Last Updated on February 10, 2024
Whether you're starting a fresh collection of classic automobiles or have been a classic car enthusiast or collector for a while, you've probably already heard about the impressive collection of Jay Leno. He's one of the most famous classic car collectors. From classic steam-powered cars to race cars and trucks, Leno's spectacular car collection has it all. From a '34 Ford Pickup Truck, Leno's collection has grown and currently now boasts over 180 classic cars that are composed of turbine cars, hyper cars, trucks, muscle cars, and more.
Who Is Jay Leno?
Arguably the owner of the largest vehicle collection in the US, Jay Leno is no doubt one of the most influential personalities when it comes to automotive collections. Apart from being a car collector, he is also a popular comedian, writer, and TV host. His well-known shows are NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Jay Leno Show, Jay Leno's Garage, and You Bet Your Life.
Being in the entertainment industry for years, it is no question that Jay Leno is not just well-known for his shows and cars but also for having a huge net worth. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jay Leno's net worth in 2022 has already reached $450 million making him among the richest comedians in the world.
How Much Is Jay Leno's Collection Worth?
Jay Leno's collection features a wide plethora of rare and expensive cars that are regularly maintained by his experts. According to duPont Registry, Jay Leno's car collection is worth more than $52 million at present current market classic car value. However, this excludes any future values or expenses for restorations.
Where is Jay Leno's Car Collection?
Jay leno's massive automobile collection is kept in his 122,000-square-foot garage located in Burbank, California. This land property was initially 17,000 square meters when he purchased it in 1991.
Can You Visit Jay Leno's Car Collection?
Unfortunately, Jay Leno's collection is not open to public visits so you can only see his cars up close through TV shows and social media platforms. Nonetheless, Jay Leno sometimes invites the media and some YouTube personalities for a tour of his garage just like in this video where he gave CNN an exclusive tour of his priced automobiles.
Best Classic cars in Jay Leno's Car Collection
There is no denying that we have our eyes trained on Jay Leno's classic car collection and we are sure that you'll do too after checking out this list. Below is our best selection of Jay Leno's classic cars, their estimated prices, and what we love about them.
10. Mazda Miata (1996)
Estimated Price: $18,000+
With an estimated price of over $18,000, Mazda Miata is among Jay Leno's cheapest classic cars. This sports car is a practical choice for many automobile enthusiasts as it has a cheap purchase price and is cost-effective to maintain and insure. In addition, it performs well when it comes to power and speed. There is no doubt, this car is the perfect classic car for those who are just starting their collection and are on a budget.
9. Chevrolet Corvette Coupe (1999)
Estimated Price: $39,000+
Chevrolet is known for making cars with innovative designs and reliable technology systems making it a desirable automotive brand in the world. For this reason, it is not surprising that Jay Leno owns a couple of Chevrolet cars in his collection. One of which is the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe. This car is best known for its comfort, sleek build, and impressive mechanical design. It is also fun to drive and suitable for long drives. The Corvette Coupe is truly one of the cars that you will not regret getting your hands on.
8. Oldsmobile Toronado (1966)
Estimated Price: $150,000
Known for its good gas mileage, distinct luxurious design, and convenient maintenance, the Oldsmobile Toronado is a valuable part of Jay Leno's collection. It was one of the first US-made cars that featured front-wheel-drive, however, Jay Leno's Oldsmobile Toronado was said to be converted to be a rear-wheel drive car. In addition, its engine was upgraded to a high-performing engine that can deliver 1,000 horsepower.
7. Stanley Steamer (1909)
Estimated Price: $185,000
The Stanley Steamer is probably one of the highly coveted cars in Jay Leno's collection. This vintage car features an external combustion engine. It also has a steam boiler that generates power. At present, it is pretty inconvenient to have as it only operates on steam. In addition, it is relatively difficult to drive and can take up to 30 minutes just to start. Nevertheless, Jay Leno reportedly uses this car and hit 75 mph on the expressway.
6. Lamborghini Countach (1986)
Estimated Price: $215,000
Lamborghini is arguably one of the makers of the most sought-after cars all over the world. They produce some of the most stylish and high-performing cars like the Lamborghini Countach which is one of Jay Leno's stunning classic cars. With Lambo Countach striking futuristic design combined with a reliable overall build, it is not surprising that Jay Leno has also taken this car frequently out of his garage. Overall, this car looks like it came from a science fiction movie and can certainly catch anyone's attention on the street.
5. Chrysler Turbine Car (1963)
Estimated Price: $415,000
The Chrysler Turbine Car is an extremely unique car in a classic car collection. This car was equipped with a turbine engine that was designed to start even if the operator doesn't touch the pedal. The operator just needs to turn the key and wait for the car to start. At the time, this technology was considered one of a kind making the Chrysler Turbine Car desirable for many. In addition, it was also known to have the ability to run on various kinds of flammable fuels or oils.
Despite being a breakthrough in the automotive industry in 1963, this car came with some downsides like being inefficient and producing noise. Hence, Chrysler later gave up the turbine engine development, and the Chrysler Turbine Cars weren't sold to the public. Only 9 out of 55 Chrysler Turbine Car weren't disposed of and sold to big-time collectors like Jay Leno. At present, Jay Leno is one of the only two people who privately own a Chrysler Turbine Car all over the world.
4. Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupe (1955)
Estimated Price: $1,800,000
At an estimated price of a whopping $1.8M, the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupe definitely gives Jay Leno's collection higher value. This two-seater sports car produced by Mercedez-Benz was best known for its distinct swinging doors and sleek overall design. It was also the first-ever gasoline-powered car that has a fuel injection placed directly into the combustion chamber. It combines the looks and performance in one car making it one of the best cars ever produced until now.
Jay Leno was able to score this Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Coupe at a relatively low price and restored it to its new-like quality. Now, the classic car has a striking red color and a restored 3-liter 6-cylinder engine that delivers up to 180 horsepower.
3. Lamborghini Miura P400 (1967)
Estimated Price: $3,500,000
When it comes to hyper cars, the Lamborghini Miura P400 is never behind. Developed in the 1960s, the Lamborghini Miura P400 is one of the most valuable releases from Lamborghini until today. Jay Leno's 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 is equipped with a 3.9-liter V12 Lamborghini engine that offers extremely reliable performance and fast speed. This car is also a limited edition with only 274 models produced from 1966 to 1969.
2. McLaren F1 (1994)
Estimated Price: $12,000,000
If you think that the Lamborghini Miura P400 is the most expensive car in Jay Leno's collection, you are definitely wrong because Jay Leno owns way more expensive cars than that. The McLaren F1 which is priced at an estimated amount of $12,000,000 is part of the stunning car collection of Jay Leno. Not only is this car known for having impressive speed, top-notch build, and head-turner design but also for having its engine bay and other vital components literally wrapped in gold foil. Gold is a good material for heat protection which helps the McLaren F1 work efficiently.
In an article by roadandtrack, it was mentioned that the McLaren F1 was once named the World's fastest production car with an official top speed of 240.1 mph. Despite being beaten out of this title, the McLaren F1 remains to be one of the most coveted cars in the world, especially for affluent car collectors.
1. Duesenberg Walker Coupe (1934)
Estimated Price: $20,000,000
Extremely rare and valuable, are the perfect words to describe the Duesenberg Walker Coupe. According to an article by Motor Authority, Jay Leno's 1934 Duesenberg Coupe is the most expensive Duesey ever made costing $25,000 back in 1934. This vintage car has an aerodynamic build which was a new design in the '30s. It was custom-made for Josiah Lilly, Lilly Pharmaceutical's president.
It weighs a total of 6,000 lbs. and was equipped with a 420-cubic-inch inline-8 engine that delivers 265 horsepower. While extremely valuable, this car is impractical as all its doors and compartments have individual keys. In addition, it requires two people to fill the gas and the body panels were said to be too heavy. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that the Duesenberg Walker Coupe is a priceless treasure not just for John Leno's collection but also for automobile advancement and history.
