Jay Leno has encountered just about every kind of automobile imaginable, yet there are still obscure marques capable of surprising him. During a recent visit to his garage, three unusual classics demonstrated just how many fascinating manufacturers disappeared during the industry’s early decades.
None wore a familiar American badge, and their histories were as different as their engineering. One came from a short-lived British manufacturer, another had roots in America’s Cup-winning yachts, and the third represented Belgian luxury at its finest.
As featured on the Jay Leno’s Garage YouTube channel, automotive historian Donald Osborne introduced Leno to three vehicles on loan from the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport, Rhode Island. Each offered a glimpse into an era when the automobile industry was still finding its feet.
The discussion eventually turned to their collector values, with Osborne revealing how much each had appreciated over five years. Surprisingly, the oldest and simplest machine had become one of the most interesting financial stories.
A 1901 International With an Extraordinary History
The 1901 International Charette was sold by Britain’s International Motor Car Company, built by Allard of Coventry, and powered by a licensed De Dion-Bouton single-cylinder engine. Approximately 150 were produced before the company disappeared around 1904.
Its carriage-like body and unusual steering arrangement fascinated Leno, particularly the manually operated turn signals that resemble little paddles. The car was also among the earliest vehicles dated by Britain’s Veteran Car Club and has participated in London-to-Brighton runs since the 1930s.
Belgium’s Answer to Rolls-Royce
The 1927 Minerva AF 32 CV Sport Sedan demonstrated a different approach to motoring, combining Belgian luxury engineering with elegant American LeBaron coachwork. Its Knight sleeve-valve six-cylinder engine used moving sleeves around the pistons instead of conventional poppet valves, delivering exceptionally smooth and quiet operation.
Osborne explained that the car had earned second place in its class at Pebble Beach, while Leno admired its low roofline and distinctive windshield. The Minerva name eventually disappeared after financial difficulties and a later association with Belgian Land Rover production.
A Rare Runabout From a Yacht-Building Dynasty
The 1913 Herreshoff Model 30 Runabout came from Charles Herreshoff, whose family built celebrated America’s Cup-winning yachts. After working in marine engineering, Charles established an automobile company in Detroit in 1909.
His runabout featured a four-cylinder engine of his own design, handsome leather upholstery, and brass detailing. Although the company folded after his departure in 1914, Osborne praised the car’s engineering and craftsmanship.
The Oldest Car Delivers the Biggest Surprise
According to Osborne’s estimates, the International’s market value climbed from approximately $80,000 to $150,000 over five years, a gain of $70,000. The Herreshoff rose from $25,000 to $45,000, while the Minerva increased from $350,000 to $400,000.
Leno credited the International’s popularity partly to its eligibility for historic London-to-Brighton events, which allow owners to enjoy a 125-year-old automobile on the road rather than simply admire it in a museum.