Abstract: The invention provides an air bag apparatus which is simple in structure and light in weight while assuring a sufficient strength and wherein a pad cover can be mounted readily onto a base plate by a simplified mounting apparatus. The air bag apparatus has at least an air bag for protecting a driver of a vehicle upon collision of the vehicle, a base plate for mounting thereon a gas generator for inflating the air bag, and a pad cover secured to the base plate for accommodating the air bag and the gas inflator therein. A portion of the base plate is deformed into a predetermined shape to secure the pad cover to the base plate. Preferably, a portion of the base plate is bent to form a side inner face portion and is further folded back to form a side outer face portion, and a terminal portion of the pad cover is held between and secured by the side outer face portion and the side inner face portion of the base plate.