Jay Leno has built a truly incredible legacy with many facets of that legacy that you don't even know about. Born in 1950, Jay has always had a passion for cars. His first car, a Buick Roadmaster still sits in his garage unless he's out driving it as he often does after he left it at his mother-in-law's house and someone left a note asking to buy it since nobody cared about it.

It adds to a collection of more than 180 cars and 160 motorcycles worth at least 50 million dollars. The most expensive car he owns is probably the most famous one, the marvelous McLaren F1.

Jays Collection
Via - Return Gates

The rest of that 50 million is spread out amongst some of the most special cars and bikes ever made over the course of all automotive history. Part of his desire to own so many unique examples is that he has a unique perspective about his ownership. He'll tell you himself that he isn't their owner so much as he is a steward. In his mind, it's his job to care for these cars and bikes so that the next generation has access to them and the knowledge to continue his work.

He owns one of the actual first "peoples' cars" ever

The first peoples car
Via - Artebellum

One of his favorite cars is a Fiat 500 Topolino. It's rear-wheel drive and small which as Jay will tell you is actually a lot of fun to drive. The Topolino translates to "Tiny Mouse" and it goes like one too. Additionally, it was truly the first "peoples car" as more than 100,000 of them had been produced before world war two ever began.

He Owns Howard Hughes' Fastest Car

The fastest car Howard Hughes Owned
Via Packard Man

It might not look like it but this thing was devilishly fast for its time featuring a deceptive 150 horsepower but a mind-numbing 2200 lb-ft of torque. Its powertrain could go 1500 miles between water fill-ups and run up over 90mph easily. All this performance was available back in 1925. No wonder that Howard Hughes wanted one.

He Helped Engineer The Ecojet

The Jet powered EcoJet
Via - JayLeno

The Ecojet is a one-off custom creation designed by BASF, Alcoa, Honeywell, General Motors and Jay himself. He personally desired to build an American car that runs on 100% biofuel, was cruelty-free and had environmentally sensitive paint that has no negative impact on the environment. It took that combination of companies to help him realize his dream.

The turbine in the Ecojet
Via - Top Speed

The motor itself is a turbine that's usually used in helicopters. In the Ecojet, it generates more than 700 horsepower and requires an automatic transmission because it needs a constant load to continue running without over-revving. The original Corvette brakes were too small and had to be upgraded as the turbine continues to push as the car comes to a stop. So they went with giant Brembo carbon fiber brakes to get it stopped. The body is completely carbon fiber so weight is exceptionally low. The exhaust has a heat resistant coating inside rated at 3000 degrees. It is without a doubt the most Jay Leno of the cars in his collection.

NEXT: 10 Of The Coolest Cars Featured On Jay Leno's Garage