Jay Leno got his first car because he wanted to take naked pics of his girlfriend

Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno says he bought his first car, which started a multi-million dollar 357-vehicle collection, because he wanted freedom – to go take naked pictures of his girlfriend.

On an exclusive tour of the comedian’s Los Angeles garage filled with hundreds of classic cars and motorcycles, Leno told DailyMailTV that living as a teenager in rural Massachusetts before the technological wonder of sexting, driving a car was his only way to get his kicks.

‘Guys sit at home and you just text your girl ”oh send me a naked picture” and they send a naked picture. In our day you had to drive to a girl’s house, somehow convince them to take their clothes off when their parents weren’t there,’ Leno said.

‘Then when you got the film you had to find a place that would develop it that didn’t know your parents. So you had to go two towns over, and then we got the pictures back and there’d be black bars over all the parts.

‘I’m not sure what the definition of freedom is for young people now, maybe it’s the iPhone, maybe it’s computers. But I lived in a rural area, uptown was seven miles – so if you rode your bike, by the time you got to uptown everything was over.

‘So the car, the motorcycle, any mode of transport like that, that was the ultimate freedom. You could go out, you could go away, you could go anywhere you wanted.’

The 69-year-old comedian and renowned car collector now hosts his own car TV show, Jay Leno’s Garage, but he started out in Andover, Massachusetts with a humble 1934 Ford.

Jay Leno gave DailyMailTV an exclusive tour of his impressive collection of 189 cars and 168 motorcycles – some worth millions of dollars apiece. The 69-year-old comedian and renowned car collector now hosts his own car TV show, Jay Leno’s Garage, but he started out in Andover, Massachusetts with a humble 1934 Ford

On an exclusive tour of the comedian's Los Angeles garage filled with hundreds of classic cars and motorcycles, Leno told DailyMailTV that living as a teenager in rural Massachusetts before the technological wonder of sexting, driving a car was his only way to get his kicks

On an exclusive tour of the comedian’s Los Angeles garage filled with hundreds of classic cars and motorcycles, Leno told DailyMailTV that living as a teenager in rural Massachusetts before the technological wonder of sexting, driving a car was his only way to get his kicks

Leno explained he got his first car as a teen living in rural Andover, Massachusetts because he wanted to be able to take naked photos of his girlfriend He said: 'When you got the film you had to find a place that would develop it that didn't know your parents. So you had to go two towns over, and then we got the pictures back and there'd be black bars over all the parts.' Pictured: Leno's Mercer Type 35J 'Raceabout' that was the first mass dual purpose sports/race car produced in the pre WW1 era, which costs nearly $1 million

Leno explained he got his first car as a teen living in rural Andover, Massachusetts because he wanted to be able to take naked photos of his girlfriend He said: ‘When you got the film you had to find a place that would develop it that didn’t know your parents. So you had to go two towns over, and then we got the pictures back and there’d be black bars over all the parts.’ Pictured: Leno’s Mercer Type 35J ‘Raceabout’ that was the first mass dual purpose sports/race car produced in the pre WW1 era, which costs nearly $1 million

Working through college in Boston at a Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz dealer, Leno began hunting down bargains on classic cars and renovating them to their former glory

Working through college in Boston at a Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz dealer, Leno began hunting down bargains on classic cars and renovating them to their former glory

Leno is now the proud owner of 189 cars and 168 motorcycles – some worth millions of dollars apiece. His most valuable and coincidentally his favorite modern car, a 1994 McLaren F1, is now worth around $17 million, though previous auctions of the model have topped $24 million

Leno is now the proud owner of 189 cars and 168 motorcycles – some worth millions of dollars apiece. His most valuable and coincidentally his favorite modern car, a 1994 McLaren F1, is now worth around $17 million, though previous auctions of the model have topped $24 million

Working through college in Boston at a Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz dealer, Leno began hunting down bargains on classic cars and renovating them to their former glory.

Leno is now the proud owner of 189 cars and 168 motorcycles – some worth millions of dollars apiece.

His most valuable and coincidentally his favorite modern car, a 1994 McLaren F1, is now worth around $17 million, though previous auctions of the model have topped $24 million.

One of Leno’s oldest models is a 1906 Stanley Steamer Vanderbilt Cup Racer, a vintage steam-powered racing car he has had to restore twice, the second time after its boiler exploded.

The Tonight Show veteran is currently converting a 1914 Detroit Electric car to run on Tesla power, bringing it trundling into the 21st century.

On the tour, Leno fired up one of his motorbikes, a 1999 Y2K Turbine Superbike, which runs on the equivalent of a jet engine and has the roaring whoosh to match.

Shouting over the whine of the engine emitting a sound that’s similar to when standing next to an airplane, Leno said: ‘You’re so glad when you get off it. You go for a ride and when you get off you’re so happy to be alive. It’s so ridiculous, and it just shuts the Harley guys up when you pull in with a jet.

‘It’s putting out 1,500 degrees out the back. I’m just so glad I didn’t fall off and get burned to death.’

Among the comedian’s scores of vintage bikes is the world’s largest collection of British Brough Superior motorcycles, popularized by Colonel Thomas Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia.

Among the comedian's scores of vintage bikes is the world's largest collection of British Brough Superior motorcycles, popularized by Colonel Thomas Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Pictured: Leno posing with a Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle

Among the comedian’s scores of vintage bikes is the world’s largest collection of British Brough Superior motorcycles, popularized by Colonel Thomas Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Pictured: Leno posing with a Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle

'These were the pinnacle of motorcycle engineering back in the day,' Leno explained. 'Lawrence of Arabia was famous for owning Brough Superiors. ' Lawrence of Arabia owned 8 of the machines and was subsequently killed while riding one

‘These were the pinnacle of motorcycle engineering back in the day,’ Leno explained. ‘Lawrence of Arabia was famous for owning Brough Superiors. ‘ Lawrence of Arabia owned 8 of the machines and was subsequently killed while riding one

Leno added: 'These cost as much as a house back in the '20s. Back then most motorcycles barely went 60mph, these went over 100mph. They were a thing of legend in books and stories'

Leno added: ‘These cost as much as a house back in the ’20s. Back then most motorcycles barely went 60mph, these went over 100mph. They were a thing of legend in books and stories’

Pictured: A British Army Ferret armored reconnaissance vehicle sitting alongside a 1930's Hispano Suiza

Pictured: A British Army Ferret armored reconnaissance vehicle sitting alongside a 1930’s Hispano Suiza 

A pair of Buick Roadsters one on the left being a 1955 convertible and the other Leno's first car on moving to LA. His team helped make up the 'advertising' poster based on the original with depictions of Leno and his wife driving the vehicle and passenger

A pair of Buick Roadsters one on the left being a 1955 convertible and the other Leno’s first car on moving to LA. His team helped make up the ‘advertising’ poster based on the original with depictions of Leno and his wife driving the vehicle and passenger 

Leno said he bought his latest car, the 189th in his collection, about three months ago because the 19ft by 11ft 1958 Lincoln Continental III (pictured) was 'the most obnoxious automobile possible'

Leno said he bought his latest car, the 189th in his collection, about three months ago because the 19ft by 11ft 1958 Lincoln Continental III (pictured) was ‘the most obnoxious automobile possible’

‘These were the pinnacle of motorcycle engineering back in the day,’ Leno explained. ‘Lawrence of Arabia was famous for owning Brough Superiors.

‘These cost as much as a house back in the ’20s. Back then most motorcycles barely went 60mph, these went over 100mph. They were a thing of legend in books and stories.’

Leno said he bought his latest car, the 189th in his collection, about three months ago because the 19ft by 11ft 1958 Lincoln Continental III was ‘the most obnoxious automobile possible’.

‘I’d love to drive this through the Cotswolds [in rural England] and say ”Hi I’m an American, we’re looking for McDonalds!” just so people come out and throw things at us. This is the kind of thing [President Donald] Trump would drive through England, the most obnoxious automobile possible, the most American crap, gas-spewing, huge, heavy thing,’ he said.

‘That was a family car, 16-year-old girls took their drivers test in those things. But it’s so big you could pack everyone you know in it and go for a ride.’

Though Leno singled out his McLaren F1 as his favorite modern car, he has trouble deciding on his all-time number one favorite from the vast collection spanning more than 100 years of automobile history.

‘I wouldn’t have all these cars if I had a favorite,’ he told DailyMailTV. ‘The way it works is, if you like something you just keep going further back. What came before that, what came before that.

‘The nice thing about this hobby is it’s not like Egyptology where you have to go back 10,000 years. It’s really 150 years old at best. So there’s all these remnants of this stuff still around, which makes it kind of fun.’

The fastest car Leno currently owns and uses as his everyday run around is this Tesla Model S P100D. The model is the fastest accelerating production model ever produced and comes with 'Ludicrous mode' able to sprint the car from 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds

The fastest car Leno currently owns and uses as his everyday run around is this Tesla Model S P100D. The model is the fastest accelerating production model ever produced and comes with ‘Ludicrous mode’ able to sprint the car from 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds

The stand-up comic, who still tours the country performing when he isn't in his Big Dog auto shop in Burbank, Los Angeles, says he enjoys the balance of manual and mental labor. Pictured: A 1967 Lamborghini Miura once owned by Dean Martin

The stand-up comic, who still tours the country performing when he isn’t in his Big Dog auto shop in Burbank, Los Angeles, says he enjoys the balance of manual and mental labor. Pictured: A 1967 Lamborghini Miura once owned by Dean Martin

Leno said: 'I just like the mechanicalness of driving. I'm in a business where you make your living by talking. I think the heart is healthiest when the head and the hands work together. When you fix something you've actually accomplished something.' Pictured: An old model of a Maserati

 Leno said: ‘I just like the mechanicalness of driving. I’m in a business where you make your living by talking. I think the heart is healthiest when the head and the hands work together. When you fix something you’ve actually accomplished something.’ Pictured: An old model of a Maserati 

The appeal of his vehicles can vary, from speed to beauty – or bestial power, he said

The appeal of his vehicles can vary, from speed to beauty – or bestial power, he said

Despite passing retirement age, Leno says he's too busy working to go on any long road trips with his classic cars, though he enjoys a drive up to Angeles Crest above Los Angeles. Pictured: General views of Lamborghini's in Leno's collection

Despite passing retirement age, Leno says he’s too busy working to go on any long road trips with his classic cars, though he enjoys a drive up to Angeles Crest above Los Angeles. Pictured: General views of Lamborghini’s in Leno’s collection

The stand-up comic, who still tours the country performing when he isn’t in his Big Dog auto shop in Burbank, Los Angeles, says he enjoys the balance of manual and mental labor.

‘I just like the mechanicalness of driving,’ he said. ‘I’m in a business where you make your living by talking. I think the heart is healthiest when the head and the hands work together. When you fix something you’ve actually accomplished something.

‘Comedy is such a subjective thing. Some people like you, some people think you suck, and they’re both right. If people don’t think you’re funny, you’re not funny. But you take something that’s broken and make it run, nobody can say it’s not running.

‘The idea is if something’s broken and you fix it and then you drive it, you feel like you’re not some rich sod who just drives around all day and has no idea how the thing works. I mean I meet people like that all the time. I don’t want to be one of those guys.’

Leno said the appeal of his vehicles can vary, from speed to beauty – or bestial power.

The comedian said one monstrous vehicle specially made from a Cold War-era tank engine was a particular favorite of his friend, Terminator star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

‘This is Schwarzenegger’s favorite car. Arnold loves it,’ Leno said, mimicking the bodybuilder’s German accent. ‘Every time he gets near it he’s like ”oh I just love that car, it’s just like the terminator, it’s fantastic”.

‘He has his picture taken with it,’ he added, gesturing to the giant metal grille. ‘His head looks like the front of it, doesn’t it? It’s just so stupid. It’s an M47 Patton Tank engine, it weighs five tonnes, it’s ridiculous. We put Bosch fuel injection, we put twin turbos on it. It’s actually quite powerful. It’s just stupid, it’s a big giant, more-money-than-brains thing.’

The comedian said one monstrous vehicle (pictured) specially made from a Cold War-era tank engine was a particular favorite of his friend, Terminator star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. 'This is Schwarzenegger's favorite car. Arnold loves it,' Leno said, mimicking the bodybuilder's German accent. 'Every time he gets near it he's like ''oh I just love that car, it's just like the terminator, it's fantastic''.

The comedian said one monstrous vehicle (pictured) specially made from a Cold War-era tank engine was a particular favorite of his friend, Terminator star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. ‘This is Schwarzenegger’s favorite car. Arnold loves it,’ Leno said, mimicking the bodybuilder’s German accent. ‘Every time he gets near it he’s like ”oh I just love that car, it’s just like the terminator, it’s fantastic”.

Leno explained: 'It's an M47 Patton Tank engine, it weighs five tonnes, it's ridiculous. We put Bosch fuel injection, we put twin turbos on it. It's actually quite powerful. It's just stupid, it's a big giant, more-money-than-brains thing'

Leno explained: ‘It’s an M47 Patton Tank engine, it weighs five tonnes, it’s ridiculous. We put Bosch fuel injection, we put twin turbos on it. It’s actually quite powerful. It’s just stupid, it’s a big giant, more-money-than-brains thing’

'You know the funny thing about Los Angeles is everybody says the driving is awful. It is awful around the 210, the 5, the 405 or the 101. But you go six miles up in Tujunga Canyon and you don't even see another car, it's like driving in Sicily. I was there yesterday, I drove up to the snow line,' Leno said

‘You know the funny thing about Los Angeles is everybody says the driving is awful. It is awful around the 210, the 5, the 405 or the 101. But you go six miles up in Tujunga Canyon and you don’t even see another car, it’s like driving in Sicily. I was there yesterday, I drove up to the snow line,’ Leno said

Pictured: A 1970 Dodge Challenger GT gifted to Leno by singer Garth Brooks

Pictured: A 1970 Dodge Challenger GT gifted to Leno by singer Garth Brooks

Leno's garage manager, 54-year-old John Pera, revealed another star was close to the Big Dog garage. Pera, who has worked for Leno for 28 years, said he once sold a 1974 Rolls-Royce (not pictured) that he had restored to John Travolta for $80,000

Leno’s garage manager, 54-year-old John Pera, revealed another star was close to the Big Dog garage. Pera, who has worked for Leno for 28 years, said he once sold a 1974 Rolls-Royce (not pictured) that he had restored to John Travolta for $80,000

Leno’s garage manager, 54-year-old John Pera, revealed another star was close to the Big Dog garage.

Pera, who has worked for Leno for 28 years, said he once sold a 1974 Rolls-Royce that he had restored to John Travolta for $80,000.

Pera said the Grease star was desperate to buy the vehicle, once owned by Oscar-winning actor Ernest Borgnine, in the superstitious hope that it would help him also win an Academy Award.

‘I had [Travolta] beg me and beg me for it, because he idolized Ernest Borgnine,’ Pera told DailyMail.com. ‘[He] thought if he bought it maybe he’d win an Oscar too, some of the luck would rub off. But he’s never won an Oscar.’

Leno said that one of his favorite stories behind a classic car was for a yellow 1953 Hudson Hornet he acquired from a 94-year-old woman.

‘She’s 94, but no hearing aid or glasses. She goes ”Oh I’ve got a ’51 Hudson. Will you come and look at mine, my husband and I bought it new in ’51. We drove it from New Jersey to California, he died in ’96, it’s the only car we ever owned, it’s in the driveway with four flat tires”,’ he said.

Leno restored the car and two years later called the woman up to offer her a ride, wondering if the woman, now 96, would still be alive.

‘She said ”yeah, but I’ve got to get my hair done’. I say ”ok, how about Friday?” She said ”Is it ok if I bring the kids?” I said ”yeah”. Well, the kids are 72 and 74.’

Former Tonight Show host Leno (pictured with Kim Kardashian on his show in 2013) says he bought his first car that kick started his multi-million dollar 357-vehicle collection because he wanted freedom – to go take naked pictures of his girlfriend

Former Tonight Show host Leno (pictured with Kim Kardashian on his show in 2013) says he bought his first car that kick started his multi-million dollar 357-vehicle collection because he wanted freedom – to go take naked pictures of his girlfriend

The stand-up comic, who still tours the country performing when he isn't in his Big Dog auto shop in Burbank, Los Angeles, says he enjoys the balance of manual and mental labor

The stand-up comic, who still tours the country performing when he isn’t in his Big Dog auto shop in Burbank, Los Angeles, says he enjoys the balance of manual and mental labor

General views of single vehicles part of Jay Leno's extensive car collection

A 1909 Baker Electric with rudder steering

Leno said that one of his favorite stories behind a classic car was for a yellow 1953 Hudson Hornet he acquired from a 94-year-old woman. Pictured right: A 1909 Baker Electric with rudder steering

A custom made vehicle known as 'The Rocker car' part of Leno's vast car collection

A custom made vehicle known as ‘The Rocker car’ part of Leno’s vast car collection

A representative for Visit California, who arranged the Big Dog Garage tour, said visitors wanting to plan a road trip to the golden state should go to visitcalifornia.com and discoverla.com

A representative for Visit California, who arranged the Big Dog Garage tour, said visitors wanting to plan a road trip to the golden state should go to visitcalifornia.com and discoverla.com

Leno said that on their road trip, her children behaved just as they did when they were little, sat in the back seat of the Hornet as their parents drove it across the country to the West coast.

‘I pick her up and the kids have got her blindfolded. I pull up and she’s touching the car, they take the blindfold off and she starts crying. We go for a ride and she’s telling me how they drove with the kids in the back from New Jersey.

‘So we’re driving along, and the 72 and 74-year-old in the back start poking each other. She turns round and slaps the s**t out of them. ”I told you kids to behave, Mr Leno’s taking us out, why are you doing this”. The three of them are just having the time of their life falling down laughing.’

Leno added that the brassy grandmother lived to be 104. 

Despite passing retirement age, Leno says he’s too busy working to go on any long road trips with his classic cars, though he enjoys a drive up to Angeles Crest above Los Angeles.

‘You know the funny thing about Los Angeles is everybody says the driving is awful. It is awful around the 210, the 5, the 405 or the 101. But you go six miles up in Tujunga Canyon and you don’t even see another car, it’s like driving in Sicily. I was there yesterday, I drove up to the snow line,’ he said.

‘It’s only 46 miles from here and it’s snowed in, and yet it’s 75 degrees here. You really can’t do that anywhere in Europe, where you can go surfing and skiing on the same day.’

A representative for Visit California, who arranged the Big Dog Garage tour, said visitors wanting to plan a road trip to the golden state should go to visitcalifornia.com and discoverla.com.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk