First Turbocharged Car: 1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire | Jay Leno's Garage

This is how you know Jay is a true auto enthusiast. He seems more exited and appreciative of this car than some others I’ve seen on his episodes costing 50 times what this is probably worth. Maybe that’s why I like him. He’s such a down to earth guy…………not a pretentious bone in his body!

Thanks Jay for doing this car! I have known Eric and his Dad since Eric was a wee lad. Great folks! He knocks it out of the park with every restoration he does. I am lucky to have ridden in that car but at the time there was something sticking and a month later Eric says you need another ride! I found the problem! And when he says his wife's car is just like it, well you do see double in his garage! Those 62-63 Olds were so totally ignored by car guys for so many years it was crazy! Eric has really turned that around and more of them are being fixed up now and that is only recently. Not like there was that many left floating around. By the way, that exhaust is all NOS original GM parts and they have the cutest little diameter tail pipes you ever saw! Makes for that nice crackle sound!

No wonder everyone loves Jay, he is the quintessential host. There isn't an ounce of jealousy in Mr. Leno all he did was honor Eric for the fantastic job he did, what a great wife he has. The world would be a better place if everyone treated others the was Jay does. Thank you

I've been a car guy my whole life and this is the first time I hear of this car. This is an amazing part of car history.

Hit me up if you'd ever like to feature a 1992 Pontiac Firehawk. We had to convince the dealer it was actually a thing that exists. The salesman said "No son, you mean Fire BIRD." I said "put RPO B4U in your computer." The salesman said "I'll be darned." Maybe that's why they only sold 27 of a planned run of 250. Oh, that and it cost more than a Corvette and took 9 months to get.

What a perfectly sized car, trim on the outside, roomy inside, no unnecessary weight.

There will be a time in the future when Jay is gone that he will be a legend. There’s no doubt. He’s just a remarkable person and really a treasure. We’re lucky to be around at the same time to witness his passion for the automobile and the history behind it. He’s like a combination car enthusiast, historian and comedian, all wrapped up in denim.

My Dad retired from General Motors many years ago and this was the time when he was still working there. Dad said that Oldsmobile was dubbed the experimental car in it's day. Oldsmobile was the first in many features. The seat belt, cruise control, experimental engines amongst several other things. And yes the Oldsmobile was the first domestic vehicle to have a turbo.😊

This is great stuff! I had no idea that GM had a water/methanol injection system or even a turbocharged car- in 1962. Hope to meet Jay Leno in person some day.

The dedication it took to learn all of this car's quirks and how to restore it is admirable.

Not only are we loosing these old classic pieces of history but we are also loosing the guys who know so much about them. I love sharing the passion for old cars with guys like this. Great work as always Jay! You are a true classic!

Eric saved a piece of history that is WORTH saving. Most people today place little value on history, and that will be our demise. Great video.

I could listen to these two talk forever. Jay is so humble and can truly talk to anyone. His passion for cars comes through with every word and you can tell how much both of them love this car and how special it is. What a fantastic episode. It reminds me of my dad and his friends talking while turning wrenches on their old cars

I had heard of these cars, and read that they were considered a failure. However this functional, streetable, and relatively affordable all aluminum turbocharged V-8 is an unqualified success. The styling is first class, too. You can tell Jay really enjoyed the thing on the road. I think the mistake was having to rely on a complicated anti-detonation system and that proprietary "rocket fire fuel'.

I have seen a number of interesting cars pass through Jay’s channel, but I find this car to be one of the most interesting he has ever showcased. I love the styling of this car. And you have to appreciate the fact that this was the first turbocharged production vehicle. Just an amazing piece of history.

Jay's appreciation of others efforts is is wonderful. He is always so enthusiastic when someone brings in a cool car and excited to drive it.

I found one of those engines in a salvage yard... one cylinder full of dirt. Rebuilt it over the winter (minus turbo) and swapped it into a 71 Vega wagon. With an M20 Muncie it was a superb car. I fabbed everything including the oil pan.

The styling of this car is totally underrated along with the Skylark and Tempest. Really wish their was more love for them.

I remember my dad telling me about this car when he and his dad ordered a new super 88 and went to Krause Oldsmobile in Milwaukee WI to order his new 63 super 88 Oldsmobile. The owner and my grandfather were friends and he tried to get my grandfather to order one of these. The old man wouldn't budge. Super 88s for ever. Memories

Love seeing Jay talk to a real car guy they are both right at home (and would talk about cars if they lost or gained everything)