Jay Leno drove the rare 'automotive royalty' Mercedes that's the world's first ever supercar around California

Jay Leno has driven what he calls rare ‘automotive royalty’, which is a Mercedes 3795 that he claims is the world’s first supercar.

This is a remarkable 9.6-liter Mercedes 3795 that is chain-driven, and it recently underwent a major restoration thanks to the Nethercutt Collection.

Long before Lamborghini or Ferrari began producing supercars, it is claimed this car was the world’s first, due to the power it made back in the 1910s.

Thanks to Leno and the museum, this remarkable and very rare car is now getting the coverage that it deserves.

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The chain-driven four-cylinder engine is the highlight of the supercar

Powering the Mercedes 3795 Double Phaeton Torpedo is what was, at the time, a very powerful engine.

It had a 580ci 9.6-liter four-cylinder under the hood, making around 95hp.

While nothing compared to modern 1,000hp supercars, that 95hp was a big deal back in 1913.

It also meant the car could reach dizzying speeds.

In fact, the Mercedes could go as fast as 100mph, which was ludicrous in the 1910s.

Before its introduction, you were lucky if a car could go as fast as 30mph, let alone anywhere near 100.

Chain drive was also much more common in the 1910s.

It’s something manufacturers have long since moved away from.

Modern machines still use chains for the timing in engines, though.

The Mercedes 3795 has a stunning coachwork design

Not only does its engine make it special, but this Mercedes has some rather beautiful bodywork.

The coachwork was done by Henri Labourdette, a French blacksmith.

He began producing bodies for automobiles in 1896.

His company began properly producing coachwork for cars from the 1910s onwards.

Custom coachwork sees bespoke bodies placed onto various chassis.

Rolls-Royce is another manufacturer that utilized this and still does, such as on the Arcadia Droptail.

In his YouTube series, the American comedian also had a chance to drive the supercar.

While out and about, he remarked on how easily the classic Mercedes could keep up with modern traffic.

It was also smooth riding thanks to its suspension, which absorbed the bumps like they weren’t there.

For a car built over 100 years ago, the Mercedes 3795 was a car that left quite an impression on Leno.

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