Ep 7. Design of the Times

In season 1 episode 7 of Jay Leno's Garage, titled "Design of the Times," Jay Leno takes a closer look at the evolution of car design over the years. He explores the concept cars and prototypes that never made it into production and the ones that did and made history. Leno takes viewers on a journey through time, highlighting the design changes that took place decade by decade, showcasing innovative and game-changing vehicles.

The episode features several examples of iconic cars whose designs changed the industry. Leno focuses on the Chevy Corvette, which had its first design debut in 1953 and went on to become a classic American car, popular with collectors today. Leno discusses how the introduction of the Corvette's design elements influenced the American car industry, and he takes viewers through its history, from the earliest models to the most current.

In addition to the Corvette, Leno takes his viewers through several other pioneering vehicles, such as the 1956 Ford Thunderbird, the 1990 Mazda Miata, and the 1963 Corvette Stingray. As he shares his insights into the unique characteristics of these automobiles, the episode gives car lovers a glimpse of what it was like to experience these iconic vehicles in their prime, as well as how they have influenced designers who have followed in their footsteps.

Leno also examines various design concepts that never made it into production, such as the 1964 Ford Mustang II Concept Car, which featured a sleek, jet-inspired design. The concept was so well received that it influenced the production of the Mustang GT and proved that pushing the design envelope could still be commercially viable.

Other examples of concept and prototype designs shown in the episode include the 1935 Bugatti Aerolithe, the 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne, and the 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II. These vehicles, even though they never went into production, showed that manufacturers were willing to take risks with design, even if they were not immediately popular with the general public.

Throughout the episode, Leno is joined by automotive industry experts, designers, and icons of the past who share their insights and observations. Such guests Include Ed Welburn, former Vice President of Design at General Motors, and Freeman Thomas, the former Director of Design at Ford.

The episode ends with Leno driving the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California, discussing how its design has stood the test of time and still remains relevant today. As Leno continues to highlight cars with iconic design elements, viewers are left feeling excited about the next generation of cars that will push the boundaries of automotive design.

In "Design of the Times," Jay Leno takes an entertaining trip across automobile design history, showcasing how cars have evolved over the decades and how their design has had a lasting impact on the industry, past, present, and future. It's an episode that car enthusiasts and designers alike will find both informative and entertaining.