Jay Leno’s car collection is legendary. From vintage classics to modern supercars, Leno has amassed over 180 vehicles, each with its own history and meaning. His passion for automobiles is evident in all aspects of his life, from his career as a comedian to his love of restoring and collecting cars. From Japanese classics to one-off creations with unconventional designs, Leno has iconic cars from different eras and different parts of the world. His garage is estimated to be worth between $52 million and $100 million. There are some cars, like the EcoJet, that are priceless. No one can enter Jay Lenoin the garage, the visit is by invitation only.
But of all the remarkable vehicles parked in your garage, which cars stand out from the rest as the most exceptional and remarkable? In this article, we will delve into the world of Jay Jay’s garage and rank the top 10 cars in his collection. Get ready to discover some of the most exquisite automobiles on the planet and explore what makes them so unique and sought after. So buckle up and join us on this journey through one of the most impressive car collections in the world.
10 2007 Ariel Atom
Don’t let its go-kart appearance fool you, the Ariel Atom is as powerful as a modern sports car. It was originally designed in England, by Simon Saunders. But the model owned by Leno is the first licensed copy, made in the United States by Brammo Motorsports, Oregon. The original UK model has a Honda engine, while Leno’s Ariel Atom has a supercharged 2.0-litre Chevrolet Cobalt EcoTech engine, making 300bhp.
This beast can go from 0 to 60 in just 2.8 seconds. The Atom has an almost bare-bones design with mostly carbon fiber panels, making it weigh just 1,350 pounds.
9 Special Blastolene
Dubbed “Jay Leno’s Tank Car”, the Blastolene Special is an exceptional custom vehicle created by renowned American craftsman Randy Grubb, acclaimed for his unconventional designs. The car is powered by a Continental AV1790-5B engine, which is as heavy as a Volkswagen Beetle and was previously fitted to the 51-ton M47 Patton tank in the 1950s. Initially, the engine produced 810 hp, but it was later improved by adding fuel injection and two turbochargers, to produce a whopping 1,600 horsepower.
Interestingly, this iconic car also ended up in the video game Gran Turismo 4, as the Jay Leno Tank Car. Previously, this monstrous machine could only manage a mere 2-3 miles per gallon, but after replacing the transmission, its fuel efficiency increased to 5 miles per gallon.
8 1939 Lagonda V12 replica
Although not an authentic original, Jay Leno’s replica of a special Le Mans racer is worth an estimated $2.56 million, due to its impeccable craftsmanship. The original Le Mans Specials, created by Lagonda and designed by WO Bentley, were painstakingly hand-built from aluminum and wood, and only 12 were produced. So Leno acquired his replica from “Lagonda Joe” Harding , a skilled restorer who used authentic parts and components to recreate this stunning version.
Featuring a fiery red color scheme, this iconic car has bodywork that looks similar to that of the original Le Mans racer. Leno’s Lagonda V12 replica is powered by a 4.5-liter V12 engine, which makes 206 hp.
7 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupe
Jay Leno considers the 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupe the most legendary Mercedes of all. He believes that it should also achieve the credibility of the first supercar, alongside the Lamborghini Miura. The specific model owned by Jay Leno has its interior redesigned by famed Hot Rod upholstery maker Tony Nancy. Her bright candy red custom paint job is done by Junior’s House of Color in South Gate, California.
Leno bought the car in very poor condition and put in a new engine and transmission. Now with the 3.0-liter inline 6 engine, the Gullwing Coupe is rated at 180 hp. It can also go from 0 to 60 in about 8.8 seconds
6 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 Compressor
Jay Leno himself called the 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 Kompressor his favorite car, many times. It was the biggest road car with the biggest wheels in 1963. It cost about $25,000 at the time, cheaper than a Rolls-Royce. Leno has always admired this car since his college days when he worked at a Mercedes dealership. The Mercedes-Benz 600 Kompressor was built without regard to cost. From Germany to China, influential political figures around the world owned one of these cars.
From the windows to the sunroof, this car was completely hydraulic, with no electrical parts. This is one of the reasons why it was so expensive. Powered by the original 6.2-liter V8 engine and an aftermarket supercharger, Jay Leno’s Kompressor makes 525 hp.
5 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe
Like many other cars in Jay Leno’s garage, this 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe has an interesting backstory. This is the only aerodynamic Duesenberg model ever produced, and it also happens to be the most expensive. With an estimated value of $20 million, this Walker Coupe is the most expensive car owned by Leno. About its backstory, this Walker Coupe was specially designed for Josiah Lilly, the owner of Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals. He adapted this car to have a modern and aerodynamic look. Therefore, it included an aerodynamic design with a V-shaped windshield, a smooth roofline, biplane bumpers and fenders that perfectly housed the headlights.
According to Leno’s observations, the cost of his front grill alone was equivalent to the value of a house in the 1930s, which was about $1200. Under the hood, the Duesenberg Walker Coupe had a 6.9-liter inline-8 engine that generated 265 hp.
4 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400
The 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 is a living piece of history, one of the most expensive cars in Leno’s garage. This car is widely regarded as the father of supercars, the first supercar ever built. Only 764 Miuras entered the production line, and most can be seen in car museums around the world. And Leno has two of these beauties, a ’67 Miura P400 and a ’69 Miura S. The Miura P400 has a 3.9-liter V12 engine (350 hp), mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. It could go from 0 to 60 in just 6.7 seconds.
Leno’s P400 was owned by famous singer Dean Martin. It’s a very light car, weighing in at just 2,600 pounds. According to Leno, the chassis isn’t stiff at all, it flexes a lot. It does not have power windows, air conditioning or bumper protection. But overall it’s a very fun car to drive.
3 1994 McLaren F1
Jay Leno enthusiastically calls the 1994 McLaren F1 “the greatest car ever made.” Dutch pilot Ben Pon Jr. he owned this F1, before selling it to Leno for $800,000. The current price of this iconic supercar is $20 million, making it the second most expensive car in Jay’s garage. This supercar has a 627-horsepower 6.1-liter V12 engine developed by BMW’s M division. When it came out, it was the fastest car of its time, with a top speed of 241 mph.
It is a fairly light car with carbon fiber bodywork, which is quite rare for a street legal car from the 1990s. The F1 stands out for its unique feature, a single driver’s seat placed in the middle. This unique configuration provides the driver with a Formula 1-like driving experience.
2 2010 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita
The nickname “Trevita” is derived from a combination of Swedish words meaning “three whites”. The Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita is named so for its exceptional exterior finish, which is the result of a special carbon fiber coating in a distinctive silvery white hue. Until the introduction of the Trevita, conventional black carbon fiber was the only option for automakers. Koenigsegg revolutionized the industry by inventing a unique fiber coating process that altered the color of the fibers to a brilliant silvery white.
Koenigsegg’s own founder, Christian von Koenigsegg, personally delivered this Trevita to Leno. Its aluminum Koenigsegg DOHC V8 engine of 4.7 liters helps it reach 1018 hp. This specific model in Jay’s garage also runs on biofuel.
1 2006 EcoJet
This concept car in Jay’s garage is literally priceless. Leno collaborated with General Motors to design this car, making it one of his favorite cars. Instead of a traditional engine, this futuristic car is powered by a Honeywell LTS101 gas turbine, which is typically used in helicopters. This car runs primarily on biofuel, but has two oil tanks. One contains the biofuel and one contains Jet A kerosene. The jet fuel helps the turbine start smoothly, it also helps the engine stay clean at the end of the trip (biofuels have a tendency to clog) .
Its interiors include an Azentek in-car computer system running the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. This computer system is equipped with two LCD screens, both located on the dashboard.
