1911 Christie Fire Engine - Jay Leno's Garage 

Sorry I'm late boss. I was behind Jay Leno in a damned firetruck this morning.

Amazing that Mr Leno drives these vehicles. Most collectors are too afraid to hurt their investment. Seems like Jay really does this not to show of but because he truly loves the history of the machines.

I can really relate to the disbelief of receiving a personal phone call from Jay. I sent Jay a letter introducing our company, he personally called back and left a voicemail and then he called again to confirm our meeting. I just assumed that he would have an assistant make all those calls. It was a blast to tour his 'garage' and meet the man. Jay was a perfect host.

I'm a retired Firefighter Capt. Last in my family, doubt there will be another in my family line, my great grandfather was one in NY, my Uncle was one in Colorado, and I'm last here out in NC, The history and culture and Technology of the Fire Department always fascinated me. What a beautiful rig, thank you so much for keeping it alive and moving! To make it more authentic, you should keep a hot cup of black coffee nearby. I can't tell you how many stories and jokes there are about Firefighters and Our Coffee. Best story I got that's mine in, in a utility service vehicle my Department had, there was a coffee machine on board and I made sure it was always stocked with coffee and dry creamer and sugar for those that want to ruin there coffee. On this Utility Rig we had a Honda generator on the tail board cam out on a slide. Well, we had a call for a house fire at 1am a winter night/morning it was cold, and the fire didn't help lol, it was a two story home that was unusual out here as it looked like the old Victorian style you see in San Francisco, to make it worse it started to rain, this was a hard long fire it was wet and cold, this was hard to fight as it was full of plastic furniture toxic and extremely hot, no hydrants near by we had to use drop tanks and 4 tenders in cycle as one left one was there to drop water in another tank it was tough. Moral was down, so as we fought I requested service for food and coffee but there was no one to spare, something you career guys don't have is an auxiliary group of members that help support and feed you on scene, I know because I started as Career and ended volunteer. So after about 4 hours and a jump fire to two mobile homes, I busted out the Honda generator and hooked that coffee pot up, first time the little coffee pot was ran. We ran out of coffee but people nearby donated coffee one guy ran to the store and bought all the boxes of filters and cans on dark roast lol, and several cases of water, and another Mr Coffee pot, so we had two going cranking out the coffee!!! It really helped boost our cold spirits, I realize coffee is a diuretic but damn it we needed it. The fire was very involved as the home owner delayed calling 911 thinking he could handle it himself. Started as a grease fire in the oven. Had he called right away, it wouldn't have been so bad. House was lost and at one point it was a containment and control as we knew the house was hopeless when we arrived on scene and it was a huge birthday candle. Dispatch or Fire control dropped the ball and should have had 3 departments in, not just 1, we had to call in for reinforcement with took more time. As it was located a good 7 miles outside of town. We even drafted a nearby swimming pool. Oddly we all remember that fire as many become a blur after a while and a long with it is, And you had the coffee rolling Cap!! Lol, yeah, sorry the house was lost but not our fault, like I said owner stalled on calling 911, he wasn't very bright he tried to put it out with a water hose he had. He took the time to walk out and hook up the hose, I still remember his wife arguing with him her high pitched voice, oh yeah don't lie Tony, you walked , not run, walked to get the hose hooked up and then stood there spraying it and as it got worse just kept spraying, our Fire Marshall thought it was a deliberate fire for insurance money, but it was never proven as lots of people who knew him said he was like that, I got it, I got it kind of laid back as all hell was falling apart. And there wasn't any hidden evidence to a cause, as we found exactly what he said grease fire in the oven made worse with water. And of course it being so involved and only one department deployed and the time it took to get more people, all contributed to the loss of the house. Thanks for reading all be well, and be safe!!

Jay's best videos are not about the latest fast car with horsepower ratings, they're about cool vehicles like this fire engine.

From an old fireman from New Jersey thank you Jay for the further restore of this machine but also for recognizing the history and " art " of these beauties from long ago. The brass plaque to the former members was above and beyond.

So Jay, so if I understand correctly, you and Wayne, NJ's FD came to an agreement that you would take care of this historical machine and then pass it along to LA FD's museum. And in the meantime, you are bearing all of the expenses. Thank you for doing that. That's very cool. I appreciate the chance to hear about this rig and and see it run. Thanks again.

The amount of work involved in just getting that machine to a 1912 fire would tire most people out. It's incredible how much fire-fighting has evolved.

I wonder if the people who live/work near Jay's garage are just so used to his odd vehicles that they just hear a funny noise outside and go "Huh, I wonder what Jay's driving today?"

If anybody's shop can fix something Jay's shop is the place to be. I love the passion and the fact it will be donated...class act Jay.

I really like it when Jay restore a piece of history with true significance. I especially like the call-out for the work done by Bob DeGraw, Tom Chapman and Dickie Sanders. Their families' should all be proud.

If Jay never showed us anything newer than 1970, I would be alright with that, there are plenty of other shows for the newer vehicles. His collection is so much more than just cars, it's a collection of historic, functional, kinetic art. (On a side note, I wish Jay would wear safety glasses when driving bikes or windshield-less vehicles, a bug in your eye even at 30mph can be very painful and hazardous to your sight). Great vehicle, great show!

This is the coolest, to see the oldest fire engine going down the street with Mr. Jay Leno at the wheel, absolutely awesome!

Love how you're always bringing new and weird vehicles to your subscribers! Very inspiring for us as a channel as we drive different cars from the normal tuner cars that dominate RU-vid

Jay Leno, the ultimate automotive historian who actually knows his stuff! #truecarguy

People in your area jay are like, "oh it's another strange vehicle, looks like there filming"

Videos like this one are what led to Jay becoming the most beloved man in Hollywood.

jay you made an old fighter fighter happy,thank you========COOL.

Jay is a rare thing, a celeb without the massive ego, and is really down to earth, and a true enthusiast, with a real passion for automotive history. So glad he and his team got this old beast running again, and it will live on for future generations to see.

If I’m ever stuck behind this going 20, I ain’t even mad. Brilliant piece of history.

Considering how well restored and looked after that is, if there was a fire whilst filming that he probably would've been able to attend and been able to extinguish the fire.

Words fail...simply amazing and thankyou Jay for conserving this piece of fire fighting history...BRAVO!

These and the ancient steam powered vehicles are my favorite videos here on Jay's channel.

Jay never ceases to amaze me of what he knows about the industry. But how he inputs personal stories into the vehicles he shows. Great show, continue the great work.

2 seconds in i'm already thinking "OH HELL YES!" the pre-war stuff is amazing, the earlier the better! commercial vehicle? even better!

I love that his collection includes so many varied machines. It's not just cars. Don't get me wrong, I love the car collection -- but who else has so many different vehicles in one collection? You'd be hard pressed to find something as eclectic as Jay's garage.

Amazing piece of history...well done Jay!

Jay, you're a fantastic guy. This all is a great contribution to America and its history.

Imagine being at a stop light and this thing pulling up next to you... haha #rad

That’s such an amazing machine. Never saw one like this to pull the old pumper. It’s really a rare find. So glad the you take an interest in things like this. Because of you, Jay, a piece of history will be saved and taken care of. And you look like you had an absolute blast driving it.

I love how Jay not only knows how to operate these antique vehicles, but actually drives them through city streets and neighborhoods. Imagine working on your car in the garage with some buddies or chillin on the porch with beers and Jay comes cruising up the street on this thing! So epic! Thank you Jay for restoring, preserving, maintaining, caring for, and sharing these amazing pieces of history.

Wow!! And it runs so well! Jay shop has got to be one of the finest shops in the country! What amazing mechanics and craftsmen!

There's a surprising number of things that haven't changed for the fire service in the last hundred years. In many cities, especially very urban areas, this rig could respond to a fire scene nearly as fast as a modern engine and easily provide enough GPM to put out most fires. It's glorious to see such an imposing and unique piece of equipment on the road. Tip of the helmet to you and your crew, Jay.

Jay does the most impossible stuff, I had that model about 40 years ago, but being in the military, the movers tried to destroy it about 3 times before it went to the big model house in the sky. Very advanced vehicle for it's day, remember most roads weren't paved back around 1911, just dirt tracks, even in the Los Angeles area, just downtown was paved, probably with bricks or cobblestones. Thanks for the video Jay.

I love how jay pays tribute to the previous owners and firefighters he does this for military and previous owners of his cars and tells the backstory On the vehicles great job and video thanks for keeping history alive wish I could visit the garage ..

Thank You Jay & your chew. And What You Do. This is an Awesome 0ld Machine. And, What History it has in 124 year's (earliest Pat. Date was 1893) til now. Thanks Again Jay.

I still watch this video to look back at the good times getting that truck ready for parades. Lots of great guys teaching me how to run this truck. Company #1 is 1 for a reason #43

Jay I gotta correct you, Christie didn't invent the tank, he invented an improved suspension which allowed greater speeds over rough terrain. The downside to his design was that it severely limited the weight, which is why America didn't like it.

I totally agree Jay, this one is special. Moreover I'm super stoked over the love shown by our fire friends, yourself, and all the extras to bring it fully back to life and then passing it on into a sound future.

A *TWENTY* liter 4-cylinder engine. And here I thought my 7.3 liter V8 was oversized!

Jay Leno is the best damned American!

Very cool. My Dad was a fire fighter in the 60's and they had 2 American Le France engines. They had 12 cylinder engines and manual transmissions. I can remember the sound of them running emergency traffic. The deep vroom of those 12 cylinder engines could be all the way through our town.

Wow ! What a machine ! 👏 In the year 2023, folks will look back on the internal combustion engines of today with the same nostalgia & excitement as we do when we look back at steam powered machines from a hundred years ago !

Dear Mr. Jay. Thank you so much for all you do for everyone. you mean so much to us. I really did love this video

Most people just go to a museum and look at an old fire truck, but you worked with William to get this operational and find a new home. Good job Jay and William and then you drove it around and everyone in the world can see it run and enjoy it. In San Francisco in around 1911 there was about 1/2 the vehicles were horse drawn and the other were gas motors and to feed for the horses was over $200 a year and you had to have a carriage for the buggy and a place to graze the horses and room and board for the driver the gas cost $30 a year and the autos soon took over.

Jay Leno and his crew did another fantastic job! Thanks a lot for saving old mechanical things.

Of all the fantastic cars you've shown in your video's, this was one of your great videos. First off, nice restoration job. 2nd, your concern for NJ. (I'm a Pennsylvania resident west of Philla an hour) fire department and the fact that you are donating the Fire Truck at your expense to the California Fire Department is honorable to say the least. This is something all young fire fighters should know about. That engine is incredible. The fact that it had a hand crank to start it, well so did most 1960 motor cycles except you used your foot, so not so far fetched, and you didn't have to worry about a dead battery. Adding the electric starter I can also understand as well as the guard over the fly wheel which was done in great taste. I'm not a fireman or anything of that nature, but I think you have done a great service to all fireman everywhere with your generosity. I have never given Jay Leno's Garage a thumbs down, and regardless of what I think of the car you are showing or technical problems that arise I will never give a thumbs down, and I can't imagine why people do such. The fact that you take your time (even if your showing off) to bring these videos to us regardless if they are old or new cars, or whatever deserves a thumbs up and a comment. I know if RU-vid pays you, you don't need the money, so I know it's the love of vehicles of all kinds and in some cases the people they belong too that compels you to put these fantastic videos out free of charge.

Jay in Kathmandu in Nepal there is a very old Denis fire engine with wooden wheels etc.It still works and is used.When you are looking for something to do ,go and look.

I was searching for steam engines when this showed up... what a tribute to firefighters everywhere...

Just watching this for the first time today. Just when I thought Jay and the team couldn’t be any cooler they pull this out of the bag. Keeping these wonderful pieces of history on the road for all of us to appreciate. A big thank you to all of jays team and all of the firemen involved with this truck past and present. Truly amazing. X

Mr. Jay thank you for sharing these wonderful machines with us in such great detail. I've always said it, firemen are amongst the bravest and nicest men and women in our communities. And the way you honour them is beautiful!

That poor guy in the Saturn waved but got no love 😂

Love this period of transportation and Americana. I can study a collection like this and its history forever.

Jay is haulin' in that thing, just another weird sight in the San Fernando Valley! Very kind and generous of Jay to donate this startling machine to the LA Fire Museum.

Amazing piece of history, kudos to the generosity of the Wayne, NJ fire dept & to Mr. Leno so that it's preserved for future generations.

Always enjoy looking back at history.

Willie: I'm the assistant chief. Chief: No, it's assistant to the chief.

True car guy. Has fun in an old fire truck, drives a McLaren F1. Some of the best content on YT right now.

Thanks for honoring our fire fighters and showing a cool part of history

Good on ya Mr.DeGraw, Mr.Chapman and Mr.Sanders. Thanks for keeping a piece of firefighting history alive.

That's cool! My Great Grand Father served as a fire fighter during the same time as that engine served. Someone had to constantly keep a fire stoked in that boiler. So, that it would be ready to fight a fire at a moments notice.

Great job on the resto Jay and the guys before. I'm a Fire Fighter from NC, and have never even seen anything of that era. And for all the "knit pickers" about the history, stop trying to correct everything. Just enjoy the workmanship, and engineering that DID go into it. Fantastic job guys! ! !

Respect to you Jay

jay leno thank you for keeping these wonderful vehicles restored and in perfect driving order. you give us chance to see these beautiful timeless classics from setting in our t.v rooms or our bedrooms. living in uk we don't see many of these american classic.

So cool that the Assistant Fire Chief got to bring his son along for the ride. You just know that kid will be a car guy after his visit to The Garage!

Love you Jay! Jay really shows the world vehicles that you're NOT going to see on the road anywhere else in this day and age...

Another project done for the love and respect of the history of it - as well as for that of those caretakers who came before. Another vehicle with one heck of a story as well. This is why I say Jay is living the life I would be living, if only I had the means. He respects and loves not only the machine, but the history and people of it.

years ago, while serving as a fire chief for a small fire dept I put together the model Jay talked about.it was good to see it run. Thanks Jay.

Jay, is so normal it is hard to believe.

How wonderful..... can you close your eyes and just imagine when this machine was in service!!?? The group of guys it would take to quickly get everything going at a fire!? Had to be amazing at the time (and now..) to see the men and machine in action. Many thanks to everyone involved, and to all the men who a hand on her over the last 100+ years...

SOOOOO COOOOL! This is kind of stuff that makes America great! Real inventions, real history written around entrepreneurs!!!

Jay has been called a notional treasure, he's not. He's is a car restoring icon...........which is more important.

Just once, poor as I am, I'd love to meet Mr. Leno and see his collection. Antique cars especially are a deep love of mine, despite having been born in '90. Still, the history, the mechanical nature, the, for want of a better phrase, purity of these old cars was just an inspiration to me. To see someone I low-key idolize taking such pains to bring life to these old cars, is a blessing. It is my dream to one day own either a 1915 or 1919 Ford Model T and/or see Mr. Leno's collection at least once.

Thanks Jay and all concerned. That was very informative.

My son and I love your videos. He has never seen anything like that. He loves it.

That fire engine is awesome.. Thanks for sharing.

Jay, you are a true inspiration for al of us! To keep all these awesome machines alive!

As a Navy guy I cannot help but comment how shiny the brass is on that strainer and the coupling on the solid hoses

Jays a pretty cool person, he's witty, innovative, made his own line of polish, he's worth a mint. Jay drives these old relics from beyond around town like he owns the place, and who would have the balls to pull him over and question whether he owns the place or not. Jay Leno your the corn off the cob.

Another great resto project of Mr. Leno and his mechanics team. I do hope you get to be very old and carry good health for many years, Mr. Leno for you help the history of the automobile stay with us in and learn young people to respect the roots of these oldies.

Thanks for preserving this amazing piece of history.

That honorable Jay! That you work on and restore this old fire engine for the Fire Fighters! Way to Go!

Only imagine what it would be like seeing Jay rolling up next to me at a light in something like this. Think what I like most about Mr. Leno just not the kinda guy who looks down his nose at you. I'm happy he did well in life, give back every day.

Imagine living in Jay Leno's neighborhood and seeing him drive all these crazy cars past you all the time.

Love what you have done Jay for the fire fighters of yester year

Awesome piece. Thank you for your respect and support you give to the Brothers and Sisters of the fire service. As well as honoring those that have gone before us. Very much appreciated.

That was amazing. Thank you so much. Another piece of equipment I didn't know I would be fascinated by. Excellent.

I love this old stuff. It will come to a point that one will know how to keep the old stuff going

WOW!! I had no idea Jay Leno had this truck now! I spent many hours cleaning that truck for parades and judging back in the day, it was on a flat bed at the time. We also had an antique Ahrens Fox fire truck that we won a ton of trophies for. Good times!! That's so awesome the Christie actually runs now! Sold work Jay!!!!

Mr Leno, thanks for making these videos for us to enjoy! I'm always learning new things from your show here, and sharing with friends.

Love how at times the rpm's drop to around 20 :) awesome stuff!

Love the living, breathing history. It takes a lot of work to do these things.

Couldn't wipe the smile off my face watching Jay driving this awesome piece of history and ringing that bell,....well done again Jay to you and your Team, and the guys from New Jersey of course ! :)

One of my favorite videos! Thanks Jay and crew!

2/2023,.......FANTASTIC. Great video, Jay!.......In Columbus, Ohio,....we had the Seagrave Fire engine manufacturing co. ( Circa 1800s) They started out the same way. The factory is still standing and is presently being restored and turned into an art & design space, art galleries, and co-working space for computer users.

What a beautiful sight to see, this piece of history rolling down the roadway! FANATASTIC! Thanks for preserving all these vehicles Jay - we appreciate it!

J, Walter Christie, born in what is now New Milford, NJ, also my hometown. New Milford is only 10 miles away from Wayne! Thanks Jay for preserving auto history with such passion!

I love seeing this old stuff. So few people show it off and there aren't many running examples left.

It's always nice when someone does the right thing. Well done sir.

Eccentricity at it's best, both the machine & Jay.