Car collections come in all shapes and sizes, but there are few who can match the collection owned by comedian Jay Leno. He is one of the most prolific motor enthusiasts on the planet, owning 286 vehicles. His array of cars is so large that he had to build a custom garage that’s the size of three football-field size warehouses to fit all of them inside.
Leno has a show called Jay Leno’s Garage, which features in-depth videos and pictures of the cars he owns. Among the most expensive cars in his collection are an Audi R8 Spyder, a 1963 Chrysler Turbine, a 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupe and a 1994 McLaren F1.
We take a look at a few of the most interesting cars in Leno’s garage.
1909 Stanley Steamer
The 1909 Stanley Steamer has a unique design, as it’s made of wood, with the hood being the only metal piece. It contains a dry engine, meaning the driver has to stop every 50 miles and transfer fuel because there’s no oil in the engine. The car has no electrical pieces and all pumps are run by hand. An interesting fact about the car is that when it was first built it was the fastest of its kind, topping 127mph.
1929 Bentley Speed 6
Leno’s 1929 Bentley Speed 6 is a gorgeous car, with a long nose and sleek build. It originally had a 6-litre engine that was upgraded to an 8. Different parts have been changed to make it a more useable car for the modern era. Two SU carburetors have been replaced with three and the ignition has been updated.
1931 Duesenberg Model J Town Car
Bought in 2005, Leno restored the 1931 Duesenberg Model J to its former glory with the help of expert Randy Ema. They were the height of class in the 30s, and Leno upgraded the Model J with a chrome trim and embroidered peach interior.
1954 Jaguar XK120M Coupe
The Jaguar XK120 was manufactured between 1948 and 1954 and were powered by a 3.4-litre straight six engine. It was one of the most successful sports car of its era and possesses stylish curves.
1963 Chrysler Turbine Car
One of the rarest cars in Leno’s collection, the 1963 Turbine is an example of a revolutionary vehicle. Chrysler developed 55 with a gas turbine engine and 203 families were chosen to test drive them for three months. The car was never made available to the public and all 55 cars were destroyed, save for 9. Leno is one of only two people in the world to own a Chrysler, having paid £339301.
1986 Lamborghini Countach
The 1986 Lamborghini Countach is one of Leno’s favourite cars and he’s used it as his daily driver. The car features a Quattro V12 5.2 litre engine and reaches a top speed of 170-175 mph. It has 70,000 miles on the odometer, making it one of the comedian’s most travelled cars.
