Ever wonder about Jay Leno’s legendary rides? Not just rare or expensive, but downright strange cars that make you do a double-take. Some were ahead of their time, and others were just too bold for the mainstream. This isn’t your usual car list. These ten oddballs bend the rules and raise eyebrows.

Blastolene Special

Wild! That’s the first word that hits you when you see the Blastolene Special. This 19.5-foot, 9,500-pound beast runs on a tank engine—yes, literally a Patton M47 military tank motor. Jay picked it up through builder Randy Grubb and later modified the design for legal use on public roads.

EcoJet

Engineered in partnership with General Motors (GM) and Honeywell in 2006, the EcoJet is not just a concept; it’s a biodiesel-powered jet car built to perform. A Honeywell LT101 turbine engine sits midship, producing 650 hp while emitting a high-pitched whine straight out of a sci-fi soundtrack.

1909 Baker Electric

Imagine charging your car in 1909. That’s what this battery-powered beauty allowed. Built for wealthy socialites, this Baker Electric quietly cruised cities decades before Teslas were even a twinkle in Elon’s eye. Clara Ford, Henry Ford’s wife, drove one of them. Jay’s restored version reminds you that some old ideas were ahead of their time.

Propeller-Driven Car

Yes, you read that right—a car with a giant spinning propeller on its nose. Sparked by post-World War I aviation fever, this early experiment aimed to merge cars and aircraft into a single, absurd hybrid. It’s loud, and it’s windy. The careful restoration made sure the danger stayed vintage, not deadly.

Tatra T87

Streamlined yet unusual, the Czech-built Tatra T87 emerged in the 1930s and featured a rear-mounted air-cooled V8 engine. Nazi officers adored it; until too many died in crashes due to its tail-heavy design. Leno’s perfectly preserved model feels like a time capsule from a future that never came to pass.

1930 Bentley 27-Litre Meteor Special

Unbelievable horsepower meets British grace. This Bentley Meteor hides a Rolls-Royce V12 aircraft engine, the same used in WWII Spitfires. Jay imported it from the UK and made it drivable. It takes skill and nerve to tame this machine, and Jay has both in full supply.

Citroen SM

Hydraulics. That’s what makes the Citroen SM drive like it’s from Mars. Leno fell for its quirky Maserati-sourced V6 and otherworldly suspension. A true 1970s French-Italian fusion, the car glides and self-levels on command. Jay’s model remains one of the best-preserved, still cruising like it never left the showroom.

1958 Chrysler Imperial Dual-Ghia

Draped in hand-formed Italian curves with Detroit muscle underneath, this rare coupe is the size of a small yacht. Dual-Ghia built just a handful—Frank Sinatra had one. Leno’s model exudes ’50s drama with bold fins and chrome overload. Subtlety isn’t the goal, which makes it impossible to ignore.

Morgan 3-Wheeler

Weird, dangerous, fun! The Morgan 3-wheeler is essentially a motorcycle that has been given a third wheel. Leno’s modern version features a V-twin motorcycle engine mounted to the front. You feel every bump and every grin it forces onto your face.

1963 Chrysler Turbine Car

Imagine starting your car with a whoosh. This 1963 bronze dream could run on tequila, perfume, or peanut oil. Powered by a jet turbine engine that Chrysler tested in a fleet of 55 cars, it emits the sound of a vacuum cleaner cranked to its highest speed.