Jay Leno is a man of many talents: He is an actor, comedian, and a Hall of Fame television host, among others.
But you might not know that Jay owns Big Dog Garage, which displays one of the biggest and most sought-after collections of cars and motorcycles in America.
His fanatic obsession over wheels and his profound understanding of their history are all documented in his weekly show Jay Leno’s Garage, a show which promises a unique automotive restoration adventure in every episode.
From the legendary 1950 American standard Plymouth Suburban to the 2019 Dodge Hellcat Redeye, Jay Leno’s Garage offers fascinating insights into his collection’s mechanics and their cultural significance, but one feature stood glaringly on its own:
It was a feature on the Rolls Royce Merlin Engine – the liquid-cooled V-12 piston engineering wonder that powered the most iconic warplanes in the history of military aviation, such as the Avro Lancaster, the de Havilland Mosquito, the P-51 Mustang, and, of course, the Supermarine Spitfire.
In this video, his team rebuilt the Merlin Engine on a limited budget. Yet the more interesting bit came in Leno’s deft explanation of its workings and features: He adequately demonstrated the engine’s power like a seasoned engineer and explained its military applications like an indubitable, peer-reviewed war historian.
Jay Leno is surely living a hell of a life after his Late Night Show’s abrupt and disappointing end. Aside from all the fun times he had shared with us, we must also thank him for giving the Merlin a second lease in life – truly a fitting tribute to this masterpiece of engineering.