Dean Martin Actually Sold A Car To Jay Leno And It Is Definitely Unique (Jay Leno’s Impressive Car Collection)
With 181 cars and 80 motorcycles in his collection, Jay Leno is one of the most highly recognizable and avid automobile collectors in the world. What's most striking about Leno's collection is the sheer number of different types of vehicles he chooses to acquire, restore, and maintain.
From a 1906 steam tractor to an incredibly expensive and rare McLaren F1, these are some of Jay Leno's most unique, fun, and iconic automobiles. Wait until you see some of Jay Leno's custom builds which you won't find anywhere else.
Jay Leno's McLaren P1
Jay Leno's prized McLaren P1 is a supercar for the ages. Often considered by critics to be the greatest sports car ever made, this supercar comes with a $1.2 million price tag and very limited availability.
Jay Leno is a big fan of racing and has driven a pace car for NASCAR. The McLaren F1 definitely satisfies Leno's need for speed with a 0-60MPH time of about three seconds flat.
1906 Antique Steam Tractor
Jay's Garage in Burbank, California is no stranger to classic automobiles and this 1906 antique steam tractor is perhaps one of the most strange and yet beautiful creations to grace the garage's presence.
This fun creation requires 250 gallons of water to start, weighs 13 tons and has a top speed of 4MPH. It also has no brakes but instead uses only reverse gear for stopping. It's perhaps the most unique automobile in Jay's Garage.
Jay Leno Is No Stranger To Some Fun Custom Builds
As we noted, Jay Leno doesn't just collect classic automobiles, he also drives some highly customized vehicles that seem to pop out from his own imagination.
This fun looking creation was debuted during the premiere of CNBC's "Jay Leno's Garage" season 2. Leno pulled up in the vehicle on the backlot at Universal Studios in 2016. If you're going to make an appearance, why not do it in something fun and unique.
Jay Leno's Amazing Chrysler Turbine
The Chrysler Turbine vanished as quickly as it debuted in the 1960s. This futuristic car aimed to replace the piston engine with a turbine-powered car.
Jay Leno is the proud owner of this vehicle of which there were only 55 ever built. The car was rated at 300 hp and featured 425 lb-ft of torque, making it a contemporary to a modern 318-cubic-inch V8. Fun fact, with a few modifications, this car is capable of running on tequila and it did so at the request of Mexico's former president.
Jay Leno And The Corvette Z06
The Corvette Z06 is an insanely powerful vehicle with 650-horsepower. It's also the vehicle Jay Leno was pulled over in when he sped by a police officer during a cannon blast with product specialist Shad Balch.
Admittedly, Leno's choice of Z06 is maybe the softest in the car's lineup but that doesn't mean it's lacking power. With a price tag nearing $100,00 it's a fun but not inexpensive choice in an automobile.
Jay Leno's Red Vintage 1971 Citroën DS
The Citroën DS was manufactured by French automaker Citroën from 1955 to 1975 and it managed to sell 1,455,746 units. Jay Leno's 1971 model is aerodynamic, futuristic, and innovative, everything that made the Citroën so well recognized and regarded.
The DS was a leader in handling and braking, even becoming the first mass-produced vehicle to feature disc brakes. The cars were designed by Italian sculptor and industrial designer Flaminio Bertoni with stylization and engineering helped along by French aeronautical engineer André Lefèbvre.
Jay Leno And The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid
The Jaguar C-X75 is a hybrid-electric concept car that was produced by the automaker in 2011. The vehicle features 778-horsepower and its batteries are recharged using two diesel-fed micro gas turbines in place of a standard conventional four-stroke engine.
Jaguar produced the car from 2013 to 2015. It was built using a compact, forced induction petrol engine combined with electric motors instead of the micro gas turbines which were featured in the original concept car. Jaguar planned to produce 250 of these vehicles but stopped short, citing a change in global economic concerns.
1950 Mercedes Benz Racecar Transporter
With Jay Leno's huge collection of race cars, motorcycles, and various other classics, it makes sense that he would also have a vehicle capable of transporting his prized possessions.
We're pretty sure Leno isn't using the 1950 Mercedes Benz Racecar Transporter for its original purpose, although it looks like a lot of fun to drive. This beautiful looking truck is a powerhouse of its own, featuring speeds up to 108 mph. This is the "one vehicle Jay lusted over as a kid," according to Jay's Garage Facebook page.
Jay Leno's Mercedes SLR McLaren
The Mercedes SLR McLaren is a high-end sports car with a $500,000 price tag and Jay Leno owns one of these highly coveted supercars.
That type of cash will get you a 5.4-liter V7 with a bore x stroke of 97 mm x 92 mm and a compression ratio of 8.8:1. Throw in a Lysholm-type twin-screw supercharger that rotates at a maximum of 23,000 rpm while producing 0.9 bar (13 psi) of boost.
1909 Baker Electric Car
Jay Leno drove his 1909 Baker Electric car to the "Revenge Of The Electric Car" Premiere held at Landmark Nuart Theatre on October 21, 2011, in Los Angeles, California.
The Baker Electric was well ahead of its time. This amazing piece of futuristic technology was capable of driving nearly 100 miles on a single charge. It only traveled at 22 miles per hour but along with some modern-day features, it was well ahead of its time.
The Iconic Lambourghini Conuntache
There are not many supercars as iconic as the Lamborghini Countach so it shouldn't surprise anyone to know Jay's Garage in Burbank, California features one of these truly breathtaking works of art in Ferrari's iconic red.
This photo was taken on March 8, 2011. Jay Leno's collection has continued to grow and now features a vast number of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and custom builds that any collector would love to call their own.
1967 Lamborghini Miura P400
Before Leno owned this 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400, someone else super famous had it. That person was none other than Dean Martin! This Italian sports car had the honors of getting dubbed the first "supercar."
After that, competitor Ferrari had to step up their game, which resulted in some pretty spectacular vehicles coming out of production. Our question is, why wouldn't Leno want something with that kind of history in his garage? The man has more cars than we have clothes.
Jay Leno And The 1924 Ace Motorcycle
Jay Leno might love his 1924 Ace Motorcycle but it also appears to be a little bit of a love-hate relationship. During this presentation of the bike, Leno said it can be difficult to control thanks to a unique design that features a hand shifter and feet operated dual rear brakes.
If you're not familiar with the Ace brand it's likely because the company only operated independently until 1927 when it was acquired by the Indian Motorcycle Company.
Jay Leno's Ford Model T
One of our favorite aspects of Jay Leno's collection is that he actually drives the vehicles he owns. In February 2008, Leno showed up in this Ford Model T at "A Wish for Animals" stand-up comedy night at the Laugh Factory.
The Ford Model T is one of the most famous cars of all-time so it's no surprise Leno would own a meticulously restored version of this famous make and model.
1969 Lamborghini Miura S At Jay Leno's Garage
The 1969 Lamborghini Miura S is the product of Italy's Bertone design house and it's perhaps one of the most famous cars ever designed by the company. The mid-engined Lambo is a favorite among collectors and has fetched between $1.5 and $1.75 million on the auction block.
The 1969 version of this supercar featured a V-12 with 365-horsepower and 285 lb-ft of torque with a 5-speed manual powertrain for Europe and North America. This Lamborghini could also accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds.
1928 Bugatti Type 37A
The 1928 Bugatti Type 37A was the company's first Grand Prix car and reaches speeds of nearly 100 mph, not bad for a vehicle that's also nearly 100 years old. With its flywheel to gearbox driveshaft, it's a car that reminds us to be thankful for modern-day technology.
The car features a 90 bhp, 1,496 cc supercharged inline four-cylinder engine with single Zenith carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and front and rear suspension. It also possesses four-wheel cable-operated drum brakes.
1950 Nash Ambassador
This 1950 Nash Ambassador might be one of the coolest in Jay Leno's collection. It's all original and unrestored, something we don't see every day from a vehicle that's 70 years old.
The 1950 Nash Ambassador features some really cool features including a select-o-matic-start, ultramatic transmission and weather eye, a revolutionary AC system at the time of the release of the car. Plus, it's just a really sleek classic automobile.
1913 Mercer Raceabout
It might look like a simple tractor, but no, this is much more than that. While it might appear that this thing isn't safe for the road, the 4.8 liter 4-cylinder engine can still reach 100 mph!
That type of prowess translated to this car becoming a popular choice before WWI for playboys who enjoyed racing. Leno enjoys driving this car and it looks really fun thanks to that strange spotlight ornament sitting in the middle.
1960s Pink Panthermobile
This 1960s Pink Panthermobile was designed by custom car builder Ed Newton. The thing is, the car was not initially meant to be driven but was created for the opening sequence of the 1969 animated television show The Pink Panther.
As a car aficionado, Leno wanted the pink car in his garage, paying $100,000 to build the custom vehicle.
1993 LCC Rocket
Jay Leno is known to drive this 1993 LC Rocket around the streets of Los Angeles. It's definitely not the most powerful vehicle in his collection but it looks like a lot of fun.
The 1993 LCC Rocket weighs in at just 850 pounds and is powered by a 1000cc Yamaha engine that is capable of pushing 143 or 165 horsepower. If you want to feel like a racecar driver on public roads, the LCC Rocket is a great way to go.
Jay Leno's Tank Car Is Unique And Powerful
Jay Leno showed up at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in this beautifully crafted custom vehicle. In true Leno style, it's a one of a kind powerhouse you won't find on a sales floor.
The "tank car" gets its name because of its build. This custom vehicle features a 30-liter V-12 Chrysler-build engine that derives from an M-47 Patton tank. It's the kind of car that we'd love to take down a straightaway.
1981 DeLorean: Back To The Future Replica
Jay Leno paid $750,000 for an exact replica of Doc Brown's DeLorean from the Back to the Future franchise. Speaking with Chris Hardwick, Leno explained that the car is a fully equipped replica, although he wouldn't explain what the flux capacitor does.
Leno also told Hardwick that the car is not without its flaws. The doors often don't operate properly and because the car is made from stainless steel, getting dents out is a huge pain.
1971 Mercedes Benz 280SE
Since Leno used to work at a Mercedes dealership, it comes as a surprise that he has this classic sitting pretty in his garage. And when we say classic, we mean that.
This is a one-owner 1971 Mercedes Benz 280SE from Las Vegas. It's a 3.5-liter coupe that had 82,000 original miles on it with bad rubber seals and a cracked windshield. Leno did the honors of restoring it back to the beauty it is.
Jay Leno's 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T is an iconic masterpiece of American-made muscle car history. With its Hemi power plant and its iconic design, this is a must-have for any Dodge collector and Jay Leno is one of those collectors.
The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T in mint-condition fetches up to $150,000 on the auction block. The muscle car features a V8 with 425-horsepower and 490 lb-ft torque. You'll definitely feel this muscle car's power when heading down an open stretch of road.
1941 Plymouth Special Deluxe Business Coupe
Leno bought this 1941 Plymouth Special Deluxe Business Coupe from a man named Fred the Kingpin. That isn't sketchy at all (yeah, right), but Leno probably didn't care what his name was at the time.
It's supposedly an original without restoration, but there were some added paint and tire changes. These cars came out during a time when there was no power steering or brakes, so to drive it you had to use brute strength.
1931 Shotwell
Imagine being 17 and inventing a three-wheeled car that a famed comedian ends up including in his garage of other immaculate cars one day. It's unfathomable, but it's true. This is the 1931 Shotwell that can get some serious speed.
A guy named Bob Shotwell built this vehicle in his garage and powered it with a 4-cylinder cool air Indian motorcycle engine. After Leno got his hands on it, he included some upgrades to it like an electric starter and fuel pump.
1963 Ford Falcon Sprint
What do you get when you add a 260 cubic-inch V8 into a small car? Well, you get Leno's 1963 Falcon Sprint that looks like a car Speedracer wouldn't mind giving a whirl.
Leno grew to love the Falcon when he worked at the Ford dealership as a teenager. Inside Leno's vehicle rests an engine more powerful than the original, which lets it get more power from the 5-speed transmission. Leno knows how to work his cars.
1964 Honda S600
You can hardly ever go wrong with a Honda, no matter how old it is. When the Honda S600 came out in the '60s, many thought it was out of place on the road among all the muscle cars.
Leno spent a ton to get this vehicle how he wanted it ($50-200 thousand), but he has the money to spare. He replaced the engine with a beefier model, but the mechanicals had a replacement job before Leno purchased it.
1969 Lotus Elan
Can you guess how long it took for this car to reach this level of beauty? It took about 18 months to restore this vehicle and create a car Leno would love.
During the process, Leno was quoted saying that he wanted to create the ultimate Lotus. Well, it looks like it was a mission accomplished as they stayed true to form by not including any electric parts. We'd love to drive this puppy around the block.
1972 Mercedes 600 Kompressor
They don't call this the grandfather of the S Class for no reason. The 1972 Mercedes 600 Kompressor isn't very easy to maintain, but that isn't a thing to Mr. Leno.
Maintenance is so difficult because the majority of the car operates off of a hydraulic-based system (that includes the windows!). Unfortunately, when they break, you have to pay $11,500 for repairs. Not everyone has that kind of money readily available like Leno does, obviously.
1952 MG TD Hot Rod
Leno pulled off quite the enhancement to this 1952 MG TD Hot Rod. It looks like a smooth ride all around, but there's something different about the tires Leno has on his.
Leno exchanged the stock 48 horsepower for 340 horsepower! When he did so, he had to change the rear tires and they're huge now! We wonder how often he takes this bad boy out for a spin, or does he just let it collect dust?
2012 Tata Nano
Known as the world's cheapest car (around $3,400), the 2012 Tata Nano now lives in Leno's garage. For a car that anyone can own, why would Leno invest in this vehicle?
Well, Tata Motors gladly gave this special version to Leno. Usually, these things produce 38 horsepower. This one that Leno owns is different because it has high-end features like alloy wheels. That's enough to have Leno dress up and praise this car on his YouTube channel.
2012 Tesla Model S
Electric cars might soon become the new normal, but Leno already invested in what might be the face of them when he added the 2012 Tesla Model S. He even did a burnout on video in it!
Leno says electric-powered cars are fine, and they help get reduce the number of less amazing gasoline-powered cars on the road. He says the commutes to work are better! Who are we to disagree with the master of cars?
1906 Stanley Steamer Vanderbilt Cup Racer
Leno is the king of having cars that look like Usain Bolt can beat them in a race. Well, without some of the mods, Bolt probably can do that. What about his 1906 Stanley Steamer Vanderbilt Cup Racer?
After failing in 2007, Leno rebuilt it better than ever. One of the changes he made was the brakes. He switched the manual drum brakes with hydraulic drum brakes taken from a Jaguar XK120. That's a smooth move.
1959 Oldsmobile Super 88
When this car came out and you owned one, you were the man. We could theorize that the 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 is responsible for the baby boom, but that's a story for another day.
With a 315 horsepower 314 cubic inch V8 engine, this car lets out a thunderous roar as it drove down the street. It has stylized tail lights with an extra large trunk as well. It's safe to say this car found its home in Leno's garage.
1963 Jaguar E-Type
Of course, Leno had to add one of Britain's most iconic sports cars to his collection. Who wouldn't want to see this 1963 Jaguar E-Type in their garage? It looks so amazing.
Restoring Leno's Jaguar took 3,000 hours and the finished product weighed only 2,200 pounds. That's probably thanks to the body panels getting replaced with aluminum, despite the 35-gallon fuel cell and roll cage. It must be fun driving this thing on the highway!
1958 Imperial Convertible
When it comes to convertibles, lots of people take pride in their collection. From rappers to athletes, they all want the best drop-tops to cruise around in during the summer, but do they compete with Leno's?
Here we have the 1958 Imperial Convertible, which was one of the largest you could buy in 1958. It grew a great reputation thanks to the gigantic 392 Hemi under the hood. Leno had to get a hold of one.
1989 Bentley Turbo R
The '80s did something right when they released this 1989 Bentley Turbo R. They say nothing good except music came from that decade, but they forgot to mention this bad boy.
Originally debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in '85, it didn't get across the pond to the states until '88. Back then, it was a 4-door sedan that could reach a top speed of 145 mph with a 6.75-liter V8 engine inside it.
1966 Lincoln Continental
Imagine having an original classic with little to no damage to it. That's why Leno loves and appreciates his 1966 Lincoln Continental so much, because it still has much of its originality.
Leno owns one of only 21,7347 convertibles made, and we're not taking it lightly when we say it's a showstopper. It's a car that you have to drive real slow so everybody can see you (like Will Smith said). Few cars are as special as this beauty.
2012 McLaren MP4-12C
When you talk about supercars, you have to mention the McLaren. These things are mighty and bring in all the stares you can imagine. When Leno first got this, he went crazy!
After the company built it for him, they invited him across the pond so he could test drive it and he immediately fell in love with it. Well, who wouldn't?! There's a "normal" mode you use for just cruising around the town so he doesn't get completely out of control with it.
1962 Maserati 3500 GTi
Leno came across this 1962 Maserati 3500 GTi while looking for an Aston Martin DB5. Perhaps he wanted to be like James Bond, but instead, became obsessed with this Maserati found in a storage locker.
He bought it for $25,000 with the odometer almost at 100,000 miles. The engine worked so well that he never had to rebuild it! It's a great look honestly, and now we want one for ourselves. Hey, people can dream.
