You might know Jay Leno best – or at least know him by now as a comedian, the guy who made light of Leno versus Letterman on the late-night Friday scene, or The Tonight Show host who replaced Carson and later Conan.
But you might not know the other side of Leno. He assembles cars. A long time ago, he decided to pick up, here or there, cars he either thought were cool, wanted to learn about, or stumbled upon.
Because he was wealthy enough, this hobby grew into what’s now Big Dog Garage in Burbank, California, a sprawling warehouse of more than 180 cars and nearly as many motorcycles. This article looks at the breadth and depth of Leno’s incredible automotive collection.
The Scope of Jay Leno’s Car Collection
By 2024, Leno had more than 180 cars. His collection is impressive and diverse. It ranges from the very first internal combustion-powered cars to the latest hypercars. It includes cars from around the world and from virtually every automaker.
Noteworthy Vintage Cars in Jay Leno’s Collection
1. 1906 Advance Steam Traction Engine
One of the oldest cars in Leno’s collection, a 1906 Advance Steam Traction Engine is, in a sense, the first car. Steam technology loomed over the automotive age for 150 years as the dominant force in propulsion, and the internal combustion engine is just now erupting onto the scene.
2. 1911 Christie Fire Engine
But this is a pioneer fire engine built to protect the lives and property of Chicago’s residents in the early 20th century. Their early know-how, engineering, and horsepower are marvelous to behold, and it is a coveted treasure for the Jay Leno Collection.
3. 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe
Of cun, the sparkling 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe would, without question, be Leno’s pièce de résistance. ‘The only two aerodynamic bodies ever made for the Duesenberg,’ he rather grandly calls it. “Mine’s the only one left.’ Worth an estimated $20 million, it is probably the most expensive thing he owns.
4. 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic
It’s rare and beautiful, and Bugatti designed it at the top of his game. Leno’s Type 57 Atlantic is among the last something-of-its-kind on earth, a pinnacle of streamlined design from pre-war motoring.
5. 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupe
With its up-swinging doors, advanced engineering, and eyebrow-finishing touches, the car became a collector’s favorite and is still one of the stars in Leno’s collection.
Modern Marvels in Leno’s Collection
Although Jay Leno likes old cars, his collection includes modern supercars and hypercars, which are examples of the best vehicles available today.
McLaren F1
One of Leno’s highest-profile cars is the McLaren F1, marking the pinnacle of the British manufacturer’s involvement in the public roadgoing scene. Thanks to its central driving position and twin-turbo 620 horsepower BMW V12 mid-mounted engine, it was the fastest production car in the world when it launched in 1998.
Leno calls it one of his best investments but doesn’t drive it often.
Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita
The oldest car in Leno’s collection is a 1906 Mercedes 28/65 HP Гомон Coupé. The newest is the Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita – dubbed ‘the most technologically advanced car in the garage.’ It has a carbon-fiber body, a top speed of more than 254 mph, and is essentially the epitome of automotive engineering.
EcoJet
Designed by Leno himself and built with assistance from General Motors, the EcoJet runs on biodiesel and combines high performance with green technology. A 650-horsepower Honeywell Lt-101 turbine engine powers it.
The Value of Jay Leno’s Car Collection
There are so many unique cars in Jay Leno’s collection that it’s hard to say what their total worth is. Experts guess it could be $50 million—$100 million. This is a wide range, but so many factors play into this (the rarity, how old the car is, how well-preserved it is, etc.).
Maintenance and Restoration
His dedication to his collection isn’t simply about collecting and keeping them – his passion for the vehicles runs deep, and he does most of the restoration and maintenance work on the cars himself.
His garage, Big Dog Garage, is outfitted with the latest tooling and machinery, and he has a staff of experts on hand to help him get the most out of the cars when he chooses to drive them.
Leno maintains the cars through his hands-on, DIY approach (he’ll upholster a fine leather interior himself, for instance), but more importantly, he approaches them with a deep knowledge of how the cars work. Leno is recognized in the automotive world as a true authority on both cars and motorcycles.
Public Engagement and Education
However, Leno shares more than just his garage – his passion pervades his public persona with the show Jay Leno’s Garage. On it, viewer converts are schooled in how he runs his collection, what his vehicles are and how they came to be, and the more technical details of their upkeep.
In the process, Leno holds forth on how a whole historical period in automotive development should be preserved.
Summary
His car collection is a result of that passion and represents a part of American culture; between 180 vehicles, much of them very rare and historically important, add to Leno’s vehicular legacy.
Jay Leno kept a collection of more than 180 cars; Photo courtesy WikipediaLeno’s passion does not sit idly as a mechanic works on the vehicle – he video-blogs his automotive hobby for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
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