Jay Lenos latest project

[Speedman]

Just been reading about this on PH....

Chat show host and certified car nut Jay Leno is in the midst of transplanting the heart of the new Mercedes SLS AMG into a 1969 300 SEL 6.3 saloon.

The original 1968-1972 SEL 6.3 was no slouch - the big V8 from the Type 600 limousine brought 250bhp to the party.

That was enough to propel the big Merc to 60mph in 7.4secs on the way to a 136mph top speed.

Leno's version is likely to be a tad faster than that, however. As Chris-R found out when he drove the SLS AMG at Laguna Seca, with 563bhp and 641lb ft the 6208cc motor can whisk Merc's latest supercar to 62mph in 3.8secs.

And that's in a modern, safety-heavy 1620kg car. The SEL 300 should be a fair bit lighter. Presumably Leno will have the underpinnings fiddled with to cope with the extra poke, although the original car, with disc brakes and pneumatic suspension, was already quite a sophisticated beast.

Mercedes engineers are even reportedly helping Leno out with the intensive surgery. Oh, to be a super-wealthy world-famous car enthusiast...

....So the lump from this...



....into this


;D

[tonycocacola]

i had that idea, but I'm not a gazzillionaire.

;D

[Adam]

Lenos is one of the few people that manages to mix mega-money and tasteful cars! That is an awesome project if it happens

[TheFrequentFryer]

I want to see that.

[Mystery Machine]

Leno is a hero - he understands cars. He knows how/when to restore, how/when to modify and how to use his money to create cars that HE loves. He does it for himself. If I had his money, I'd be doing the same.

The guy has the same passion for a 2CV as he does for his most expensive cars. This makes him stand out from rich car buyers chasing the 'must have' status motors.

Looking forward to seeing the SEL. Sure he's gonna uspet a few purists, but it's his money, his car and his choice. For that I say again.....HERO!

[JohnnySomersett]

Legend. Leno never seems to disappoint me

[rodit]

After reading bruce's post and being of the same thinking.

WHO thinks we shgould try and invite LENO to the gathering? ;D

[tonycocacola]

Dec 20, 2009 14:17:55 GMT rodit said:

After reading bruce's post and being of the same thinking.

WHO thinks we shgould try and invite LENO to the gathering? ;D

me, that would be quite the guest.

[Speedman]

Dec 20, 2009 14:17:55 GMT rodit said:

WHO thinks we shgould try and invite LENO to the gathering? ;D

Invite sent via his show website

[bigkris]

get him to sign up. he probably would as well lol!

MR LENO RULEZ!

[bortaf]

I'm not normaly one for big budget money no problem builds BUT Jay just seems to "get it", hes a car nut with money as opposed to a rich bloke who likes cars, a bit like JK but with a retro streak a mile wide
Good on him i say

[carmad]

he just has something clarkson doesnt

as said above same love for a mini as a tank car

[keithyboy]

What a fantastic project. I agree with Everything said about him too.

[nugget]

What a mad hure! I say everyone sends him an invite, then he gets really intoxicated (I wrote something much more crude than that!) off at the spam and is forced to getting lost in the middle of England go to RRG10 ;D

[Autofive]

i enjoy the Leno's Garage website, videos of him driving a Bugatti in downtown traffic and his remarkable tale of the steam car, its a interesting story...and he's be welcome round our place for his tea anytime he liked.

he would have to behave himself, of course.
we don't tolerate bad behaviour from anyone, not even Leno.
I mean, if we'ed just sat down at the table, the GFs just brought the food in, and very nicely presented it is too, and in a quiet moment, round the dinnertable, theres this strange banging noise, its Leno, he's only started removing the pistons from an 1150cc Brough Superior Pendine Racer, at our table. I should say:
Oi LENO. NO. Your not in your air conditioned, fully staffed, garage now. Remove the replica vintage motorcyle and eat your findus chicken itali-ann's in a domestic fashion.

if then, he starts regailing us with the story of a TV career spanning decades, fair enough, its an interesting story, but suddenly
sniff sniff
Theres this strange smell.
transmission fluid.
he's openly changing the gearbox oil, from a 368 cubic inch, 1937 V12 cadillac Imperial Transformable Sedan, at our dining table. I should say:
Oi Leno. No. put down the motoring icon. Pick up the spoon provided and eat your arctic roll. If you wish to wash your hands, ask for permission, and permission will be graw-nted.

We are fair people.

;D
all this should be read in the manner of frank doberman, of course

[herald948]

I don't think there's one of us that hasn't wanted at some point to be Jay Leno's mechanic. He gets it.

[dungbug]

Dec 20, 2009 13:35:44 GMT Mystery Machine said:

Leno is a hero - he understands cars. He knows how/when to restore, how/when to modify and how to use his money to create cars that HE loves. He does it for himself. If I had his money, I'd be doing the same.

The guy has the same passion for a 2CV as he does for his most expensive cars. This makes him stand out from rich car buyers chasing the 'must have' status motors.

Looking forward to seeing the SEL. Sure he's gonna uspet a few purists, but it's his money, his car and his choice. For that I say again.....HERO!

/\WHS/\ I've seen him in several interviews talking about his cars & cars in general & the guy does 'get it' & has a passion for cars, I'd love to have a walk around his garage, his collection is huge with a great mix of motors.

[akku]

a rare combination, a man with the understanding of what its all about and the AND the cash to follow it through.

He's a proper car guy. Not a trinket collector.

And this Merc idea ROCKS.

[bortaf]

Dec 21, 2009 5:28:35 GMT Autofive said:

I enjoy the Leno's Garage website, videos of him driving a Bugatti in downtown traffic and his remarkable tale of the steam car, its a interesting story...and he's be welcome round our place for his tea anytime he liked.

he would have to behave himself, of course.
we don't tolerate bad behaviour from anyone, not even Leno.
I mean, if we'ed just sat down at the table, the GFs just brought the food in, and very nicely presented it is too, and in a quiet moment, round the dinnertable, theres this strange banging noise, its Leno, he's only started removing the pistons from an 1150cc Brough Superior Pendine Racer, at our table. I should say:
Oi LENO. NO. Your not in your air conditioned, fully staffed, garage now. Remove the replica vintage motorcyle and eat your findus chicken itali-ann's in a domestic fashion.

if then, he starts regailing us with the story of a TV career spanning decades, fair enough, its an interesting story, but suddenly
sniff sniff
Theres this strange smell.
transmission fluid.
he's openly changing the gearbox oil, from a 368 cubic inch, 1937 V12 cadillac Imperial Transformable Sedan, at our dining table. I should say:
Oi Leno. No. put down the motoring icon. Pick up the spoon provided and eat your arctic roll. If you wish to wash your hands, ask for permission, and permission will be graw-nted.

We are fair people.

;D
all this should be read in the manner of frank doberman, of course

I'm crying onto my keybourd now
ya soppy feeker funnyest post for weeks ;D

[bxer]

Dec 21, 2009 9:00:45 GMT herald948 said:

I don't think there's one of us that hasn't wanted at some point to be Jay Leno's mechanic. He gets it.

FTFY ;D