Jay Leno drives a beast that used to cost the equivalent of several luxury homes and he doesn't want to stop
Published on Apr 02, 2026 at 12:01 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Apr 01, 2026 at 12:09 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Comedian and former chat show host Jay Leno has an incredible array of cars, yet a stunning luxury Packard from the 1930s might be one of the most extravagant, as it used to cost as much as several luxury homes.
This amazing car was also known as the ‘banker’s hot rod’ for reasons which will become clear, and not only was it full of luxury, but it was fast too.
Leno showcased this particular Packard on his Jay Leno’s Garage YouTube channel and got to take it out onto the road.
Usually based at The Nethercutt Collection, Leno was excited to get behind the wheel of a 1930s classic.
This is how much a 1930 Packard would cost in 2026
The car in question is a 1930 Packard 734 Speedster, and collection curator Cameron Richards brought it to Leno’s garage.
This example is one of just two of the Speedsters known to survive in 2026.
In total, 113 of these cars were built across five different body styles.
Packard built it as a rival to the Duesenberg luxury cars, and at the time, the car cost $6,000.
Roughly changed for inflation, that is potentially as much as $155,000 in today’s money.
Back in the 1930s, that was enough to buy several luxury homes.
To put the price into context, at the time, a Ford Model T would cost around $300, a huge price gulf.
Under the hood was a 6.3-liter straight-eight engine making 145hp and 250lb-ft of torque.
With a top speed over 100mph, this is how it earned its ‘bankers’ hot rod’ nickname.
Why Jay Leno loved the car so much
“It accelerates like a car from the ’60s,” said Leno in the video on his channel.
This is one of the reasons the comedian loved the car so much, with its performance ahead of its time.
“You feel like John Dillinger in this thing,” he added, referencing a notorious gangster from the Great Depression.
The speed made it perfect for bank robbers and gangsters, allowing them to get away from the scene of their crimes rapidly.
But it was also comfy and full of luxury.
“It’s just the sexiest car, I think,” Leno also said, and it is easy to see why he thought that.
Making this car even more special is the Victoria coachwork.
Of the two Speedsters left, this is the only one with a Victoria coachwork body.
It featured all sorts of cool technical innovations, too, such as its updraft carburetor, a key safety feature at the time.
Combined with its rapid acceleration and the sporty handling, this Packard is one very special machine.
Packard timeline
1899: Founded by James Ward Packard, his brother William, and George Weiss in Warren, Ohio
1903: Operations relocated to a massive new Detroit factory designed by architect Albert Kahn
1915: Debuted the revolutionary Twin Six, the first production V12 passenger car engine
1920s-1930s: Dominated the market as the top-selling luxury automobile brand in America
1940s: Paused civilian car production to build Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engines during WWII
1954: Merged with the struggling Studebaker Corporation to form Studebaker-Packard
1956: The historic Detroit facility closed, ending the production of classic, true Packards
1958: The final Studebaker-based models were built, and the Packard brand was officially discontinued
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
