Jay Leno saw this car and offered the owner a blank check, but the owner said no
- Jay Leno offered the Duesenberg owner a blank check
- Owner Jimmy Castle firmly declined Leno’s generous offer
- Duesenberg has a rich history in Hollywood
Published on Jul 19, 2024 at 2:52 PM (UTC+4)
by Daksh Chaudhary
Last updated on Jul 19, 2024 at 4:07 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
When Jay Leno, the well-known car enthusiast and US TV host, laid eyes on this Duesenberg, he was so impressed that he offered the owner a blank check.
However, to everyone’s surprise, the owner, Jimmy Castle, firmly declined his generous offer.
That’s what you call true love, when it comes to vintage cars.
This car isn’t just any old car, though; it’s a Duesenberg Straight Eight.
READ MORE: Beyoncé’s $1m vintage Silver Cloud Rolls-Royce II is one of the world’s most unique cars
Jay Leno was denied the car even though he offered a blank check
The amazing story of this proposed transaction between Jay Leno and Jimmy Castle is told in full on YouTube channel VINwiki.
Samuel Northup Castle was a wealthy businessman from the USA who managed to obtain one of the first Duesenberg road cars in the 1920s.
Castle’s Duesenberg was not just powerful, but also technologically advanced for its time.
It had a chassis with four-wheel hydraulic brakes, a feature typically reserved for racing cars.
Over time, the car even went through some modifications – including a few updates – but its vintage essence remained intact.
Restoration expert Bruce Canepa took on the monumental task of restoring the car, after which it also took part in Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
![Car denied to Jay Leno](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/Jay-Leno-was-denied-the-car-even-though-he-offered-a-blank-check-1024x719.png)
The vintage vehicle finished second in its class, which – although a proud moment – left Jay Leno quite disappointed.
That’s because he believed the car deserved first spot.
Further down the line, the car was inherited by Samuel Castle’s nephew, James.
As inheritances go, this is a pretty sweet one.
Duesenberg has a rich history
![Rich history of Duesenberg Model](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/Duesenberg-has-a-rich-history-1024x629.png)
Duesenberg has a rich history with Hollywood glamour and elite status.
Celebrities like Clark Gable and Greta Garbo were among the proud owners of this exquisite automobile.
The company was originally a maker of aircraft and marine engines, but ventured into road car production in 1919.
![Duesenberg vintage car](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/Duesenberg-Model-1024x755.png)
However, the cars they made were anything but ordinary – they were the most elite of their kind.
Estimated at around $13 million in 2013, the car’s true value lies in the love it has gathered from car enthusiasts.
For Jimmy, no amount of money could replace the sentimental worth of this magnificent car, just like the man who loved his Rolls-Royce and drove it for 82 years.
When you love something that much, money isn’t important – regardless of the offer.
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Daksh Chaudhary
Meet Daksh: Not your typical pro, but definitely a pro at being fascinated by supercars, tech, and all things futuristic. When he's not nose-deep in work, catch him glued to anime screens or lost in the pages of a good book.