Site MapJay Leno’s Breathtaking Car Collection
Look at a few of our favorites
(Originally published March 4, 2022)
Jay Leno is famous for his decades-long career in comedy and as a “The Tonight Show” host. These days, however, car enthusiasts know him as the denim-clad, car-collecting juggernaut of his immensely popular CNBC show, “Jay Leno’s Garage.”
Leno’s personal collection of cars and motorcycles is legendary, one of the largest in the world. It is clear when he talks about anything he has or is looking at on the show that he has a true love for cars and motorbikes, rather than a passing fancy for the purpose of boasting or hosting.
Because of this, it is actually a real pleasure to watch him on the show. Even if you’re not an enthusiast, his zeal is so infectious that it pulls you in and makes you interested in how a camshaft works and why he cares about it, even if you didn’t even know you were interested.
As fans and enthusiasts, we wanted to take a look at some of our favorites that have been featured on Leno’s show.
1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire
This particular car is a true rarity. Fewer than 10,000 were produced and only 150 remain as working cars. Along with the Chevy Corvair, it was in 1963 the first production car with a turbocharged engine, the original muscle car as it were. The Jetfire might look like an ordinary sedan from the early ’60s, but under the hood it’s anything but. For example, the turbocharger literally requires rocket fuel, methyl alcohol and water. Although it was not a smash hit with consumers, it lives on in the hearts of enthusiasts.
1994 McLaren F1
Leno’s McLaren F1 is an absolute stunner. (Fstoppers.com) This one actually belongs to Leno’s collection, and we’re not shy in saying that it is absolutely one of our very favorites. We love Ferraris and Porsches like nobody’s business, but there’s something intangibly special about the McLaren F1. Doug DeMuro called it one of the best cars even made, which is why is it probably sells for millions today. It’s the only production car to ever win Le Mans. The fact that it also held the title as the world’s fastest production car for more than a decade is why we love it so much.
2022 Mustang Mach E GT
The most recent addition to the garage as of this writing is the new Mustang EV. Many in the auto enthusiast world were nearly driven to riot after it was announced that the Mustang badge would rest on an all-electric crossover SUV. But when people actually got their hands on one, the tune of the conversation changed. It was obvious from the dual motor GT version’s output of 480 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds that this wasn’t just a cynical marketing ploy. This car has serious enthusiast-level performance while also being super practical. It’s no wonder that Jay Leno appreciates it.
1971 Citroen DS
The DS is an all-time favorite. (Autoevolution.com) The Citroen DS is one of the finest automobiles to come out of France and all of Europe, for that matter. It’s a favorite of enthusiasts the world over, including French enthusiasts like Richard Romagny. This one also belongs to Leno personally, and he has said, “It’s fabulous to drive … The DS is probably the most-comfortable car ever built.” High praise from a guy that owns multiple Mercedes. It’s also, as all French cars tend to be, rugged – having competed in the Dakar rally several times over the years. This car has serious pedigree.
1963 Chrysler Turbine
OK, so you know that a car lover like Jay Leno has some slightly whacky contraptions from years past. We happen to love this one, the Chrysler Turbine. This one-of-a-kind classic was an experiment by Chrysler back in the 1960s and was meant to eliminate the need for piston driven-engines altogether by making an engine that could power a drivetrain with anything combustible. Theoretically, even vegetable oil can make it run. Only nine of these exist in the world, and its warms our hearts like a Philly cheesesteak that an aficionado as conscientious Leno owns one.
