甚至会毫不畏惧地主动走上前，贴着弧形玻璃往车厢里好奇张望。雷诺展示了当年的原始壁挂充电桩配件以及珍贵的托马斯·爱迪生（Thomas Edison）碱性蓄电池组。当年爱迪生发明碱性电池就是为了让电动车的续航里程翻倍，车主只需清洗蓄电池并注入蒸馏水即可反复使用多年（雷诺纠正了自己一开始误说的“注入酸液”）。在实车日常使用中，雷诺在前储物舱与后储物舱各放置了6块现代深循环6伏蓄电池（共12块），提供更充沛的动力支持。随后盖奇受邀钻进宽敞的车厢进行试驾。车内完全看不到传统的圆形方向盘，而是采用一根可左右摆动的操纵舵杆（tiller）来控制转向。雷诺松开手刹，转动钥匙，仪表盘上的电压表指针立刻弹起。伴随着清脆的脚踏警示铃铛声，这辆历经百年的优雅“移动电话亭”无声地驶上了车库外的柏油路。 - **动力系统规格**：前后共布置12块6伏深循环电池（高安培放电，类似于高尔夫球车电池），前舱6块，后舱6块。 - **复古广告趣闻**：雷诺展示了一副当时的贝克原厂海报，画面上一位年轻女孩坐在车内，文案写着“爸爸，给我买辆贝克吧”；雷诺调侃海报里的年长男人看起来与其说是父亲，倒不如说像个心怀鬼胎的古怪国会议员。 - **操控机构**：全车依靠驾驶座前的操纵舵杆（tiller）左右推拉转弯，起步时只需释放手刹转动通电钥匙即可平稳滑行。 ### [10:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=601s) 居高临下的视野与纯电车灯的优越感两人继续驾驶着这辆 1909 年的贝克尔电动车（Baker Electric）穿梭于现代车流之中。车厢独特的双向对坐布局和华丽装潢让杰·雷诺（Jay Leno）戏称这简直就像是置身于百货公司的男装部或内衣专柜，光是这番奇特的乘车体验就已值回票价。更让他们感到乐趣十足的是车身极高带来的坐姿优势，居高临下俯瞰周围的现代车辆，油然而生一种优越感。杰·雷诺更是拿现代混动车主开起了玩笑，调侃道：“而且最棒的是你能俯视那些普锐斯（Prius）车主，看着他们那台排放废气的不知是什么三缸发动机，而我们这台可完完全全只靠电力驱动。” 除了动力总成之外，这辆车上的所有配置也全靠电力驱动，就连大灯都是电灯。杰·雷诺特别强调，在 1909 年那个绝大多数车辆仍在依赖乙炔或煤气灯（gas lamps）照明的年代，全电气化车灯绝对算得上是一项石破天惊的大配置。他还开玩笑说，平时和妻子开车出去吃饭时，自己停完车甚至就大摇大摆地把大灯一直亮着。不过，受限于这辆车又高又窄的“高头大马”身材，它的悬挂系统几乎聊胜于无，驾驶者绝不会想要开得太快；当下坡时车辆能耗自然降低，但毕竟是百年前的技术，车上完全不存在任何现代意义上的动能回收制动（regenerative braking）系统。 - 1909 年的贝克尔电动车已配备全电动车灯，而当时多数汽车仍在使用传统的瓦斯/燃气灯。 - 车身比例高大且重心极高，悬挂减震性能极为有限，完全缺乏现代电动车的动能回收系统。 --- ### [11:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=681s) 舵柄操控初体验与 23 英里每小时的极速惊魂按照节目一贯的传统，杰·雷诺将驾驶权交给了丹尼斯·盖奇（Dennis Gage）。面对这台没有方向盘、只能依靠转舵手柄（tiller / rudder）转向的古董车，盖奇一开始显得有些手足无措，甚至感到阵阵心慌。杰·雷诺随即打趣道：“你看，突然之间 23 英里每小时就变得相当吓人了吧。”盖奇忍不住服软，直呼自己以后再也不抱怨速度慢了。然而，在以全油门（flat out）速度狂奔了一小段路后，盖奇逐渐掌握了转舵手柄的力道与节奏，开始真正享受这趟旅程，并感叹这种开法既独特又令人放松。杰·雷诺赞同地表示，如果开着它慢慢穿行在街区看圣诞节彩灯，那简直是无与伦比的享受。盖奇甚至调侃这车如果拿去当计程车绝对非常合适，因为车速很慢，计价器可以一直在那里滴答滴答跑个不停。杰·雷诺随后结合历史背景补充道，在当年福特 T 型车（Model T）的最高时速也只有大约 40 至 42 英里，而贝克尔电动车能达到 23 英里每小时，加上当时的道路大多没有硬化铺装，这样的速度在当年其实完全能够满足日常代步需求。不过，要在如此高头大马且重心极高的车里伸出手去打手势转向信号依然是个技术活，车子的某些人体工程学设计在当年仍处于摸索阶段。 ```mermaid flowchart LR accTitle: 1909 Baker Electric vs Modern Driving Experience accDescr: 流程图对比了贝克尔电动车的操作特点以及带给现代驾驶者的心理与物理感受。 subgraph Operation ["驾驶操控特性"] Tiller["转舵手柄 (Tiller) 转向"] Throttle["全开油门 (极速 23 mph)"] HandSignals["探身窗外打手势转向"] end subgraph Dynamics ["车辆动态反馈"] TopHeavy["重心高、悬挂几乎缺位"] UnpavedContext["历史语境：契合早期土路路况"] end subgraph Experience ["现代驾驶体验"] Nerve["初试时的紧张与惊悚感"] Relaxed["适应后的悠闲与巡航享受"] end Tiller --> TopHeavy Throttle --> Nerve TopHeavy --> Nerve Throttle --> UnpavedContext Nerve --> Relaxed HandSignals --> Relaxed ``` - 贝克尔电动车的最高时速约为 23 英里（约 37 公里/小时），而同期的福特 T 型车极速约为 40 至 42 英里/小时。 - 早期汽车尚未配备电子转向灯，驾驶者需要吃力地探出车外用手势示意转向。 --- ### [13:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=780s) 试驾凯旋与下期预告安全返回终点后，盖奇长舒一口气，庆祝两人顺利完成了这次古董电动车之旅。在节目结尾，盖奇向观众预告了下一期的精彩内容：节目组将前往新罕布什尔州的华盛顿山（Mount Washington），参加著名的“冲向云霄”（Climb to the Clouds）历史悠久的登山赛，看各类经典赛车如何经受严酷坡道的终极考验；此外，节目还将详细介绍车辆发动机舱内橡胶管路及配件的更换保养指南。在标志性的告别台词中，盖奇叮嘱观众不忘铭记永恒经典（“Honor the Timeless Classics”），并祝大家行车愉快；而意犹未尽的杰·雷诺则在旁边幽默地补充道：“拯救地球，去开电动车吧（Save the planet, drive an electric car）”，为这期跨越百年的电动车体验画上了兼具历史感与时代讽刺趣味的句号。 - 下期节目预告：新罕布什尔州华盛顿山的“冲向云霄”（Climb to the Clouds）经典登山赛。 - 技术知识点预告：汽车发动机舱内橡胶件（underhood rubber）的检修与更换。 ## Notable quotes > [03:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc&t=186s) 我不得不说，这是我唯一一辆100%零维护的汽车；我的意思是，虽然我给它重新上了漆并做了翻新，但电机的绕组质量实在太高了，它根本就不会坏。 — 杰·雷诺 ## Mentioned 杰·雷诺 (Jay Leno), 丹尼斯·盖奇 (Dennis Gage), 劳斯莱斯 (Rolls-Royce), 喷火战斗机 (Supermarine Spitfire), 罗宾 (Robin), 本迪克斯 (Bendix), 彼得·蒙特威尔第 (Peter Monteverdi), 克莱斯勒 (Chrysler), 普利茅斯‘路跑者’ (Plymouth Road Runner), 蒙特威尔第 375 S (Monteverdi 375 S), 法拉利 (Ferrari), 兰博基尼 (Lamborghini), 贝克电动车 (Baker Electric), 托马斯·爱迪生 (Thomas Edison), 丰田普锐斯 (Toyota Prius), 福特 T 型车 (Ford Model T), 华盛顿山 (Mount Washington) ## Video description Jay Leno takes us for spin in his 1909 Baker Electric. #tesla #electriccar #ev My Classic Car S10E14 [Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhnjMdzGusc)

Source quotes

[3:06] 杰·雷诺: 我不得不说，这是我唯一一辆100%零维护的汽车；我的意思是，虽然我给它重新上了漆并做了翻新，但电机的绕组质量实在太高了，它根本就不会坏。

Source quotes

[3:06] Jay Leno: People were scared of electricity I mean it was a frightening thing at the time you know it's a bit like hydrogen is now people like wait a minute that Hindenburg thing.

Original transcript

[0:01] hi I'm Dennis Gage thanks for tuning in [0:02] to my classic car home with a certified [0:04] carnut today I'm in one of my favorite [0:06] plac on Earth Jay Leno shop Jay's always [0:09] got such cool stuff I never know what [0:10] he's going to be working on so it's [0:12] always a thrill for me too there he is [0:14] but there's Jay I don't know how he gets [0:17] in here he's like a ghost oh hey Dennis [0:20] I actually had a keym made good to see [0:23] you it's yeah it's always a pleasure Jay [0:26] it's always a pleasure what uh so what's [0:27] new man uh well we we just [0:30] been making a body for this you may have [0:32] seen this a couple years ago it w had a [0:34] big wooden box didn't have a body on it [0:37] um and uh my friend Robin uh he uh he [0:41] kind of hand formed this whole thing [0:43] it's not based on anything it's just [0:44] sort of a uh interpretation of what a [0:47] mid-30s Rolls would look like it's a 34 [0:49] rolls chassis this is the uh Spitfire [0:53] engine the uh out of the fighter plane [0:56] uh so we went with just kind of a [0:57] Fastback original design using all the [0:59] styling L cues from the from the 30s so [1:03] it looks it looks period it'll it'll be [1:04] cool when it'll be done it'll be black [1:06] with red and well such a monstrous [1:07] engine and the rolls chassis is fine [1:10] with holding something that big seem be [1:12] seems to be seems to be so we're putting [1:15] a BX fuel injection on it oh man the [1:17] whole deal yeah what kind of horsepower [1:18] is that going to uh hopefully about [1:20] 1,600 I hope I live in a hilly area so [1:23] you want to be able to get over you know [1:25] you get stuck on a hill and oh boy you [1:26] know so you want to have that little [1:27] extra oomph to get you over there next [1:30] to it there's a is a kind of a unique [1:32] car there's a guy named Peter Monti who [1:34] uh who was a Swiss guy I guess he was [1:37] born about 1937 1938 uh he's really the [1:40] only Swiss car manufacturer and what he [1:42] would do U he would use Chrysler running [1:45] gear it looks very Italian it does look [1:48] Italian but it's really more Swiss it's [1:50] a it's a 440 Chrysler with a Chrysler [1:53] running gear and four-speed with uh [1:55] European brakes and suspension and his [1:57] own chassis these were quite expensive [1:59] cars these were just as expensive as a [2:01] Rolls-Royce or not well yeah Rolls-Royce [2:03] Ferrari Lamborghini and it's a bit as if [2:06] you took your if you took your 1970 [2:08] Plymouth Road Runner and you send it to [2:11] college in Europe This is what come back [2:13] yeah it be set of a more more more still [2:17] Hood yeah yeah here I'll show you I mean [2:19] they it handles pretty nicely because [2:21] the engine is set pretty far back it's [2:24] almost sort of Mid Engine you know I [2:26] mean it's right up under the dash uh the [2:29] both break boosters are down under here [2:31] pretty lightweight it's about 3,300 lb [2:34] this one here was the London show car [2:37] they only Built four bodies in this [2:39] particular style this is the 375s that [2:42] means 375 horsepower speed that's for [2:45] Speed and uh gee it goes great well you [2:49] know 16 cylinder Rolls-Royce a 44 here [2:54] you know with the gas prices and [2:55] everything today I mean it's it's got to [2:57] be uh I have the solution to the gas [2:59] crisis you do yes Siri Bob well show me [3:02] the solution follow [3:04] [Music] [3:06] me welcome back to my classic car this [3:09] is the solution uh this was a [3:12] revolutionary car in its [3:16] day this a 1909 uh Baker Electric [3:20] where's the front end uh that's the [3:22] great thing about it it's a bit like [3:23] driving a phone booth um I have to say [3:27] it's the only car I have that is 100% [3:30] maintenance free I mean I've never I [3:32] mean I painted it and restored it but uh [3:36] the windings are such high quality it [3:38] just doesn't break down you know it's a [3:40] turn of the century they really wanted [3:41] to show people how cuz people were [3:44] scared of electricity I mean it was a [3:46] frightening thing at the time you know [3:48] uh it's a bit like hydrogen is now [3:50] people like wait a minute that [3:52] Hindenburg thing yeah can't you get [3:53] electrocute you know so the idea I mean [3:56] it's such a beautifully put together [3:58] motor and although it looks like a [4:00] carriage it is a carriage but it has [4:02] some high-tech ideas for the time you [4:03] have leather fenders see leather was the [4:05] carbon fiber of the day yeah okay very [4:08] lightweight um this front window I mean [4:12] well these open and close and you have [4:14] to understand this is even before the [4:16] Advent of the windup window so what you [4:18] had to do was you'd you'd undo these [4:21] here these are uh if you notice they're [4:23] like whoa they're like railroad Windows [4:25] you pull it up like this oh W you see [4:27] and then you pull it over then you [4:30] kind of put it back down again there [4:33] that's cool but see these were that's [4:35] quite an ornate interior well he was a [4:37] trouble with electric cars the idea was [4:41] they really appealed to women because at [4:43] the time you know the selfstarter hadn't [4:45] been invented yet so steam was a hassle [4:47] steam was a hassle and steam was dirty [4:49] and messy and scary uh you know Auto [4:53] regular a you had to hand crank and bang [4:55] and set the choke and work the clutch uh [4:57] these were popular as women shopping CS [4:59] so what they did was they really [5:01] marketed them to women they made it look [5:02] like a woman's sitting room you had the [5:04] flowers you see you've got see the clock [5:06] and there's a makeup uh oh how nice you [5:08] open up this face powder and you know [5:10] makeup and all but then the problem was [5:13] well no man wanted to buy a woman's car [5:15] I mean that that was the problem with it [5:17] so consequently electrics were relegated [5:19] as women's shopping carts but this thing [5:21] went 100 miles on a charge uh at the [5:24] turn of the century there were 15,000 of [5:26] them in New York City you could drive [5:28] there were charging stations all over [5:29] over the city really there were 15,000 [5:31] these oh yeah they were all over the [5:33] place there were a lot of them I mean [5:34] looking like this looking like the phone [5:36] yeah yeah and they were really quite uh [5:38] you know it's interesting one day I was [5:40] having my house uh termed they put the [5:43] you know the big tent over so my wife [5:44] said I want to stay at the Beverly Hills [5:46] Hotel we never stayed there and I said [5:48] okay so we'll spend two days at Beverly [5:49] Hill Hotel so I drive this to the [5:52] Beverly Hills Hotel and I pull up and [5:53] they go hey is that Mrs so andel's car [5:56] and I go who's Mrs so Andel she goes oh [5:57] she used to come in and get her hair [5:59] done every year for almost 50 years and [6:01] she would park in one of these and I [6:03] said where she goes well we haven't seen [6:05] her in a year or two and I tried and she [6:06] had just died but she had a Baker [6:08] Electric and I never found the car but [6:10] from like 1935 until almost 2001 she [6:14] would take this thing to the Beverly [6:16] Hills Hotel every week to get her hair [6:20] done welcome back to my classic car now [6:23] is it is it is it completely silent of [6:25] course I mean it's yeah yeah and does it [6:27] have a transmission no no no it's Direct [6:30] that's the great thing about electricity [6:31] is like steam you have all your torque [6:33] right away yeah so it'll climb any [6:36] Hill at 23 M hour that's 23 M hour is [6:40] about the top speed and believe me when [6:42] you're going downhill with this 23 M [6:44] hour plenty fast because it tends to [6:48] high side it is like driving a phone [6:49] booth and you know my wife loves it cuz [6:52] we use this at at the holidays to go [6:53] look at the Christmas lights and it's [6:55] the only car I have with the deer the [6:57] deer come right up and look in the [6:59] window cuz there's no smell there no [7:00] sound and they you know if there's deer [7:03] on the road we'll stop and they walk [7:04] right up I think it's something about [7:06] this curved glass and they go like this [7:08] and they look in well c not my wife that [7:11] makes it the great isn't this great [7:12] that's the greatest car we've ever had [7:14] yeah yeah so charging stations this is [7:16] the original charging station [7:18] here I I don't have all the pieces to [7:21] put it together but it does have sort of [7:23] you going to talk [7:24] Larry it does have that kind of and [7:27] these are kind of cool these are the [7:29] original Thomas Edison batteries Thomas [7:32] Edison invented the alkaline battery to [7:35] double the range of electric car [7:37] electric cars and he did it just didn't [7:40] double it enough it wasn't far enough [7:41] but see what you do is you just you take [7:44] them you'd flush them out you clean them [7:46] then you put pour fresh acid in them and [7:48] they were good for another two or three [7:50] years you know so you could use these [7:51] same batteries over and over again and [7:52] see you still got the all the Edison [7:55] patent information and you know man now [7:57] that's that's got to be a rare piece do [7:59] not use acid in this battery you put [8:00] water in it I'm sorry I'm sorry Mr [8:02] Edison I said acid it's distilled [8:05] water yeah wild looking car and uh and [8:09] you you as with many of your cars you [8:11] have kind of the original uh yeah that's [8:13] the original ad that was quite a racy ad [8:15] in the day he got the guy says daddy get [8:17] me a baker but you're not quite clear if [8:19] it's really her father or some creepy [8:21] Congressman look at she does he does [8:24] have that creepy con look at her little [8:25] innocent face in the window up there [8:27] she's kind of make me out yeah yeah just [8:29] that sort [8:31] of it'll get you a [8:34] baker so so like where do you store the [8:37] batteries for this baby well you saw the [8:38] Edison batteries I just showed you those [8:41] uh I can use those if I want but I I've [8:43] just got modern batteries I think they [8:46] fit right in there six of them six in [8:49] the front six in the back yeah yeah and [8:51] those Edison crates would have taking [8:53] the place of these right same thing same [8:55] thing uh these are deep cycle these are [8:57] like you'd use in a golf cart and [8:59] they're 6V they're 6vt batteries yeah [9:01] yeah you get more power with 6 volts H [9:05] more amperage uh I guess so I'm not a [9:08] big electric guy I think I think yeah [9:10] sure more amperage that sounds good yeah [9:12] yeah what he said yeah um deep cycle six [9:15] batteries 6vt seem to have more power so [9:18] that's why we use them people look at [9:20] them they have no idea how you drive it [9:22] because you see there doesn't appear to [9:23] be any so no there there doesn't appear [9:24] to be a steering wheel so how how does [9:26] one well hop in I'll show you hop in hop [9:27] in okay so I just hop in hop [9:31] in slide over [9:34] okay this is your tiller right here this [9:36] is what you steer [9:42] With You release your handbrake and you [9:45] turn your key there's a some gauge one [9:47] up volts volts went [9:51] up and away we [9:53] [Music] [9:56] go welcome back to my classic car are [9:59] the bills I think the bells yeah the [10:01] bill that's worth worth the price of [10:03] admission right there well it just has [10:05] that department store Men's Wear [10:07] lingerie kind of thing to it you know [10:10] you keep your eye on your [10:17] [Music] [10:18] gauges plus you can look down on other [10:24] cars you've got that you do have that [10:26] kind of superior feel up here you and [10:28] the nice thing is you look down on Prius [10:30] owners with their gas polluting three [10:33] cylinder whatever that is motor this is [10:35] electricity only and everything even the [10:37] lights are electric on this yeah yeah [10:38] electric lights electric lights were a [10:40] big deal in 1909 most cars still had gas [10:42] lamps so this was all [10:47] electric like when my wife and I go out [10:49] to eat I I park and I just leave the [10:50] lights on you [10:52] know but you know you can see you really [10:54] don't want to go much faster than no no [10:56] this is probably good enough and it it [10:57] is really and as tall is as it is long [11:01] it is it is tall and the suspension is [11:04] not [11:06] really there not really [11:10] [Music] [11:11] there see since we're going downhill we [11:14] we're using less [11:16] hand there's no regenerative breaking or [11:19] any of that kind of [11:21] stuff as usual Jay Let Me Take the Wheel [11:24] I mean tiller Rudder thingy [11:26] [Music] [11:27] whatever [11:29] [Music] [11:30] this is a little unnerving Jay this just [11:32] a you see suddenly 23 mph is pretty damn [11:35] scary I will never complain [11:39] again this is cool [11:47] Jay flat out H yeah [11:51] yeah hey I'm doing the best I can [11:57] okay but I'm enjoy enjoying I'm enjoying [11:59] the ride but it's Pleasant it's great [12:02] it's great when you look at the [12:03] Christmas lights it's the [12:04] [Music] [12:07] best and actually after you you know [12:09] after you get on to it it is kind of [12:11] relaxing yeah it's just a fast [12:14] [Music] [12:18] job I would think as a taxi' be great [12:21] cuz you don't go very fast the meter [12:22] just keeps running and running exactly [12:24] see but in the day this is about a you [12:27] model T only went 40 2 mph and this goes [12:30] 23 [12:33] so don't forget the roads weren't paved [12:39] [Music] [12:41] right that's even tough to make a hand [12:43] signal you kind of reach out [12:46] around it's not quite perfected yet it's [12:49] still working out in the [12:51] [Music] [12:52] bugs cuz it is top heavy oh [12:57] yeah [13:00] we're here we made [13:01] it next week we'll travel to Mount [13:04] Washington in New Hampshire for climb to [13:05] the clouds this historic Hill Climb will [13:08] put these classic race cars to the test [13:10] plus we'll look at underhood rubber [13:12] replacement for your [13:15] ride so until our next meeting remember [13:17] honor the Timeless Classics I'm Dennis [13:19] Gage this is Jay lenel happy motoring [13:22] Save the Planet drive an electric [13:27] car [13:33] [Music] [13:36] [Applause] [13:38] [Music] [13:42] it