Jay Leno drives the one-of-a-kind post-war Duesenberg, a unicorn planned to cost far more than a Rolls-Royce

Jay Leno has driven almost everything with four wheels, but now and then something genuinely strange rolls into his garage – and this time it was a rarer-than-rare Duesenberg.

This time, it was a giant maroon luxury sedan wearing one of the most legendary names in American car history.

The car was meant to bring Duesenberg back from the dead and take on Rolls-Royce at the very top of the luxury world.

Instead, the entire project collapsed almost overnight, leaving behind just one enormous prototype.

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The one-off Duesenberg Jay Leno got his hands on

Back in the 1920s and 30s, Duesenberg had already established itself as the ultimate American luxury brand. 

Its famous Model J was faster, more powerful, and significantly more expensive than almost anything else on the road. 

As a result, it quickly became the car of choice for movie stars, royalty, and the ultra-wealthy.

Although the brand disappeared after the Great Depression, its reputation never really faded. 

Because of that legacy, Fritz Duesenberg – the son of co-founder Augie Duesenberg – decided in the 1960s that it was time for a comeback.

The plan, however, was anything but modest. 

The new car was meant to be the finest luxury vehicle in the world.

That ambition led to the 1966 Duesenberg Model D, a massive neo-classic sedan styled by legendary designer Virgil Exner. 

While the car borrowed cues from the brand’s 1930s icons, including a towering grille and clamshell-style fenders, it also incorporated modern touches like hidden headlights.

At the same time, the proportions were enormous. 

Measuring 245 inches long, the Model D was even larger than many Cadillac limousines of the era. 

Meanwhile, the body itself was hand-built in Italy by Ghia, giving the huge sedan an unexpectedly elegant presence.

Inside, the car was designed as a rolling lounge for wealthy passengers. 

Leather, mahogany trim, fold-out writing tables, and even a rear passenger speedometer all reinforced the sense of luxury. 

Under the hood, a Chrysler 413ci Street Wedge V8 paired with a TorqueFlite automatic provided the power.

Naturally, the price reflected those ambitions. 

At $19,500 in 1966, the Model D was roughly double the cost of a Cadillac and firmly in Rolls-Royce territory.

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Alas, the Duesenberg revival never happened

Even so, interest appeared strong at first. 

The company reportedly received around 50 early orders, and famous names like Elvis Presley were said to be among those considering one.

However, the entire project relied heavily on outside investment. 

When the primary investor withdrew support in October 1966, the revival immediately ran into trouble. 

Without the $2.5 million needed to start production, the factory never opened.

As a result, only a single Model D prototype was ever completed.

The car was later sold in 1968 for $37,500 before eventually spending decades on display at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. 

Over time, it found its way into private collections, where it was carefully restored.

Today, the one-of-a-kind sedan belongs to collector Tom Shannon, who brought it to Jay Leno’s Garage so Leno could experience the closest thing the world has to a post-war Duesenberg.

With fewer than 800 miles on the clock, the giant maroon cruiser now stands as one of the biggest ‘what if’ stories in American luxury car history.

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