Posted on: Aug 24, 2012 | 8,299 reads

Jay Leno and the Redonkulous Swan Car

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance never ceases to surprise us.

Amidst all the supercar unveilings, pomp and circumstance and general craziness that is the Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach, some of the more rare models tend to get lost amongst the international show-goers. Lucky for us, Jay Leno isn't your average attendant. The comedian, talk show host and lifelong gearhead tracked down the most unique and peculiar car at the event, a 1910 Brooke Swan Car once owned by the Maharaja of Nabha.

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The Swan Car, currently on display in Monterey, usually resides at Everett Louwman's museum in The Hague. It features Indian silk upholstery, gold touches, eyes that light up and, of course, scalding hot water that can be shot out of its mouth to clear anyone ahead of it out of the way. Based on a 30-horsepower Brooke, the Swan was conceived by a Scottish gentleman named Robert Matthewson who was residing in Calcutta, India. Brooke, a British marque, only built between 10-20 cars and during its time, cost three times more than a Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Apparently the Swan car would spook the elephants and other animals on the road, so the police outlawed driving it on the road. This tells us a lot about Indian history, as shooting people with burning water was acceptable while scaring an elephant was illegal. Enjoy Jay's tour of the classic auto in the short clip below.

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Jay Leno and the Redonkulous Swan Car

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