Most vintage cars from the 1930s blend into sepia-toned memory: tall roofs, running boards, and big chrome grilles. But every now and then, one appears that looks like it was dropped in from another planet. This is one of those. In a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, the team at the Nethercutt Collection rolled out a 1930 Ruxton—a rare front-wheel-drive luxury oddity that only lived for a year, yet left behind one of the most eye-catching silhouettes in automotive history.It’s low. It’s loud. And it’s painted like a moving piece of deco art. According to curator Cameron, fewer than 20 of these vintage cars survive, and the example featured here has been immaculately restored, complete with woodlight headlights, a multicolored lipstick-era paint scheme, and silk corduroy seats that would make even Rolls-Royce interiors flinch. But under the beauty lies a chaotic history and driving experience that screams old cars in every sense of the word. This Classic Car Was Doomed From Day One 1930 Ruxton Restoration 1The Ruxton was an incredibly bold idea—too bold for its time. It featured front-wheel drive when nearly every other American brand was sticking to rear-drive layouts. It sat far lower than rival cars, ditching running boards and going for what designers now call a “coachbuilt” look. Jay Leno compares it to a runway fashion show piece—gorgeous to look at, but not something you’d necessarily wear (or drive) daily. Key Highlights Of The Ruxton Built for just one year (1929–1930) during the Great Depression One of the first American front-wheel-drive classic cars Uses a Continental flathead inline-eight engine Top speed of around 45–50 mph, with poor hill traction Multicolor paint scheme designed by Joseph Urban Only 17–20 known to exist today Features woodlight headlights, silk corduroy seats, and no running boards Restored to original factory spec by the Nethercutt Collection Mechanically, the car runs a Continental flathead inline-eight engine paired with a dash-mounted, oddly shaped shifter. Steering is heavy thanks to the front-wheel layout, and Leno points out that the weight distribution makes it struggle on hills. On the road, it tops out around 45–50 mph, and second gear is basically useless. But with a full mechanical restoration—not just chrome and polish—the example featured here actually drives decently for a car from the era of prohibition and pocket watches. Old Cars Don’t Get More Bizarre Than This From the start, the Ruxton was built on shaky ground—both mechanically and financially. It was named after an investor who wanted nothing to do with the car, sued the company for using his name, and still lost the PR war. They claimed to have built 96 examples, but likely shuffled the same handful of cars around different dealers to inflate numbers—a trick many failing classic car startups used in that era.“This wasn’t built to drive fast. It was built to be remembered.” - Jay LenoAnd yet, even with all its flaws, the Ruxton stands out. It wasn’t just one of America’s earliest front-drive old cars—it was one of the boldest styling statements of its time. It made people stop and stare then, and it still does now. As Jay puts it: “This wasn’t built to drive fast. It was built to be remembered.”