Apart from being a phenomenal host and comedic genius, Leno is also a revered figure in the automotive realm, driven by an unwavering passion for amassing and restoring classic cars and motorcycles.
Leno’s collection boasts everything from rare vintage gems from esteemed marques like Bentley and Lamborghini, to cutting-edge hypercars from the likes of McLaren and Koenigsegg.
With a staggering net worth of $450 million, Jay Leno has been able to curate an extensive collection of over 300 vehicles, encompassing classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles, and modern supercars. Today, we’ll delve into some of the most expensive and prized automobiles in Jay Leno’s automotive sanctuary. We’ll also highlight a few cars that may not command the highest price tags, but hold a special place in Leno’s garage.
So, without further ado, let’s embark on a journey through Jay Leno’s car collection.
16. The Cheapest 21st Century car in Jay Leno’s Garage: 2012 Tata Nano
The Tata Nano was conceived to cater to the Indian consumer base accustomed to two-wheeled transportation, offering an affordable stepping stone to car ownership.
It was a unique and innovative stride forward from the Indian automotive giant Tata Motors, rendering it a valuable addition to any collection.
| 2012 Tata Nano | Specs |
| Price | $2,000 (approx.) |
| Engine | 624 cc twin-cylinder gasoline engine |
| Power | 35 HP |
| Torque | 35.4 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 4 Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | 65 MPH |
When Jay had his Nano shipped from India to his Los Angeles garage, he humorously donned traditional Indian attire for a video. He took it for a spin on the track since it wasn’t street legal, and according to him, it perfectly fulfilled its intended purpose. The car delivered an impressive fuel efficiency figure of almost 60 MPG, a rarity in today’s automotive landscape.
15. Jay Leno’s First Car- 1934 Ford Pickup Truck
Jay Leno’s automotive journey began with a 1934 Ford pickup truck. In a 2015 interview with Petrolicious, Leno reminisced about purchasing the truck at the tender age of 14 for a mere $350. Leno and his dad stumbled upon the abandoned vehicle at a gas station in Reading, Massachusetts.
They decided to buy it on the spot. However, Leno struggled to recall how they transported the dilapidated, non-running truck home.
He recounted, “I bought a ’34 Ford pickup truck, and it didn’t run, and my dad said, ‘You’ve got two years before you get your license, so get busy working on it.’ I learned how to fix it and make it run.“
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| 1934 Ford Pickup Truck | Specs |
| Price (at the time) | $350 |
| Engine | 3.6-L V8 |
| Power | 85 HP |
| Torque | 130 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 3 Speed Automatic |
| 0-60 MPH | 17.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 76 mph |
His old Ford truck was not only his first car but also the first one he successfully repaired and brought to life. According to Leno, having a driver’s license in the early 1960s was a gift that granted his testosterone-fueled adolescence freedom and joy. Having a functional truck certainly aided in that quest. As mentioned earlier, he eventually traded the pickup for a Datsun 1600 a few years later.
14. Jay Leno’s Favorite Car- 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 Kompressor
While Leno adores each and every vehicle in his collection, he harbors a particular affection for one. Surprisingly, it’s neither the priciest nor the most distinctive vehicle in his collection. It is a 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 Kompressor.
The Mercedes-Benz 600 Kompressor was built with no expense spared. In truth, Mercedes did not design this car with affordability in mind. Instead, they opted to employ the finest materials, regardless of cost, to create the most luxurious car imaginable. It was the most expensive car ever produced at the time.
Leno’s fondness for this car stems from its robust engine, opulent interior, and distinctive hydraulic system. However, he has also acknowledged a soft spot for all Mercedes-Benz automobiles because, before his big break in show business, he worked at one of the company’s showrooms.
| 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 Kompressor | Specs |
| Price | $94,000 |
| Engine | 6.2-L V8 |
| Power | 247 hp |
| Torque | 369 ft-lb |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| 0-60 MPH | 9.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 126 mph |
| Exterior Color | Dark Brown |
It took him some time to save up for one, but once he did, he set about restoring it to its former glory using a non-factory supercharger, which boosts the 6.3-liter V8’s power to 525 horsepower. The playful design that makes the Kompressor a treasure in his collection was preserved despite the new paint job he gave it.
What is Jay Leno’s Favorite Car Company?
While Jay Leno may have a soft spot for Mercedes-Benz, he doesn’t consider them to be his favorite car company. According to Leno, McLaren tops the list due to their dedication to creating cutting-edge automobiles that are constantly one step ahead of their rivals.
13. Jay Leno’s Daily Driver- Tesla Model S Plaid
According to Jay Leno, although he enjoys driving most of his cars out of his garage, he only drives them occasionally. He also stated that he prefers electric cars as his daily driver. So it’s no surprise that Jay Leno’s current daily driver is a Tesla Model S Plaid he purchased in 2021. The 2021 Model S Plaid is one of the fastest and most powerful electric sedans in the world.
Long before the Model S Plaid became his daily driver, Leno admitted in an interview with The New York Times that he used to drive a 2011 Chevy Volt as his primary vehicle. According to him, he would drive the Volt to and from the studio where The Tonight Show with Jay Leno was recorded.
A few years later, he revealed that he had upgraded to a 2015 Tesla Model S P90D. Leno was amazed that the car needed no maintenance or repairs during its six-year lifespan. To extend the battery’s life, he also made an effort to keep his vehicle charged between 80 and 90% of its capacity.
| Tesla Model S Plaid | Specs |
| Price | $149,990 |
| Engine | 3 electric motors |
| Power | 1020 hp |
| Torque | 1050 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Single-speed direct drive |
| 0-60 MPH | 1.99 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 mph |
After owning the Model S P90D for around 6 years, he ended up selling it at an auction and purchasing a Model S Plaid, which is essentially a newer, faster, and more powerful version of the previous Model S he owned.
12. 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Another epic car from Jay Leno’s garage was the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which can be considered one of the first few hypercars of the early 21st century. As the name suggests, it was built through a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, and boy-oh-boy, it was special.
The front engine layout and the inclusion of a supercharger meant that it would have a prodigious amount of power and would be able to make any other supercar feel ashamed if it was in the right hands.
| Benz SLR McLaren | Specs |
| Price | $455,500 |
| Engine | 5.4-liter supercharged V8 |
| Power | 617 hp |
| Torque | 575 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 207 MPH |
This was a behemoth back in the day; the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was designed to surpass the 200 MPH barrier, and it certainly did. To harness such ferocity, Michelin was tasked with developing a new rubber compound, and the Pilot Sport PS2 kept traction in check for the monster.
11. 1986 Lamborghini Countach
Among Leno’s collection of classic cars is an iconic Lamborghini from the 1980s, the Lamborghini Countach, which has amassed an enormous following over the years. It was a car that demanded skill and effort to truly enjoy driving. At that time, its direct rival was the Ferrari Testarossa, but it was very different from the Testa.
The Testarossa was calm and gentle, and even though it was a Ferrari, it could transition between a street car and a race car based on the pressure from your right foot. On the other hand, the Countach was fun but required a lot of experience and effort to drive around the city.
| 1986 Lamborghini Countach | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | $569,000 |
| Engine | 5.2-liter V12 |
| Power | 420 hp |
| Torque | 368 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 185 MPH |
It had probably the least visibility compared to other supercars of its time. But what it had was raw power, and once you became a skilled and experienced driver, you’d never wish to go back to the gentle red, even though that was far more comfortable to live with.
10. Ford GT
Jay Leno has always been a Ford enthusiast, and that’s evident in his collection of various Ford cars. The 2017 Ford GT is an exclusive car, with only a privileged few buyers like Jay Leno across the globe. He was one of the first ones to get the car in America.
| Ford GT | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | >$1 Million |
| Engine | 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 |
| Power | 647 hp |
| Torque | 550 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 7-speed DCT |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 216 MPH |
| Exterior Color | Black with Orange Stripes |
Originally priced at about $450,000, Jay Leno’s 2017 Ford GT is valued at more than $1 million. In a video, Jay showcases the titanium exhaust he recently installed on the car with the help of Jason Heffner.
9. 1963 Chrysler Turbine
The 1963 Chrysler Turbine is one of the most prized pearls in Jay Leno’s garage. The bodywork of this two-door hardtop coupe is valued at more than $1.0 million and was designed by the Italian Design Studio Carrozzeria Ghia, while Chrysler completed the assembly in Detroit.
The presence of a turbine engine under its hood and the limited production run of just 55 examples (including 5 prototype vehicles) made this car a collector’s item. Currently, only nine examples survive in the world.
| 1963 Chrysler Turbine | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | >$1.0 Million |
| Engine | A-831 fourth-generation turbine engine |
| Power | 130 hp |
| Torque | 425 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic |
| 0-60 MPH | 12 seconds |
| Top Speed | 141 MPH |
| Exterior Color | Turbine Bronze with Black Roof |
The unique selling point of this car was its turbine engine, making it capable of running on different fuels like diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, and even kerosene. The engine idled at 18,000-22,000 rpm, which is surely a novelty compared to today’s four-stroke piston engines. The car took about 12 seconds to reach 60 mph and reached a top speed of 141 mph.
8. 2014 McLaren P1
The 2014 McLaren P1, owned by Jay Leno and intricately valued at $1.35 million, was the very first P1 car on the United States market. Jay Leno has been associated with McLaren for quite some time now, and that allowed him to grab one before the crowd.
The McLaren P1 was a plug-in hybrid model and boasted superior performance from its hybrid powertrain. The P1 featured a 212-pound liquid-cooled battery pack for feeding power to the single electric motor.
| 2014 McLaren P1 | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | $1.35 Million |
| Engine | 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 and electric motor |
| Power | 727 hp (engine) and 177 hp (motor) |
| Torque | 532 lb-ft (engine) and 192 lb-ft (motor) |
| Transmission | 7-speed DCT |
| 0-60 MPH | 2.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 217 MPH |
| Exterior Color | Yellow |
With an E-mode, the McLaren P1 offered just 6 miles of pure electric driving. The battery pack could be recharged via a charger or energy regeneration while braking. The bright yellow exterior color of the P1 is a sight to behold.
What Car Does Jay Leno Avoid Buying?
In this article and the upcoming list of cars, you won’t find any Ferrari, and there’s a reason for that. Jay Leno loves Ferrari’s cars as products, but he isn’t a fan of the Ferrari dealership system or their behavior towards customers. Yes, Ferraris are exclusive, and buying one is like having a membership in one of the oldest carmakers in the world.
But the nature of the business feels very unfriendly to him. In an interview, he compared Ferrari dealerships to McLaren; he expressed that McLaren people are much friendlier and more understanding about what the customer needs and what they don’t. They don’t force customers into paying extra for unnecessary services, and that’s something you won’t typically find in a Ferrari dealership. This is the sole reason why Jay Leno avoids Ferraris, even though he loves the cars from Maranello.
7. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL was modern and way ahead of its competitors. Valued at $1.8 million, the modern coupe with gullwing doors garnered unfiltered attention from enthusiasts around the world.
Jay Leno is the third owner of this car, and he installed the engine and gearbox of this car with his mechanical team. The rare specimen is said to offer 180 hp, which is less than the claimed output of 215 hp. However, most manufacturers at that time specified more horsepower than what the engine actually produced.
| 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | $1.8 Million |
| Engine | 3.0-liter inline-six |
| Power | 180 hp |
| Torque | 203 lb-ft (est) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| 0-60 MPH | 8.8 seconds (est) |
| Top Speed | 131 MPH |
| Exterior Color | Red |
The red 300SL with gullwing doors featured an aluminum space frame chassis and a Bosch fuel injection system, a novelty at the time. As part of the restoration process, even the ribbed brake drums were sourced from Mercedes-Benz, and it’s surprising that Mercedes still offers many parts for vintage cars like these.
6. 1939 Lagonda V12
Lagonda needs no introduction, and the brand was responsible for making reproductions of the fastest cars of the time. Jay Leno’s 1939 Lagonda V12 is valued at $2.56 million, and finding one like this in good condition is next to impossible.
Jay Leno is proud of his 1939 Lagonda V12 and brings this rare specimen to multiple road shows in the U.S. With its super exclusive nature and custom work done by Jay Leno, the Lagonda V12 could be worth more in the future.
| 1939 Lagonda V12 | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | $2.56 Million |
| Engine | 4.5-liter V12 |
| Power | 206 hp |
| Torque | N/A |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| 0-60 MPH | 8.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 125 MPH |
| Exterior Color | Red |
Jay Leno had an exact, custom-built replica of the original Bentley-designed Le Mans racer constructed. Only 189 examples of the Lagonda V12 were ever sold on the market. Jay Leno’s custom roadster is painted in the iconic red color, which is impossible to miss on the roads.
5. 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400
The 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 is regarded as the foundation of the modern-day supercar. Jay Leno’s Miura P400 is valued at $3.5 million, and what makes this breed of Italian supercar super exclusive is that only 764 examples of this car entered production.
Many Miura P400s can be found in automotive museums across the globe. With its limited production and segment-leading specifications in 1967, Jay Leno is a proud owner of one.
| 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | $3.5 Million |
| Engine | 3.9-liter V12 |
| Power | 350 hp |
| Torque | 271 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual transmission |
| 0-60 MPH | 6.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 172 mph |
| Exterior Color | Orange |
The Miura P400 sported a power-to-weight ratio of 0.12 hp/lb. Jay Leno’s Orange Miura P400 is well-maintained, just like his other cars, and is an impressive piece of art from the Lamborghini factory.
4. 1928 Bentley Speed 6
The 1928 Bentley Speed 6 is one of the most sporty examples of Bentley’s past. Jay Leno’s 1928 Speed 6 is estimated to be valued somewhere between $3.5 million and $4 million and is well worth the price.
The Speed 6 was in production for only four odd years between 1926 and 1930, and only 544 examples were produced during the same period.
| 1928 Bentley Speed 6 | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | $3.5-$4 Million |
| Engine | 6.6-liter inline-six |
| Power | 180 hp |
| Torque | – |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| 0-60 MPH | 10 seconds |
| Top Speed | 84 MPH |
| Exterior Color | Dark Green |
The 1928 Bentley Speed 6 participated in the 24-hour Le Mans championship in 1929 and 1930. Originally powered by a 6.6-liter inline-six engine with 4 valves per cylinder heads, Leno upgraded it to 8-liters and SU carburetors instead of the two that were installed in the original engine.
3. 2010 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita
The 2010 Koenigsegg is a super-exclusive Koenigsegg car, with only three examples ever produced. Jay Leno’s rare Koenigsegg is valued at $4.8 million, and we think it is quite fair, especially when considering the fact that the car was delivered to Jay Leno by none other than Mr. Christian Von Koenigsegg himself. This particular iteration of the CCXR could be run on biofuel as well.
| 2010 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | $4.8 Million |
| Engine | 4.8-liter V8 |
| Power | 1004 hp |
| Torque | 797 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual transmission |
| 0-60 MPH | 2.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 254+ mph |
| Exterior Color | Silver |
As the name suggests, the “Trevita” is colored in three shades of white, with its carbon weave bodywork depicting the insane level of craftsmanship. The manufacturer went the extra mile to infuse diamonds inside the visible carbon fiber bodywork.
2. McLaren F1
The 1994 McLaren F1 is “the greatest car ever made,” according to Jay Leno. This particular McLaren F1 that is part of Leno’s collection was previously owned by former Dutch racing driver Ben Pon Jr.
He had the car for about a year before he ended up selling it to Jay for $800,000, which is a steal when you think about its current value of $20 million.
The McLaren F1 was designed by Gordon Murray, who was known for designing F1 cars for teams like Brabham and McLaren. The McLaren F1 was the fastest car in the world when it was released, with a top speed of 240 mph.
It was also one of the rarest cars in the world, with a total of 107 examples being manufactured. Out of 107, only 64 were made with similar specifications as the one owned by Jay Leno, making his case even more exclusive.
| McLaren F1 | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | $20 Million |
| Engine | 6.1-liter V12 |
| Power | 627 hp |
| Torque | 479 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 241 MPH |
| Exterior Color | Black |
The McLaren F1 includes a carbon fiber body, which was extremely rare for a street-legal vehicle in the 1990s. In the car, the driver sits in the middle for a typical Formula 1 feel, and it is lighter than a Mazda MX-5 Miata, boasting a power-to-weight ratio of 550 hp per ton.
1. 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe
The black 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe is the most expensive car in Jay Leno’s car collection. Its original MSRP was around $25,000 back when it was on sale in 1934. However, the one in Leno’s garage is valued at a b owing to its exclusivity and uniqueb.
The car was bought by Jay Leno for around $0.5 million, and surely it turned out to be a worthy investment. It was the only aerodynamic model in its lineup and boasted several advanced specifications for its time.
| 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe | Specs |
| Price (Valuation) | $20 Million |
| Engine | 6.9-liter inline-eight |
| Power | 265 hp |
| Torque | 374 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| 0-60 MPH | – |
| Top Speed | 140 MPH |
| Exterior Color | Black |
Jay Leno’s Duesenberg was originally built for Josiah Lilly, a car enthusiast and pharmaceutical entrepreneur. This particular model featured a chassis lubricator, a cast-aluminum firewall, and a $1200 grille. The 1934 Duesenberg was way more powerful than any other car of its time, offering 265 hp and 374 lb-ft of torque. However, it was too cramped for two full-size adults, and soon the company went bankrupt, making this powerful car super rare.
Special Mention- The Priceless Car
Jay Leno’s turbine-engine-powered Ecojet Concept was a result of collaboration between him and GM. It debuted in 2006 and was designed with input from Jay Leno himself. The Ecojet Concept’s chassis was a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with modified aluminum and magnesium components. The car was meant to be driven on roads and for several road shows as well.
| 2006 Jay Leno Ecojet Concept | Specs |
| Price | Priceless |
| Engine | Honeywell LT-101 turbine engine |
| Power | 650 hp |
| Torque | 400 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic transmission |
| 0-60 MPH | – |
| Top Speed | 165 MPH |
| Exterior Color | Silver |
The most interesting thing about this car is that it runs on biodiesel and has two fuel tanks. The turbine engine offered 650 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. In the test run, the Ecojet was capable of reaching a top speed of 165 mph. It also featured a vegan interior and two LCD screens on the dashboard with Windows Vista OS. With such an unconventional powertrain and features for its time, the 2006 Ecojet is priceless and cannot be valued.
FAQ’s
When did Jay Leno start collecting cars?
Jay Leno’s first car was a 1934 Ford pickup truck that he bought for just $350 in 1964 at the age of 14. He ended up trading that truck for a Datsun 1600 soon after. In 1970, he ended up moving to California, and one of the first things he bought was a 1955 Buick Roadmaster, which he still has in his collection. One could say that the 1955 Roadmaster was the beginning of his car collection because he has never sold any of his cars since, except for a Tesla Model S that he sold at an auction in 2021.
How Much Is Jay Leno’s Car Collection Worth?
Jay Leno’s car collection is estimated to be worth $52 million, according to DuPont Registry estimates as of July 2022. This figure is considered very conservative by many people. His collection includes over 180 cars and 160 motorcycles, and he is known for rarely selling his vehicles. Leno has explained that he keeps his cars mainly as a way to showcase his collection to enthusiasts and to use them as regular transportation.
Does Jay Leno have a YouTube channel?
Yes, Jay Leno has a YouTube channel called “Jay Leno’s Garage.” The show features a variety of content, including car reviews, interviews with car industry professionals, behind-the-scenes looks at his car collection and garage, and much more. Fans can check out his YouTube channel.
What are the rarest cars in Jay Leno’s collection?
These are the rarest cars in Jay Leno’s garage:
- 1931 Shotwell (One of one)
- 1963 Jaguar XK-E V12 Short Wheelbase (One of one)
- 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe (One of one)
- 2010 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita (One of Two ever made)
- 1963 Chrysler Turbine (One of 50 ever made)
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