Inside the $100 Million Big Dog Garage

Quick Answer: Jay Leno owns approximately 181 cars and 160 motorcycles, housed in his 140,000 square foot Big Dog Garage near Burbank Airport in California. The collection is valued between $52-100 million and includes a 1994 McLaren F1 (worth $17-20M), a one-of-one 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe ($20M), and vehicles spanning from 1906 steam cars to modern hypercars. Leno documents his collection on his YouTube series “Jay Leno’s Garage.”

Jay Leno isn’t just a celebrity who collects cars—he’s a legitimate automotive historian, mechanical engineer, and preservation advocate who happens to have hosted The Tonight Show for 22 years. His approach to collecting emphasizes engineering significance over investment value, and unlike many celebrity collectors, he actually drives every vehicle in his garage.

This guide provides a comprehensive look at one of the world’s most documented and diverse car collections.

181
Cars
160
Motorcycles
$100M
Est. Value
140K
Sq Ft Garage

Jay Leno by the Numbers

Category Details
Total Cars ~181 (constantly changing)
Total Motorcycles ~160
Collection Value $52-100 million (estimated)
Facility Size 140,000 sq ft
Location Big Dog Garage, Burbank Airport, CA
Full-Time Staff Team of mechanics, coachbuilders
Net Worth (2025) $450 million

The Most Valuable Cars in Leno’s Garage

#1: 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe

Estimated Value: $20 Million

Significance: One-of-one aerodynamic coupe, the only Walker-bodied Duesenberg in existence

History: Custom-built for Josiah Lilly, president of Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company

Engine: Inline-8, 265 hp (nearly double any contemporary car)

Original Price: $25,000 in 1934

#2: 1994 McLaren F1

Estimated Value: $17-20 Million

Significance: First McLaren F1 imported to the United States

Purchase Price: $800,000 (reportedly)

Engine: 6.1L BMW V12, 618 hp

Top Speed: 240 mph

Note: Leno has been offered $17M and declined; calls it “the best car of the 20th century”

#3: 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car

Estimated Value: Priceless (museum piece)

Significance: One of only 9 surviving examples, one of 5 that still run

History: Chrysler built 55 for consumer testing; destroyed most after program ended

Engine: Gas turbine, runs on various fuels including peanut oil and perfume

#4: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

Estimated Value: $3-8 Million

Significance: Rare alloy-body example, meticulously restored

Features: Iconic gullwing doors, 3.0L inline-six engine

Note: Leno purchased at bargain and restored to concours condition

#5: 2014 McLaren P1

Estimated Value: $2+ Million

Significance: One of only 375 produced

Power: 903 hp hybrid system

Note: Leno’s example has unique backstory documented on his show

Collection by Category

Steam Cars

Leno owns multiple steam-powered vehicles, including:

  • 1906 Stanley Steamer: Made entirely of wood, oldest car in collection
  • 1909 Stanley Steamer: Takes 20-30 minutes to fire up
  • 1925 Doble Steam Car: Advanced steam technology
  • 1907 White Steam Car: Caught fire in 2022, causing Leno serious burns

Classic Supercars

  • 1966 Lamborghini Miura P400
  • 1969 Lamborghini Miura S
  • Lamborghini Countach
  • Lamborghini Reventon
  • Ferrari LaFerrari
  • McLaren Senna
  • Koenigsegg Agera RS

American Classics

  • 1904 Curved Dash Oldsmobile
  • 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (converted to RWD, 1,000 hp)
  • Ford GT (multiple generations)
  • Chevrolet Corvettes (various years)
  • American LaFrance Fire Truck (free from Burbank Airport)

Unique & Experimental

  • Blastolene Special (“Tank Car”): Hot rod on truck chassis with tank engine
  • EcoJet (2006): Custom-built in Leno’s garage, jet turbine powered
  • Owen Magnetic (1915): Early hybrid with electromagnetic transmission
  • Ferret Scout Army Vehicle: British military reconnaissance vehicle

The Big Dog Garage

Facility Details

Location: 3160 N. Damon Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (near Burbank Airport)

Size: 140,000 square feet (multiple aircraft hangars)

Equipment: Full machine shop, welding stations, restoration facilities

Staff: Team of expert mechanics, coachbuilders, restoration specialists

Public Access: Not open to public; occasional media and charity tours

The Big Dog Garage isn’t just storage—it’s a fully operational automotive workshop. Leno’s team doesn’t just maintain vehicles; they restore, modify, and in some cases fabricate parts that no longer exist. The facility prompted Leno to develop his own line of car care products after realizing the scale of supplies needed.

What Leno Won’t Collect

Despite owning 181+ cars, Jay Leno famously refuses to buy Ferraris. His reasoning has nothing to do with the vehicles themselves:

“Ferrari are excellent cars. It’s not an indictment of the car, it’s just that I don’t want… you know, you’re spending a tremendous amount of money, you should be made to feel like a customer.”

Leno has repeatedly cited negative dealership and service experiences as his reason for avoiding the Italian marque—a stance that has remained consistent for decades.

The Business of Collecting

How Leno Funds His Collection

Leno has stated that he never spent his Tonight Show salary on cars. Instead:

  • Stand-up comedy: Continued performing 150+ shows/year even while hosting Tonight Show
  • Jay Leno’s Garage: YouTube channel with 15M+ views generates revenue
  • CNBC series: Aired 2015-2022
  • Strategic buying/selling: Occasionally sells vehicles (first sale in 30 years was a 2015 Tesla in 2021)

Investment Performance

Vehicle Purchase Current Value Gain
1994 McLaren F1 $800K $17-20M +2,000%+
1955 Mercedes 300SL “Bargain” $3-8M Significant
1966 Lamborghini Miura ~$40K (1980s) $2M+ +5,000%

Recent Additions (2024-2025)

Leno continues actively collecting:

  • Tesla Cybertruck: Investment in electric trend
  • 1930 Bentley G400: Rare vintage addition
  • Various motorcycles and specialty vehicles

Pop Culture Impact

Leno’s collection has influenced popular culture beyond automotive circles:

  • L.A. Noire (2011): Video game modeled many vehicles after Leno’s collection
  • Jay Leno’s Garage (YouTube): 15M+ views, introduced millions to automotive history
  • Celebrity appearances: Countless stars have featured with their cars on his show

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cars does Jay Leno own?

Jay Leno owns approximately 181 cars and 160 motorcycles. The number fluctuates as he occasionally buys and sells vehicles, though he rarely parts with cars—his first sale in 30 years was a Tesla Model S in 2021, which he sold to make room for a newer model.

How much is Jay Leno’s car collection worth?

Estimates range from $52 million to $100 million. The exact value is difficult to determine because many vehicles are one-of-a-kind or extremely rare, making market comparisons challenging. His McLaren F1 alone is worth $17-20 million, and his Duesenberg Walker Coupe is estimated at $20 million.

What is Jay Leno’s most expensive car?

The 1934 Duesenberg Walker Coupe and 1994 McLaren F1 are both estimated at approximately $20 million, making them the most valuable cars in his collection. The Duesenberg is one-of-one, while the McLaren F1 was the first imported to the United States and has been offered $17 million (declined).

Where is Jay Leno’s garage located?

Jay Leno’s Big Dog Garage is located at 3160 N. Damon Way, Burbank, CA 91505, near the Hollywood Burbank Airport. The 140,000 square foot facility occupies multiple aircraft hangars and includes a full machine shop and restoration facilities. It is not open to the public.

Can you visit Jay Leno’s garage?

The Big Dog Garage is not open to public tours. Access is typically limited to media appearances, charitable events, and guests featured on his YouTube series “Jay Leno’s Garage.” However, the YouTube channel offers extensive virtual tours of nearly every vehicle in the collection.

Why doesn’t Jay Leno own a Ferrari?

Leno has repeatedly stated that his avoidance of Ferrari is not about the cars themselves—which he considers excellent—but about the dealership and service experience. He feels that customers spending significant money should be treated as valued clients, and his experiences with Ferrari’s sales approach did not meet that standard.

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