At the age of 75, Jay Leno remains a very special figure in the automotive world. The former face of The Tonight Show for over twenty years, he's not only a famous comedian: he's also the head of one of the world's most impressive private automobile collections. A veritable museum on wheels... but with one intriguing absence: that of Ferrari.
An extraordinary collection, guided by history
In his immense “Big Dog Garage”, a space of over 13,000 m², Jay Leno houses around 180 cars and more than 160 motorcycles. The property is valued at over $150 million, and continues to appreciate in value over the years.
But unlike many collectors, Jay Leno isn't looking for ostentatious rarity or pure performance. As he explains in numerous interviews, what interests him above all is the story behind each vehicle. Each model in his collection tells the story of an era, an innovation or a vision of the automobile. This explains the incredible diversity of his garage: from the legendary McLaren F1, estimated today at tens of millions of dollars, to the Chrysler Turbine Car, a technological curiosity that he often cites as his favorite car.
There are also one-offs like the Duesenberg Walker Coupé, and Italian icons like the Lamborghini Miura P400. Yet, despite this obvious passion for exceptional cars, one brand is missing.
«I never liked the way it was done».»
Asked repeatedly about this absence, Jay Leno is very clear: it's not Ferrari he's criticizing, but the customer experience associated with the brand, at least as he's known it. In his view, buying a Ferrari has long been no simple matter. There was a time when you had to buy a number of less desirable models before you could hope to gain access to the more prestigious ones. A logic he has never accepted.
He also says he doesn't appreciate the elitist, almost closed image that used to surround the brand. This feeling of forced exclusivity doesn't correspond to his vision of the automobile, which he would like to be more accessible and passionate. In his interviews, he goes even further, mentioning practices he considers absurd, such as having to prove the authenticity of his vehicle via costly certifications, or certain implicit expectations at the time of purchase.
The contrast with McLaren and Porsche
When he buys a McLaren MP4-12C, he says he's treated like a real customer: honest advice, options not recommended to save him money, and even upgrades offered after the purchase. The same applies to his Porsche Carrera GT. The German brand goes so far as to send mechanics to explain the car's operation in detail. A level of attention he couldn't have imagined at Ferrari at the time. For him, the difference is simple: he prefers brands that need to convince their customers, rather than those that can afford to cherry-pick them.
An absence that does not call into question the Ferrari legend
Yet Jay Leno repeats it unambiguously: he appreciates Ferrari and recognizes the exceptional quality of its cars. His choice is therefore not a rejection of the Italian brand, but rather a question of personal philosophy. In his view, buying a car, especially at this price level, should remain a simple pleasure, without constraints or prestige games. He prefers to be seen as a customer, not as a privileged subject subject to certain rules.
Finally, the absence of Ferrari from one of the world's greatest automobile collections speaks volumes: even when faced with a legendary brand, the experience counts as much as the product itself.
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Having to buy several less desirable Ferraris before being able to buy the model you want. Why not buy the model you want directly used in this case?
Like Rolex, Ferrari chooses its customers because demand outstrips supply. But this policy of first having to buy models that are easier to obtain makes no sense, because in that case you might as well buy second-hand, even if it's a little more expensive.
Otherwise, I don't know how 340 cars and motorcycles can be used and run, apart from turning them into a museum?
I ask myself the same question when I see that I don't have time to use 4 cars: maintenance, technical inspections and insurance ^^.
So I'm not the only one with several cars, one of which I'm going to part with. If I'm a bit organized, 3 or 4 cars are still OK. But from 10 cars I think it becomes complicated.
He could have bought secondhand Ferrari's plenty. Like a 288 GTO or special 599’s. Enough options but still refuses to buy Ferrari. His choice.
I really have a problem with companies that engage in this sort of elitism like Ford with the GT-40 and the latest elite Mustang. Yet I kind of understand the logic because they don't want people « flipping » their cars for financial gain. Yet their approach is crude and offensive to motorsports fans.
But the Ferrari situation is a little different to me because Ferrari have never treated me like that and I think it may be due to the attitude of the Beverly Hills dealer and the celebrity status of the customer.