Leno Does Mulholland Dr.

911finally · 02-02-2010, 09:39 AM

Sorry no Porsches but this video gives us outside LA a street level view of the terrain we read about in those epic Mulholland threads. Nice sound off the AMG though.

Leno Remakes a Legendary Car Movie - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com

ischmitz · ischmitz's Garage

hm, is that encouraging speeding in public

berettafan · 02-02-2010, 10:22 AM

was he speeding? didn't look like it to me.

scottb · 02-02-2010, 10:23 AM

I wonder if AMG/MB gave him the car....

ischmitz · ischmitz's Garage

I'd acknowledge them in my video, too if they'd give me one for the day......

mrbeverlyhills · 02-02-2010, 10:37 AM

I used to see Jay every morning at 8;20 coming up Coldwater to the Burbank studios of The Tonight Show, each day in a different car, nowadays maybe just once or twice a week.

Sometimes he is in a Stanley Steamer sometimes a Miura or Bugatti, you never know but can always tell it is him from a quarter mile as he has a HUGE smile on his face.

One time some tourists followed him and he thought it was a stalker so he called the cops, when they pulled over the rubes and found out they were fans he had photos taken for them in his car and spent 20 minutes talking with the. Class.

He has about 85 cars in his garage and they all get driven regularly, I am looking forward to having him back on The Tonight Show just for the cars-although I love Conan!

berettafan · 02-02-2010, 10:42 AM

yup, he's not the funniest guy on the planet but he seems to have a real nice personality that includes sharing his toys with others. ya gotta like a guy like that.

mrbeverlyhills · 02-02-2010, 10:46 AM

At our local Cars and Coffee a few weeks back he came in some post war million dollar something, Duesie or Cord I cannot remember, it dumped the entire sump of oil when he pulled in and he waited for the tow talking with a large group of 50 or so. Kids were allowed in the car and he signed autographs till no one was left, smiling from ear to ear.

PS, I have seen him the red McLaren before so I am pretty sure it is his.

Ofishbein · Ofishbein's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbeverlyhills

At our local Cars and Coffee a few weeks back he came in some post war million dollar something, Duesie or Cord I cannot remember, it dumped the entire sump of oil when he pulled in and he waited for the tow talking with a large group of 50 or so. Kids were allowed in the car and he signed autographs till no one was left, smiling from ear to ear.

I was there too (that's him under his Duesenberg, hair getting soaked in fuel). He shows up every few weeks in a Bugatti (type 57 or Veyron), jet car, Chrysler turbine, etc. The amazing thing is that he is patient and signs autographs and poses for pictures with everyone and then starts looking under hoods to see what everyone else has. A true car guy and one of the nicest people you could meet.

Mark Morrissey · Mark Morrissey's Garage

One of our own helped make that video happen; note the ending credits. Robert Moran, Rob, my neighbor, friend and fellow Porsche owner, Pelican ID, mercman, works for Mercedes Benz and just happens to be a great guy.

Jay is a real car guy. Not just a flipper looking to cash in on a hot market; Is still owns nearly every car he's ever collected.

baq911 · baq911's Garage

I cant believe someone made a comment about him speeding? common?!? since when are we the speeding police

and why is that the only part of the film worth mentioning? lol. Anyways, I think Jay is fantastic, he is a walking automobile encyclopedia and is quite humble about it.

mercman · 02-02-2010, 05:59 PM

Thanks Mark. Glad to see the video getting a post here on Pelican. This was a fun pet project and working with Jay is a really a wonderful experience. We kicked the idea around and approached Jay with the project, the filming was done by a good friend Jeremy Hart -- he used to be the voice of the WRC on Speed TV.

As anyone that's met him will agree, Jay is the real deal. You'd be hard pressed to meet a more genuinely nice guy who loves to share his amazing collection and insights with like-minded enthusiasts. Going to his garage is like visiting the Wonka factory -- with all the hospitality of going to your neighbor's house. We're also working with him on a restomod project -- it's a 1969 6.3 Mercedes sedan that will have a 2010 518 hp. 6.3-liter AMG engine and 7-speed automatic originally destined for an S63. Promises to be seriously wicked.

dicklague · dicklague's Garage

I was there that day when the fuel pressure regulator split a diaphragm in the El Camino parking lot. Jay took it all in stride. He is a terrific guy and just a good old car guy who drives and loves all his cars. They are all kept in running shape and are registered.

His collection is awesome. We did a shoot with him for the NA Saab owners club with his 1958 Saab 93b. It was a riot. I learned how to drive on the same model and year!

I know he will do well when he takes the show back.

Great video.....very well done.

Duckworth · Duckworth's Garage

You guys are lucky to hang with him......wanted to myself for years..

Not exactly for the reasons others are mentioning - but to hear him discuss firsthand his 'choice' of show, collector and high end AMG cars. He does his thing in a way that makes me continually scratch my head. Nice guy and all, but there is something kinda rapper meet the 20's about him if ya know what I mean...?

Always seems to be driving these 3 - 4 TON cars like Cords, Duesenbergs, and limo-stretch street rod. Also, with any of his new toys, thay usually fall in the 400+ HP range - and a fair number in the 1600 Hp range..

What I'm saying - is you never sense much sophistication - as far as artistic or understated (subtle) aspects of a car. Except he does own motorcycles and some early British cars...and is familiar with them.

His obsession seems to be with BIG rigs. ...Must have thought of buying a few eighteen wheelers to put in his 200 + collection. When he does - it will set a record for the most number of turbine engines coupled together - to produce a truck horsepower record !

What I'm saying is the guy is never really figuring out or influencing others as far as everyday numbers.....he's tellin' geveryone that the real fun lies in BIG horsepower rods....and that is a really dumb message imo.

Otoh, Cord engine is very nice looking....craftmanship is something he understands well.

Anyone know if Leno hangs out anywhere besides LA ....?

___________

'82 911 - sold
'80 928
'77 Spitfire