Somewhere in Los Angeles is a top secret, hard-to-find building that houses more than 90 classic automobiles and 80 vintage motorcycles. This is no museum; the cars are owned by one man and kept in running condition because that man, Jay Leno, believes they should be driven. To visit Leno’s collection is an honour not lightly given; all the more reason to appreciate Nigel Mathew’s invitation and to hear his impressions. (Nigel is a respected concours judge and manager of specialty vehicles for the Province of BC’s auto insurance corporation.) Aware of the TV host’s enthusiasm for Deusenbergs he’d approached Leno at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours to advise him of a 1929 Dual Cowl Phaeton, LeBaron-bodied Duesenberg located in the Vancouver area. Thus the two became friends, which led to the visit just prior to this year’s event. Of his host, Mathews said: “Leno is a genuine gearhead… previous celebrity ownership of a car or bike does not interest him at all; it’s the machine that counts. Massive horsepower is something that excites him but he really appreciates fine automobiles and flowing shapes and design. Duesenberg and Bugatti are obviously on the top of his list, Ferrari is not, and I did not see one on the premises! Steam also fascinates Jay. I noticed an outline of masking tape on the floor of the workshop… he saw me looking at it and said ‘come and see what I have out here.’ It was a massive stationary steam engine with a 6 ½ ton flywheel. He was very passionate, like a small boy in a toy shop as he explained that it is the oldest steam engine in the USA and was in use when Abraham Lincoln was president.”
August 25th, 2006
A Visit to Jay Leno’s Secret Sanctum
by admin | Posted in Private Collections | 2 Comments » |
2 Comments »
Comment by Rex Hinz
Jay Leno is into Steam engines ? I’ll never watch the Dave Letterman show again , Gotta see that engine when it’s restored.
– Agreed. By co-incidence, I recently had a ride in a 1913 Stanley Steamer. What an experience! Fabulous.
– Philip
October 10, 2006 @ 5:46 amRSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Get to know and owe a vintage car is something special to get hold.It wouldn’t be as much fun if the people and friend along the way who contribute so much to it.One such person is Nigel,to be called by him your friend is a privelege.Alfred
Thank you, Alfred. I completely agree. Nigel has been a wonderful friend since we first met and has many times helped me with photos, suggestions, and most importantly, encouragement.
August 27, 2006 @ 1:29 pm– Philip