112 Year Old Race Car: 1911 EMF Model 30 - Jay Leno's Garage

This week, Jay is joined in the garage by Dale Critz Jr., owner of this 1911 EMF Model 30 Racecar. Dale and Jay detail the history of this brass age beauty before taking it for a quick spin around Burbank.
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A new video every Monday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.

[@keithhoughton4308]

I love that it doesn't matter what it is, Jay will drive it on streets of LA.

[@blubb7711]

When you’re used to it, you don’t fear it anymore.

[@xb5883]

Even the McLaren F1

[@michaelbenardo5695]

To me, there is no point in having a car if you are not going to drive it.

[@AliceWonders22]

I mean it's WOKE Cali lol degenerates all over that place ha ha

[@MrWolfSnack]

Car museums have a heart attack when Jay drives 3/4 of a million dollar irreplaceable cars in rush hour LA traffic.

[@Cogglesz]

It's seriously a pleasure to hear a car of this age running, nevermind getting a history lesson and actually seeing it drive. Absolutely adore this kind of museum tiered content.

[@marvindebot3264]

I love the way it sounds like crap but is probably running as well as it ever ran. Pop, burble, sputter bang.

[@mountainjeff]

@@marvindebot3264 I don't think Jay was adjusting the timing.

[@Daveinet]

Its sounds like a two or single cylinder, but no its 4 cylinders turning really slow.

[@JP-su8bp]

"museum tiered content"

[@jamesengland7461]

Jay casually admits to going 92 in a Mercer on the highway 😂 Love it!

[@bbb462cid]

_But officer, it wasn't me, it must have been some other Mercer that you clocked_

[@user-vg2eg7oo5n]

Letterman got all the speeding tickets in Connecticut.

[@marvindebot3264]

Or a chartreuse Stutz Bearcat 😂 @@bbb462cid

[@dickJohnsonpeter]

I'm sure no one is giving Jay Leno a ticket.

[@markmichlewicz5141]

This episode is exactly why I follow jay.these type of cars are amazing

[@urosb82]

Couldn't agree more

[@steamandsmoke97]

Same here!

[@asimplehorseman4648]

I was thinking the same thing

[@nobody617]

No. You are not telling the truth. I'm here to argue. I am new to internetting and trying to fit in. I think this is what I am supposed to do. Jerk.

[@glypnir]

Cmon Jay, they got a train up to 90 mph in 1891. Cars were not the first speed demons.

[@AmericasChoice]

Those early race drivers and ride along mechanics were incredibly brave men.

[@Rom3_29]

"Brave" might be a subjective term. Depending who we ask.

[@AmericasChoice]

@@Rom3_29 Objectively, racing in those cars, with those brakes, with that speed, on those tracks was a brave thing to do...

[@bobroberts2371]

Safety was not a consideration back then.

[@AmericasChoice]

@@bobroberts2371 It wasn't really a consideration until the late 70's, and even then it took decades to bring it to the point where it is today.

[@basshead.]

Life was boring back then, that's why people didn't fear to die.

[@PeterWiernicki]

One of the best episodes of Jay Leno's Garage yet. EMF was a little known company that did big things. Walter Flanders (the F in EMF) was a genius engineer and factory designer that ultimately saved the Maxwell Motor Car Company, the forerunner to Chrysler. Detroit wouldn't have been the same without him.

[@MichaelSayer-sf7gu]

My prayers to Jay as he recovers from his burning accident with that dang gone Stanley steamer that always used to blow up on tv. Jay is the man. His people are great. His collection is great. His passion for cars and automotive history is great. Couple that with his reach and unique personality, Jay has the capacity to inspire people. young and old to remember our history through his museum, his KZbin channel, and his team’s ability to incubate and keep these relics in everyday drivable form. The way cars were intended to be. Hats off Jay and crew.

[@TheBTG88]

It was actually a White steam car that he was working on.

[@ralphlazio505]

Jay and his crew do amazing work.

[@Westcoastgs]

Jay couldn't say it better...wink wink

[@paulfoster4686]

Full respect to Jay for jumping into this piece of history and driving it round LA like it was a modern car.

[@mike36dc]

Jay's so great at this. His knowledge of earlier car production is amazing.

[@dennishutchinson]

My great grandfather owned a 1909 EMF 30. We have 3 photos of it when new, and photos of it as Pickup truck about 8 years later. The back seat was removed to make a pickup. The acetylene gas generator tank was removed and a pressurized acetylene tank was added. Loved hearing an engine I’ve never heard before. 👍

[@ThomasThomas-wn3km]

Episodes like this one is why I like this channel. Jay, you're one of the true car guys that love all automotive vehicles. Thank you for sharing the really old stuff from the beginning.

[@matthewavery]

Jay, please don’t ever stop what you’re doing. The world needs to know and appreciate the amazingness that is cars of the past. Keep it up!

[@Fig.220S]

THIS is the kind of Jay Leno's Garage episode that matters. Jay SO knows his automotive history, and no one tells it like he does.

[@johndavey72]

Jay . Your mastery of the early motor cars is exhilarating . And Dale had no problem letting you loose on this very important vehicle . I suspect he was picking your brains ! Thankyou Jay and THANKYOU Dale ! 💕

[@mousearebec]

He is often so immersed in vehicle history..... it is neat to just sit and listen to him.

[@The_Joser]

Having Jay get behind the wheel and dedicate an entire episode to it probably bumped up its value significantly.

[@jimgoodlett5304]

Well done Dale Critz in continuing to share not just this Great Savannah Races EMF 30 racecar, but keeping the history alive by showing it constantly and when the iron strikes his fancy, racing it as well! Privileged to know this car, the gent who owns is, and all the Critz Motorsport team that care for it!!! Thanks also to Jay Leno for featuring the car!!! Proper show, this one!!!!

[@kevinrhodes8410]

This man preserves cars for history.

[@email4664]

And preserves history for cars- His space is a living museum

[@jsh-bv7ll]

This man perseveres car for a tax write-off!

[@Not-Great-at-Gaming]

I've heard of EMF. They're Unbelieveable.

[@negativeindustrial]

OH!!!

[@gamingwithzan4654]

I see what you did there brilliant.

[@marcoluoma3770]

Mr. Leno is national treasure. Thanks for bringing us content like this.

[@808mauna]

Jay lenos passion for Cars is contagious. He has so much car Knowledge/Experience

[@InZaneKicks]

Great to see Jay recovering from his injuries so well.With every episode he seems a bit quicker and agile.

[@geepeerces]

Love these rare antiques and cars with actual history so much more than the latest shiny thing.

[@aaronmcconnell7358]

You can't call yourself a carguy ,if you can't appreciate something about all cars from all era's .this is a beautiful car ,and it's over a hundred years old running great . give cars another hundred years, this car will still be running while people are looking at pictures of cars from today.

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

It doesn't get any better than watching and hearing these cars actually running on the roads they ran on. The history lesson is also a treat to us novices. Thanks for all your efforts.

[@dennisdose5697]

Love it when Jay takes out these old crocks. They were still figuring out how to get reliable combustion. Always trying different methods to make the stuff work. I grew up with old tractors and listening to those slow turning, low compression engines has a certain music to my soul. Thank you, Jay, for all the variety of things you share with your fellow gearheads.😎😎😎😎

[@mousearebec]

So impressed with Mr Leno's knowledge of history of automobiles, and his way of describing situations of the past from many different times...... Just so interesting to listen to him.....

[@Daveinet]

Its hard but fun to try to put your 1911 thinking cap on, to try to imagine the technology. It makes you ask about solutions that seem so obvious to us today, that is it difficult to understand how it was not thought of earlier. We know there were brilliant men back then, but it is difficult to imagine not understanding certain concepts - things we think of as perfectly logical today.

[@tubsboathouse]

Just amazing what they could build with what they had back then. I cant get enough of the early stuff you show. Thanks sooooo much.

[@peterkull8354]

I can listen to Jay all day long. All this knowledge about cars and their history + this friendly attitude of a real petrol head..........just wonderful !

[@celtic2000]

Jay Leno is a genuine artist. He is able to drive any car exquisitely! And unlike each owner, he drives any car from any time with incredible expertise.

[@cartmanrlsusall]

That vintage sound is incredible

[@eeblatter]

I also heard "every morning fixit" for EMF. They merged with Studebaker. Great to see it run. Thanks Dale and Jay.

[@user-jk6yi1fl5h]

This shows you every automotive advancement comes from racing and engineering love this EMF racer 😊

[@vectrexer]

100% YUM! Love this episode. Could have been 20 minutes longer and still would have felt too short.

[@scottimusgarrett15]

Wow, that's minimalist! Beautiful car; it's amazing that after all these years, the basic design of the automobile has essentially stayed the same. Thanks for bringing this car out for us, Dale, and thanks to Jay and the Crew (who must've reeked of burnt oil!) for another great episode! ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@jean-jacqueskaselorganreco6879]

fabulous looking car in black and brass, sounds superb too. Many thanks Jay, a highlight again!The Jet moment was epic!!!

[@user-rg9yq1bd9o]

Love to see this piece of history and these two gentle men enjoying this together!

[@calnative4904]

What a beautiful piece of automotive history. Thanks Jay 😊

[@JackCecil]

Jay is seriously the most inspirational car guy in THE WORLD. I hope to meet you one day sir. You’re a LEGEND.

[@paulhammons7077]

2:24 that windshield was amazing.

[@scootermann83]

15:00 just an excellent shot! That's a wonderful piece of drivable history. I dig the guests SMP on sharkmesh also, nice watch.

[@mikeseawel6180]

The camber of that right front tire looked a little off. Hope the wheel stays on. Good video, Jay's rep pulls them in.

[@matthewhiggins3555]

Yes - I thought my glasses were distorting the video!

[@doohuh]

Love this guy's classic accent

[@rpapy]

We're from Savannah, Ga. What do you expect😂

[@AndrewsGMC]

Best feature in a while. Amazing piece of history!

[@RayLabs]

How cool would it be to be driving down the street and see Jay out for a drive in one of these amazing vintage racers.

[@Pkron]

I spent part of a summer scanning and cataloguing all of the provenance for this car. I wonder if any of my scans will be used 😂. Looking forward to the video! Edit: They definitely are! My high school summer job's handiwork is part of a Jay Leno's Garage video lol.

[@charlescain5838]

Thank you for the ride along. It brought back memories when I rode in my father's T speedster.

[@angelzaragoza9952]

-Makes me want to go back through the watchlist and see the steam engine automobiles to compliment this video; like the Stanley steam Vanderbuilt Racer. Way Cool Video Jay!! Just awesome!! Hope you and your whole crew are doing well!! Take care.

[@cudaman-yq7pq]

EMF - Every Mechanical Fault, Every Morning Fix-it. I have a 1912 Flanders 20, little brother to the EMF 30. The primer cups work great. Mine starts easily on battery, then you switch it to the Splitdorf low tension magneto.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

LOL! I like the unsplitdorf magneto!😂

[@aussiebloke609]

Your Flanders looks pristine. Must be a bit of work keeping it that way - especially those wheels. 👍

[@leegoddard2618]

Beautiful car. Hilarious, the flywheel looks like an actual 5 spoke wheel. 🤭👍

[@ronitsingh85]

this is my jam right here! Love the early cars, all you see is the chassis, tires, leafs, axles, only the engine is hidden, my kind of car, love everything mechanical being exposed.

[@MrIslandman59]

That's really cool, thanks for preserving and sharing such an iconic piece of auto racing history!

[@DaBossk]

Mister Jay Leno! you are an absolute car enthusiast Icon. I love your passion for cars and I love this very entertaining youtube channel! I learn so much here and I appreciate your enthusiasm so much... Cars are my life

[@davehue9517]

I really love the amazing cars Jay reviews. Jay's really livin the good life with these amazing cars 👍

[@user-gc1zn5mn4p]

Jay, great brass car. I subscribe to Classic Motorsports magazine & in a recent issue I think your buddy Tim Suddard test drove that car on a track in Georgia.

[@XantoS771]

it runs so smooth for a 112 year old race car

[@johnhupp8444]

I love it. I have a 1929 Hupmobile and it is only comfortable to drive to about 50mph.

[@aaronmcconnell7358]

I'd never heard of a hupmobile till recently while reading a book on murders in Washington pa. One of the killers in the book, used his father's hupmobile as a getaway car after murdering a girl in a loft above a theater.

[@johnhupp8444]

@@aaronmcconnell7358 My father’s side of the family were some of the first settlers in Washington County PA. The first meeting to found the NFL took place at a Hupmobile dealership in Canton OH.

[@aaronmcconnell7358]

@@johnhupp8444 small world I live just across the state line in wv. when lil Washington was first settled it was called catfish camp, then natural gas was found and the rest is history.

[@johnhupp8444]

@@aaronmcconnell7358 My father grew up in Bethany WV. I still own the farm which has never been in any other family’s name. On route 40 just outside of Claysville there is a historic marker telling about the Indian raid on Miller’s blockhouse in 1782. It mentions that Ann Hupp fended off the Indians. Ann Hupp was my 3rd great grandmother.

[@aaronmcconnell7358]

@@johnhupp8444 even smaller world I spent 15 years subcontracting maintenance work at bethany college I was very good friends with Bob chambers that owned the general store in bethany, he passed away a few years ago I'm sure your father probably knew him as well . I know the sign that your talking about I've seen it many times.

[@zach_diecast_mansur]

Man, thats cool! Im always blown away bybthe engeneerimg solutions those guys came up with back then!

[@piotrnaliwajko9834]

Amazing piece of history and one of the best episodes in a while!

[@brogeoti]

Great history! We used to go to the Dixie Speedway when I was a kid growing up in Savannah, Georgia.

[@OmarDenarzi]

After so many boring and uninspiring cars that were featured on JLG, This is a car that is actually worth to be featured on Jay Leno's Garage ❤❤

[@vermontguy7692]

Thanx for another great video, Jay. I saw this car many times when Gordon Matson owned it. I have some pix of it from those days. I sure wish KZbin allowed photos to be attached to comments!

[@JacobafJelling]

These guys seem to get along very well. Great episode

[@SimpleCarGuy]

Love this video! A car I’ve never seen or heard of, a little history and a nice drive in the real world.

[@richl9049]

This is just awesome! Thank you, Jay!

[@craigcolavito5606]

Friction Dampers were surprisingly advanced on these old 90+ year old race cars, you'd really be surprised by the engineering and adjustability of those things.

[@paulsthormes251]

Love the sounds of the valves thanks for sharing another great video.

[@brianmay3669]

I couldn’t help but giggle every time they showed these gentlemen from behind. Was expecting/hoping Jay to “stop-short!” Beautiful automotive History right there.✌🏼

[@pvccannon1966]

That old car makes my 1927 model t look like a modern car. At least i dont have a shifter. and i have a starter. Myn still had a crank on the front, but i have a 6 volt battery and a starter to get her going.

[@jellydiablo8573]

If it was 2011 that car would be 100 years old, I love your content Jay :D

[@danam0228]

I love old cars like this

[@TyTyproductions]

Miss when you used to drive by my neighborhood all the time! Keep at it, J!

[@jenshaga4256]

That is one awesome machine. Thanks for sharing.

[@adawil2002]

Dale Critz is very well versed in the Savanna Grand Prix & Brass Era Cars. Always a delight to visit Dale & Larry Koch when I'm near Savannah for The Hilton Head Concours. I have a 1914 KisselKar 4-40 Touring which is on display in the Wisconsin Auto Museum in Hartford.

[@ulf989]

I think one could make a strong argument that, in his lifetime, Leno has been behind the wheel of a greater variety of automobiles than anyone ever. Period. I can only think of Bill Harrah as another possible candidate. He had the opportunity with his collection to drive literally THOUSANDS of different automobiles during his lifetime. It was said that Harrah always drove the completed restorations that entered his collection to give them his personal seal of approval. The collection in Reno was extraordinary, and it had its share of "one-off" rarities, but Leno is driving some remarkably rare and obscure builds as the years go by. I don't know who else could be in the running - the Sultan of Brunei has a collection numbering in the thousands, but I doubt if he has driven many. Probably very few. An interesting Jeopardy question somewhere down the line.

[@user-tf6mq5xf6k]

Jay is not just a car enthusiast, he's also an auto historian.

[@Paul-gm2pc]

I love this stuff. Changing gears sure was different. Thanks for the video!

[@terryeustice5399]

A amazing old Race Car. 1911. Love seeing this old car. Thanks for sharing this Jay! Very cool 😎. 💯👍👊

[@teamracing6]

I had the privilege of driving a 1918 Winton Touring car once. Amazing experience. Thanks Jay, i really love these vintage cars.

[@SunShine-dk6rk]

Jay and team really appreciate you sharing your passion of cars with us ❤.

[@ericohara2582]

Thank you for sharing. I had never seen or heard of EMF. It looks so purposeful with rakish proportions.

[@heatherwhatever7714]

Random comment,I know, but the outside engine belt reminded me of my husband and his father going to Baja in a truck with a little trailer. The hitch was causing problems so my Father in law took off his belt and used it to pull the trailer the rest of the way. 😳☺️Ingenuity, necessity and a whole lot of something.

[@jimmime]

Necessity is the mother of invention. Duct tape anyone?

[@thewebcentral]

Thank you for all the Good times Jay

[@nallie10]

I love it! Critz is a Mercedes Dealer. Beautiful car.

[@silvermikeGA]

Fantastic! I had to listen twice to that sound of history's march.

[@momnc4721]

Thank you Mr. Leno for another amazing car review🙏🏽

[@theautohistorian]

Excellent car and racing history!

[@brucewestoby]

Raced my friends 1928 Bugatti for 5 years st all the VARA sanctioned race tracks, Aways was the highlight of racing at Monterey then Pebble Beach on Sunday. Great times, great prople...really miss being there and being the mechanic !

[@notvaporlocked5479]

That car is just freaking awesome!

[@Prewarpostwaramdmore]

Love Barney Oldfield's Race for a Life.

[@Ole_CornPop]

Howdy from Charleston, SC. Savannah is a stones throw away from me.

[@jasonvandervalk3679]

I always love sound of old engines and transmissions.

[@19BUG69]

My absolute favorite type of episode!

[@scottdiamond7133]

So Wicked Jay drives these things on the street in traffic! What a Beauty!

[@codin-sorelureche2925]

Very good Mr. Leno!👍👍👍

[@williamdeegan7840]

Fantastically Cool. Great show.

[@mindjal19]

Wow look at those double tanks in the back!! It looks amazing

[@howardnielsen6220]

Love it Jay Thank You

[@jamesjensen5000]

Super interesting show…thanks.

[@spechti2045]

i like how the front seat is basically a couch. my couch looks like this.

[@StringsandWings]

You better have a solid back, quick reflexes and never miss arm day at the gym to start these things.