I am a factory certified McLaren F1 tech. When Jay first got his F1 I was located in the SF Bay Area taking care of two F1’s that were both silver. McLaren provided contact info for Jay and we connected. Soon I got a phone call from Jay stating “the car won’t start”. I said “when you turn the key on what does the fuel gauge say?” He said “what does that have to do with the car not starting?” Interesting fact, F1’s have an anti theft button under dash. When engaged the starter will not spin the engine and the fuel gauge will read empty even if it’s full, that lets you know the button is on. Evidently someone had engaged the button without knowing it. I gave him some guidance on how to locate the button and amazingly the car started. A happy ending and Jay learned a secret about his car. Those cars are the finest built machines I have ever had the privilege of working on and driving.

Jay is one car guy, I wish he would live forever.

Jay Leno is like the Betty White of the car world. We all hope he lives forever. What a great guy.

Thank you again to @edbolian and VINwiki for welcoming us to the studio to share some car stories. It was a real thrill to meet Jay made 100 times better by being able to experience what a genuine and kind person he is. The people that work for him would literally do anything for him and he has earned that loyalty by just being himself. The World needs more Jay Leno's!

Jay isn't just a collector, he actually maintains (and/or has maintained) ALL of his cars...he DRIVES them. He's an absolute legend and treasure to the automotive world. It's always awesome when I hear stories of him being exactly as awesome as he seems.

Man, everytime I look at pics or videos of Jay Leno's garage, I wish there were tours of his garage. I'd love to see it in person. Its almost a museum of automotive history.

I’ve ran into Leno a few times over the years. With & without crowds. Same exact guy every time. Very gracious, and couldn’t be any sweeter.

Jay is one of those very rare guys that I have never heard a bad word spoken about, he's just a genuinely really nice guy and an (inter)national treasure. He's the car guy's car guy.

Jay isn't just a car guy he is THE car guy.

Jay is car guy royalty. So thankful for his enthusiasm, knowledge and generosity.

I’ve actually sat in it at his garage. Jay is truly the coolest dude I’ve ever met, so nice and so down to earth. Truly a once in a life time thing to have happen to me.

Jay is a once in a lifetime car guy. I don't even know of anyone claiming a remote 2nd place to his enormity of knowledge, collection, humility, and charity.

I too got to meet Jay, when I was on his new Game Show, I applied to be on the show just with the goal of meeting Jay and talking cars. I got my wish, and talked to Jay about Lotus cars and Jim Clark, and about the Hispano-Suiza engine that he has in a road car that also powers the Curtiss Jenny at the museum in NY where I volunteer. "The Real Deal" sums up Jay perfectly. Just a little bit of his time, talking cars, meant so much more to me than being on the show. I did win the highest prize money possible too, so there's that also. A highlight for me, for sure.

I saw Rob & Jay’s original commercial on Jay’s KZfaq channel several months ago & bought 2 of the fire extinguishers. Now I understand the backstory on how they met & the commercial was made in Jay’s garage. Good job Rob telling the story, very fortunate meeting Jay with his McLaren at that first car show.

Jay had two major accidents in the last year, I read quite a few news stories hyping up his generosity while injured...yet barely even a mention of any of it on his KZfaq show, which never missed an episode, by the way...very modest, it's a show about cars, not him, and that's the way he wants it.

would love to meet Jay one day

I was lucky rnough to meet Jay Leno while in California on vacation with some friends near his garage just trying to get a glimpse of his collection. We kept our distance and went to walk away when we saw him going to leave. He waved us over and talked to us for 10 minutes, took pictures with us too. Really nice guy.

Aw man thought we’d be getting a vinwiki story FROM jay that would be awesome

Another story describing Jay Leno as being a good person. He never disappoints.

I bet one of the many things Jay loves about the F1 is that every once in a while, when he meets a real car enthusiast, he becomes a regular guy again because the other person is totally enamored with the car and forgets they’re talking to Jay Leno

Jay truly is 1 of the humblest men. And always giving back.

Leno is the GOAT

How awesome would it be for Jay to come on VinWiki and give a handful of his stories.

I think Jay is one of the greatest car guys ever, and one of the nicest people in Hollywood.

Jay isn't a celebrity who happens to be a car guy. He's a car guy who happens to be a celebrity.

I just bought a couple of those extinguishers from a buddy of mine that owns a custom hot rod shop. I was happy to support my friend. I am happier now to know I also supported a really cool car guy that made the extinguishers! I'm off to buy more tomorrow!

Jay is very cool to talk to in person and always injects a little humor. He is absolutely the real deal!

Jay seems to be such a cool guy. a normal car guy that can live his dreams AND shares them with everyone. not locking up all his cars, but shares them with ppl. either on his channel or at car meets. such a cool guy and thanks for this story.

"pick a side!. I'm good in the middle!" legend

Jay’s down to Earth because like a lot of us car guys and gals we started from humble beginnings, lusting after a car in our youth, and finally being able to attain your favorite car, or cars is humbling in itself. I’ve never met Jay in person but from all accounts he’s a great guy who simply loves to share his love of automobiles. Great video!

If you had to say who’s the biggest car guy in the USA or even the world, there is only one man who’s ever come to mind and it’s Jay Leno. What a friggin legend

Everybody loves Jay! He loves the history and respects the cars, and that’s why he’s one of the best!

Jay is just one of the world's nicest guys. Never heard a bad word about him from anyone who knows him. It's funny I don't even think of him as "From The Tonight Show" anymore I just think of him as the really nice guy in Burbank who owns a lot of really interesting cars and loves to show them to people.

Jay is a legit car guy. Not many who own such a car would be as gracious to a stranger!

it's so nice to hear when someone is a good person.

Vinwiki has some fantastic stories, but this one has to be the best of them all. (Not the second half about shilling fire extinguishers -- but the first half about the ride with Leno was just great.)

Never had a pleasure of meeting Jay, but know a few that have, including sharing a table for a meal. Everyone says the same thing, he is a gem, I really don't follow Hollywood and can only name a few actors/actresses, but Jay is one I look up to. No matter how much money or cool cars, just be a good, down to earth person with a few jokes is how I feel he lives his life. Hopefully I can meet him one day. If not, Ken Lingenfelter and Barry Meguiar are the 2 biggest famous car people I've shaken hands with, which is ok too. Both of them were pretty down to earth as well.

We need more Jay Leno’s in this world

One day I was driving on the freeway in L.A. on my way home. I see this old firetruck in the next lane. As I'm passing it I'm looking at it. The driver starts waving to me. I look up and it's Jay Leno. What a nice guy.

That's a really nice story about Jay. Fantastic to both get a ride from him in the F1, then around ten years later get another "lift"...

I remember the P1 incident at Trancas. It’s a shame they shut that show down, it was a fun one! I met Jay at the Malibu Kitchen one Sunday and he was kind enough to show some quirks and features of his Muira with my friend and I. He’s a very generous car guy who treats enthusiasts how he’d want to be treated should the shoes be on the other feet.

You need to have him on the show. You know he's got a million car stories.

You gotta love Jay man. A car guy with a heart of gold 😊

It is rare, and I mean VERY VERY VERY rare for anybody that’s been through the Hollywood celebrity ringer to come out the other end a normal human being. To come out the other side as a mix of Santa Claus, Steve McQueen, and your cool, and humble Uncle is such an astonishingly precious thing. The value Jay brings to this world is seemingly infinite. Long may it be so!

Lots of car guys that own the rare/hyper/unique examples are quick to say that they “share” their cars at shows or meets…but that usually means a few times a year or at Pebble, Emilia Island or some other concours. But when Jay says he likes to share his cars, he means it the way we share our cars…at the local C&C or other parking lot event, with the doors open, windows down and standing by them to show them off, talk about it and yes…offer the occasional ride. So many stories of Jay showing up with something you usually need a badge or ticket to to see and admire from distance behind a velvet rope. He’s definitely a man of the (car) people!

Jay is such a great car guy, would love to see his collection and hear about it from him.

Jay really is the ultimate car guy and a great human being.

Every time I hear a story about Jay Leno, folks always have nothing but nice things to say. He is DEFINITELY one guy who doesn't need to fake the funk about being genuine.

I would really like to meet Jay. He has a true passion for cars not only having a collection. He shares his passion with others just like any other car guy will do, and at that level he is, that is simply amazing.

Everything I have ever seen about Mr. Leno led me to believe that this would be exactly how this would have went down. Thanks for the story.

May sound a bit corny but that’s a very nice story. You can hear in his voice he loves to retell the stories. Very gracious of Jay to have him hop in and cruise around.

Jay Leno is a genuine car guy as a car guy is meant to be. Always willing to pay it forward by allowing others to experience it.

I've only ever seen one, and it was a GTR. Knockhill circuit, late 90's, and I was doing some filming at a Ferrari owners track day. There were some other 'supercars' there that day - and a rather nice F50 - but the star of the show was the McLaren. I'd loved them from the first time I saw a picture of one, and here I was standing in front of one. Another very gracious owner - he let me film it, he even let me sit in the drivers seat and do a piece to camera. Amazing. Now, if I could only remeber what I did with the footage....

World needs more Jay Lenos 👏🏻👏🏻

Several years ago I was at the outdoor magazine stand on Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Jay was there thumbing through some car magazines. Some guys started to approach him and the magazine stand guy waved them off. Jay saw that and went up to the guys. They all then stood there and talked about cars for well over 20 minutes. Just a regular guy that loves cars.

I've always wanted to see once since i was a kid. I was in the city of west Vancouver Canada . There in a high end grocery store parking lot was also a black F1. I hung around at a distance for the owner to return, just so i could hear him start it. It was well worth the 25 minute wait.

This is one of those feel good stories that every car guy and gal should hear.

IIRC, the engine was originally designed from Paul Rosche for the BMW M8, but the project was canceled from BMW because there were not enough buyers out there to make money with the car. Later there was the BMW 850 CSi which was the M8 with a more simple engine, but not called the M8 officially. (in the german papers its called M8 as a internally firm code) They were saying that the designer of the car, Gordon Murray, was freaking out as the first engine was delivered to McLaren, because he had no idea how to fit such a large engine in such a small car.

It’s great to hear about how good people can be! Great content!

Jay Leno is an amazing person!!! He's so down to earth & gracious!!! 👍👍🙂

"Right up to the speed limit." - LOL! Right. Notice how he didn't say, "We stopped at the limit."

Jay is 100% a car guy. Not only is he just a “collector “ but he works on all of his cars himself. Earlier this year he had a injury from working on one of his cars… he’s just a icon in the automotive industry, and extremely humble..

Jay is awesome I hope he’s doing well since that little accident he had God speed to the legend ❤🇯🇲

I hope my wife will be my enabler when it comes to buying my dream car. Jay seems like the most standup guy in Hollywood, and especially as it relates to cars.

Jay Leno is the man. Much respect and love for him remaining so humble and down to earth with all his success

And that's why he doesn't need a bunch of bodyguards, everyone loves him and car guys would defend him with their lives.

So your the element fire extinguisher guy you have a great product tell a pretty good story best of luck on future endeavors

Nice video ed for a moment i thought you finally got leno on vinwiki in waiting for the day ....any day now i know it will happen

A great example for the rest of us.

Man oh man, what a dream come true getting to ride in jay’s F1 and just talk to him!!!👍🏻 he truly is America’s pinnacle car guy.

I am gonna wait for a comment from Tavarish

thats awesome! I have an element in my subie after my friend used his when he had an engine fire on the highway and managed to save it

I love how down to earth Jay is. He will talk to anyone who is a car enthusiast no matter who they are or where they're from.

ran into him a few times, always down to earth, class act

Just as I sat down to work, love the timing!

One hundred percent true; Jay is the real deal! I have met him several times, and I won't bore you with details, but it's always a very positive and very memorable experience. Jay Leno is what a human being should be and he sets a superlative example for others to follow. Thank God for Jay Leno!!

I would love to meet Jay some day. I doubt it will happen. Sounds like an awesome guy from what everyone has said.

Stories like these are what I love about this channel. Proper car guy meets where the car is the subject, not the person. :)

I’m so happy to see that he lives up to the legend.

Zero ego, 100% interesting. Some guys are just living their life!

I think the mentality Jay have that he doesn't own the cars, he's just the caretaker is great and that is why he share the cars with so many, and also use his cars, not just collect them and let them gather dust I had a Pontiac Trans Am for a few years and tried to have similar mindset that whenever I noticed someone checking it out I tried to make the effort of connecting with them, after all if we want the car hobby to continue evolving we have to be welcoming to new people Great story, thank you for sharing 😃

Great story! Amazing for Jay to help the working man.

Why i love Jay Leno he shares his awesome cars with all of us only having dreams about them. Jay do more than many public museums

Jay is a gem for the car world. My favorite thing about him is he works on, and actually DRIVES his cars without letting them sit in some display forever.

Jay Leno is a true gentleman, I love hearing stories about him.

aw what a great story. very very wholesome.

Jay is an amazing human.

“Right up to the speed limit… We really were able to explore the possibilities of the vehicle.” Speed limit. Riiiiiight

Love my Element in my e type Jaguar. Gives me peace of mind.

jay is one of those that ive always had a feeling is just a genuinely good person, would give you the (denim) shirt off his back.

Jay leno is a national treasure. I've never heard one bad story about the guy.

What a great Ad, first one I actually stuck around and watched front to back beginning to end.

Jay IS the coolest car guy ive ever met. Mulholland cyn aka the snake before it was shut down was one of his favorite places to show his cool stuff.

I grew up in Cali, but was married to a Canadian for 7 years. This guy is so Canadian he almost put me in the hospital. For free.

I bought one of those extinguishers from you the other day with vinwiki's coupon, but what sold me on it was the video you had on Element's site was your video with Jay leno explaining how it works........ at that point it was in my cart and i couldnt pay fast enough for it haha. you explained your product very well sir to the point you made a sale!

As an Australian we didnt get to see too much of Jay Leno but he seems like a suoer nice hmguy a true car guy as we all know. You are lucky to have met him and I also need to get a element fire extinguisher for my car here a great product congrats.

Jay leno is the best f1 owner because it is jay leno🤣🤣🤣

Amazing story. Thank you for sharing. Jay is the best.

Thanks for telling your story Rob. Vinwiki is why I have element exstinguishers in my adventurevan I am building.

The acronym GOAT was invented for Jay Leno, long before any B Ballers used it. Humble & Kind.