The Giant and Luxurious 1957 Imperial - Jay Leno’s Garage 

Please don’t apologize for the lockdown shows. This is one of my favorite episodes. Great.

I feel like I just went for a ride in a beautiful old car with a friend.....looking at the comments seems like there are many others who feel the same. I hope you're still doing this at 90 Jay....stay well!

When I was a boy in the 1950s we would almost every year visit Pennsylvania where the family roots are. I had an uncle in a small coal mining town who, like almost everyone there, came from a poor coal mining family. It's all there was back then. He would live real frugal all year and save up his money. Then each fall he would buy the latest top of the line car, but he never drove them anywhere. He would keep it in the garage all week and on Sunday morning's pull it out into the driveway. There, he would wash & polish it, then sit on the porch all day and look at it. Once he was sure all of the neighbors had seen it, late afternoon he would put it back in the garage and close the door 'til the following Sunday. I remember his '57 imperial which replaced the previous Packard. He faithfully followed this routine until the day he passed away. Jay, thanks again for keeping rolling history alive and all the memories it brings.

Jay deserves a like for that trunk scene

Jay, I know I speak for a lot of your fans when I say: Thank you for going to all the trouble to post a video when you're flying solo like this. We all look forward to your video each week (especially classics like this one!), and we appreciate what you do!

"The hardest working guy in show business" is still doing it for his RU-vid channel fans. Thank you Jay!

Watching and listening to Mr Leno makes me miss my dad. Thank you

Jay.....we all love you so much....thanks for all you do....back in summer 1967 while hitching rides cross-country, I had a long wait all night for my next lift, in Victorville,CA on I-15. A guy getting back on the road in the morn 'bout 8:30a after getting a coffee stop, picks me up in a '58 blk beauty imp w/landau. He asks: Where ya goin' ? I say East, he sez get in, and drives us to Knoxville, TN. Best riding car of my lifetime. Thanks for rekindling that memory.

No need to apologize about anything Jay. Your efforts are most appreciated!

Jay still paying his guys through this crazy time. I knew he was a stand up guy.

I have to believe Jay put the camera on its tripod, left it unattended, and moved it around several times to get the drive by shots. That's a lot of work, stopping the car, repositioning the camera for a different shot, and repeat several times, all for us! Thanks Jay!

Jay's passion really shines through when he's talking about Cars and motorcycles . And since he has decades of experience with his standup comedy performing in front of live audiences across the country . His delivery is calm , on point , and is like listening to a good friend. No script needed . Smooth Mr Leno . 😎 That's one cool car . It's huge .

My favourite category, Jay doing one of his own cars which is original and unrestored.

This format is a lot more intimate, I like it!

Fabulous car in a gorgeous colour. No-one made anything like this anywhere else in the world. This was when American engineering and style was unsurpassed by anyone.

I go back to these videos because they’re BETTER! No interviews no bs, just Jay and a very cool car!

Jay Leno: your a necessity to society. A good man!

With no one around to judge him, Jay actually got in the trunk.

Mario story never gets old.👏😅...”Like a pet elephant, big and friendly.”😀I ❤️the style and ride Jay.👏

Thank you Jay. At 5 years old from Scotland this is the beginning of my memories in the Vancouver area. A back Imperial shorter fins and rusting, gorgeous, modern and tech for the day. He drove it weekly from the Peace River dam through the Cariboo which eventually was fully paved. Must have been one hell of a drive. We all miss Grandpa and the Chrysler Imperial. Millions of people will miss you Jay in this same way, live forever Mister you're a great version of a Human Being.

Mad respect for Jay doing this all by himself. Nothing professional. Nothing detached. Just a guy talking about cars he loves. It's wonderful.

The upside of all this is that Jay is digging in his personal collection :D

Its remarkable ... the car as well as the parallels in my childhood and Jay's. Same birthday... 4/28/50 and brought home from the hospital in a 49 Plymouth. I was the first born - My dad freaked out when my mother went into birth pains ... loaded up the car with all the pre-planed accouchements - got to the hospital and the doctors asked "where's the wife?". He had to drive back home to get her. Also I am a avid car enthusiast. My dad had a 57 New Yorker that I remember would chirp the back tires when punched at 70 mph. I remember I cried when he sold it. Anyway... retired at 71 - just built a shop with 4 bays ... drive a Tesla Mdl 3 and am trying to restore a 1990 Ram 350 Cummings Turbo-Diesel. Hope to meet Jay in person some day.

Jay, you are one celebrity that that status has not gone to your head. You're a real person. I appreciate you, without envying you. You would make any decent person a good friend. Hey, the car wasn't bad either!!

Mr. Leno is seemingly so unaffected by the stature of his celebrity, just loves his job and his cars.

These are my favorite episodes when Jay shares one of his "original and unmolested" cars. This show was a feel good video.

Loved the one Milton Berle drove in the movie "IT'S A MAD, MAD MAD, MAD WORLD!".

Ah it brings back so many memories of the enormous cars of the late 40’s and 50’s I would work on, shine, and drive. It was a good time for America and being a kid around these monsters. Thanks Jay!

Jay ....IN The Trunk ! PRICELESS RESPECT of the humility and absolute love of the car world ! 👍🏼... Thanks Sir !

Honestly Jay, for filming everything yourself, you did a great job.

Hello and good morning Jay. You’re probably a year or two older than me. I’m 70 and I love the video’s of the cars from that era. The two I remember the most that my dad owned was a 1957 Buick Roadmaster and a 1959 Chevrolet Impala. Dad always owned two door cars. Oh! He owned a 1966 Ford Galaxie convertible powered by a 390 ci. I do enjoy the videos that you produce Jay and thank you very much for a pleasant trip down memory lane. All the best to you. Be safe. I’d love to come to California and meet you see your fabulous collection and hang out a bit. I retired from truck driving (over the road) after 35 years and got through California more than a few times.

My Dad had me on his knee, 57 De Soto Station wagon, in New Zealand. Bought brand new, and fabulous memories, about 4 years old and lessons learnt never forgotten. The chassis was stunning, and I went on to buy 2 De Soto's and a Plymouth, 54, 56 and 57. Swapping bodies rotted out and putting bodies on. In NZ and Australia our Chryslers arrived in boxes for assembly and were often composite cars-that is bits and pieces from all 3 lines. It was a Fiat 500 going round and around in a paddock a few years later that sealed the driving skills. One extreme to the other, but my father a big man, also loved the small cars.

I loved the "Mario" story. At 68 years, I too have grown to appreciate the beauty of the luxury cars of the fifties and sixties.

Jay did a fine job filming this. Im sure its the same editor but hey he got the footage.

I,m 73 and always remember that my Sunday School teacher had one of these, and during the Christmas Holiday, she would load the whole class in her car and we would go caroling, and especially at the end, she would drop us off at our own homes, and take each one to the trunk of it and give us a box of chocolates. Thanks for the memory, and your dedication to so many of these American treasures.

My family had a '55 Plymouth Station Wagon with a luggage rack, which they bought when I was 8. I don't know how big the engine was, but I remember the gear shift was 3 speeds on the column. We used to drive from Calif to Texas and back in the summer, visiting relatives. My parents put the seat down in the back and put in a mattress for me and my sister. My sister did a lot of reading, but I spent most of my time looking out the window. I remember my all time favorite place to stop on those trips (we made 3 or 4 of them) was Phoenix, where EVERY motel seemed to have a pool. It was always a blast in Phoenix! Thanks Jay for this video, it reminded me of a lot of fun memories. I remember seeing those Imperials a lot back in the glorious, innocent '50s. Lol. (As most people now know, those times weren't really all that innocent. Most of the negative stuff was just kept well hidden).

LOVE this simpler solo format. Thanks Jay!

who else agrees with me that Jay Leno does not look like he's 70 years old? he looks like he's still in his early 60's at most

I too love the land yachts but my all time favorite is the '59 Cadillac! I spent 9yrs doing a resto-mod on mine, I even had to build her her own garage because she was too long to fit in my attached garage. She comes out a couple times each month but never when the roads are wet. Wish I could attach some pics so everyone could see, that's how proud I am to own her! Thanks Jay.

I love our drive and chat Jay. Me being a punk 61 year old, I so look forward to our visits. Like my big brother.

Love the Imperial, I have a 63 Crown Imperial with the 413, I've had it since 1981, I've driven it for 200,000 +miles and yes I've gone through it all. I drove it all through the 80s an 90s while I was in the Marine Corps, my Marines would call it Sgt. Sherrill's Batmobile, all in fun, not like the other names they called me.🤔 I could get 8 of us in the car when we would go to Oceanside. My children drove in this car most of their lives growing up and in my 55 Chevy. I brought them home in my 55 Chevy from the Hospital, the only way to do it. I've been watching your brother in Adventures with a Purpose you know he's a funny guy too! I've watch you nearly my entire life, believe or not I cried the first time I saw you on TV. but I'm not saying why! Iove the videos Jay, love the cars.👍👍👍👍👍❤

I actually liked the more personal look at the car, especially the Jay’s-Eye-View of the car’s underside and the chat with the guys at the red light. Thanks for keeping the videos coming in these strange times.

I thinks it’s pretty cool that Jay not only knows so much about cars, but he also is tech savvy enough to shoot his own video. Not too many people his age that can do that! Great job Jay!

Thanks for going to the trouble of making this video during these times. That car is in amazing condition, it is good to see someone preserving history and sharing it.

"Banned from demolition derbies." LOL!

The story of Mario made me laugh. Those small stories of his past make these videos come alive and are so enjoyable.

Mr and Mrs Cunningham drove from Chicago to Winnipeg each summer in their robin's-egg-blue 1957 Imperial two-door hardtop to spend a couple of months in their house on Victoria Crescent, and I coveted that beautiful car. They kept a mint '51 Chrysler in the other stall in their garage, and I've always fantasized that both are still there. The 1957 Imperial is still the most perfectly proportioned 50s design as far as I'm concerned. Thanks, Jay, for bringing North American car culture back to life in such a detailed, knowledgeable and loving way.

This show is really great. Jay is supremely knowledgeable on his cars, it's amazing. Nice to spend time with someone who is sharing their passion.

Mr. Leno, Thank you for your time. Your willingness to share it with us in spite of what must be more work and hassle is wonderful. It is very kind of you to share your knowledge and collection with anyone that chooses to listen. I am very grateful and wish good health upon you and yours. Sincerely, David

Jay talking about cars, Jay talking about life, Jay reading the phone book: a thousand times more entertaining than any of the current crop of late night talk show hosts masquerading as comedians.

This episode kept me hooked till the end..... Jay's affection for this Imperial is so genuine. The car is one hell of a looker, interior is lovely, the design is evergreen & even today, it looks much better than most of the things running out on the roads.

Jay, many thanks for this video. My first strong car memory was the '58 Imperial my dad bought when I was perhaps 7 or 8 years old. I've always been fond of Imperials, particularly the '57 to '65 models. We've owned, and I've driven many of the old Chrysler vehicles with the torsion bar suspension. They cornered infinitely better than any other large, heavy vehicle. Like your friend said, "like a sports car." Perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, but impressive considering the mass. Probably the best car for a perfect blend of fun and comfort I've personally owned was a 1968 Dodge Polara with a 383 V8. Dad also had a '68 Chrysler Newport with a 383, but his was the high-performance version. Both were a blast to drive on a windy, rollercoaster road. Again, thanks for the memories, and your '57 surely is a beauty!

Jay your a national treasure! I wish you were still on the Tonight Show! I have fond memories being 5 or 6 years old and my mom letting me watch the Tonight show at 11:30! I always felt so happy hearing my mom laugh at your monolog.. good times..

I am really digging Jay bringing out his collection, no camera crew, but the show must go on, and Jay's doing a fine job

Jay -- I cannot think of any other celebrity that is more down to earth than you. Most of them could not care less about us "little people". But you treat us as equals and it shows by the way you talk to us in your videos. I loved you when you hosted The Tonight Show, and I am so thankful to you for staying in touch with us via these wonderful videos of your cars & more collection. I loved you even more than Johnny Carson, whom I did not really care that much for due to his affinity for naughty stuff whereas you kept it more family friendly. BTW, you are only 8 years older than me (I was born in 1958) and my maternal grandfather had a big ole Dodge car, which I am thinking was either a '57 or '58 and was probably a Coronet. I remember it had the push button gear selector on the dash and I remember it was kind of a greenish-blue color but I do not remember much else about it as I was just a very small child when he had it, and so this video brings back that memory for me. I doubt you will read this but I just wanted to verbalize these things that I feel in my heart. Thank you so much, Jay!

One more great video about yet another incredible American car, Mr. Leno! This particular car (make, model and year) was part of my very earliest childhood introduction to the Golden Age of all things American. My Mom & Dad took advantage of the post-World-War-Two military veterans' house purchasing programs of the US government then. They financed, instead of only one, two houses to own. Their intention was to live in one and rent the other to reduce their mortgage payments further in those days of extreme housing shortages at all levels of income (sound eerily modern day relevant?). Their second home was quickly rented to an elderly couple who had "white flight" fled from the city of Philadelphia into the northern suburbs after their children left them "empty nesters." Can't remember their names, but they had a similar model of a 1957 Imperial in what was then called "coral pink." As a 4-year-old, my Mom would go on afternoon walks with me (and by baby sister in a stroller) often to or past that nearby home with the '57 spaceship Chrysler. By the time I was 6, I often went to visit those neighbors on my own and they allowed me to sit in their car while it was being hand washed and Simonized. Those frequent acts of kindness on their part permanently cemented into place my lifelong passion for and multiple purchases of 50's and 60's American cars. How I wish so often that the younger people of today could have access to that affordable and beautiful means of independence in personal transportation!

Jay being by himself with a tripod is pretty cool, wouldn’t mind seeing more episodes like this.

These lockdown videos have such a great wholesomeness to them, like he's everyones replacement grandpa during this time.

Couldn’t agree with you more Jay. Big ole cars just put a smile on your face! Thanks for all you do. You always make me smile

I am 74 years old and I also love those large land Yachts. There is nothing as comfortable on the road. I wish they still made them today.

This is exactly what we want. A personal description of the car with explanation of the styling, features, engineering and a road test.

In 1963, when I was in first grade, I had a friend who invited me over to his house after school one day. His mother picked us up in this exactly similar car. I remember riding in the front seat and seeing the rear view mirror on the dash. She was a smoking Cruella DeVille character and this car fit her to a T. I had never been in a Imperial, Chrysler or Ford, for that matter. Because my Dad owned the local Chevrolet dealership. It was a boat. Thanks for the ride down memory lane. I love your videos Jay! Keep preserving rolling history and sharing it with us!

That was a perfect analogy. I literally LOL’d. My dad was a lifelong curber. He and my mother moved to the Okanagan Valley in BC. But he started fixing up and selling cars in his teens in London. Started with pedal bikes, then Vespas, then cars. He was incurable, but unfortunately so was his cancer. He was on his back under a Spitfire or an old Jag or an old MG well into his chemo. We worried, but thought…well, you know what we thought. Let him do what he loves. People often struggle to find common ground with their post-war dads. But every single time I watch JLG I think of how we could’ve passed the time watching it together, but it was after his time. I also think about the wealth of intricate knowledge that went to the grave with him after fixing old English cars for 60 years. He was a Fire Dept. captain by trade, but on his days off he never left his garage. I guess that’s why I watch Jay Leno’s Garage and miss my dad. Good job Jay.

Being raised on the Southwest side of Detroit in the 50s and 60s, there were auto plants everywhere. The DeSoto assembly plant was across the street from our home, the Ford rouge complex was 2 miles away, the Lincoln plant was about 1 1/4 miles east, Cadillac's assembly plant about 3 miles east and the Imperial assembly plant was 3 blocks away. We saw a lot of new cars, mules and prototypes out on our streets for test runs and analysis. Jay is correct, the luxury cars back in the late 50s were incredibly huge. But the king of behemoths were the Caddy Fleetwood Limos which my uncle prepped for delivery at the Clark Avenue plant. Great memories. Thanks, Jay.

I doubt Mr. Jay reads the comments but ,his collection aside, he is just a straight up hell of a nice guy.His collection is just a bonus.

Jay's Mom and Dad are looking down, smile and say" that is how we brought him up"

I like the way Jay keeps his window down, and talks to other drivers at traffic stops. It ticks me off, at the age of 80, when I run into famous people, and just want to thank them for what they have given me, over the years...and you just get a " leave me alone " look. Just a " thank you " means much.

Such an incredibly unique part of American heritage! The detailed interior made you feel special along with looking special while driving this car. These cars tell a story of where Americans were in that point in time in history. You look at the car and you see who the people really were. Most importantly The car shows us who Americans aspired to be! Priceless. Thank you Jay for working through such difficult times and still bringing the fans great content! It means so much to all of us!

Always love Jay's videos! I'm 74 and I lost my doggie and very best friend due to medical issues several weeks ago. Being single, and having this occur in the midst of this pandemic has made her sad passing doubly difficult for me. So I've been watching a lot of RU-vid to try and help take my mind off of my loss. Jay's mellow, soothing style of speaking and presentation, as well as his interesting information provided in these 'pandemic editions' has really been an excellent diversion, even if only for short periods. My thanks to Mr. Leno for taking the time to do these for us! Please continue! Thank you sir!

Hey Jay! Don't apologize for the quality of the video -- it's great and you're kind to keep things going and share these with us. We appreciate it!

When I was a kid we lived near a junk yard that had 2 Crown Imperials, in Tri-Tone/Gold Script parked near the back gate. I was so fascinated by them I would jump the fence just to sit in them. When we drove past the row of abandoned Packard's that lined the street on the way to school, I got a high from the smell of rust, oil, and dry rotting tires that permeated the place. Of course, everybody else saw an eyesore, but I saw a wonderland.....even now I sometimes dream about those forlorn Cormorants shrouded in the mist, with their promise of Ultramatic Flight.

I'm with you. I love big older luxury cars. They had style and class that you don't see anymore. Thank you for sharing all these beautiful cars with us.

This format harks back to when Jay started doing these videos , a little less hurried and a great honesty about the collection please Jay this is an unplugged by you requesting every so often to keep it up please

This whole episode was true gold for a car guy. Jay's the king.

Jay, I'm 72 yrs. old and am quite taken by the 57 Imperial and was never able to see the interior of one until this video! What a beautiful Car! Thank you!

Hi Jay, LOVE your videos. This one is especially good. Great camera work too. What memories this brought back for me. My Dad had a 1958 Imperial two door. I loved riding in that car ! I mean automobile. I sat on his knee and "drove" it too ! We would drive to Florida every summer. Home was in Tennessee. With no interstates, the drive was lots of two lane roads. The back seat of the Imperial was a marvelous place for 2 kids. The trip never seemed too long. Those were the days !! THANKS Jay !

Thank you for supporting your employees and keeping them safe!!!!!

'57 was a great year for Chrysler styling. They really were ahead of the others. And that Imperial is superb!

I understand what you’re saying about those big cars. Most everybody liked the smaller ones of the 50s and 60s, but I’ve always been in love with the big majestic boats of the 50’d and 60’s ever since I could walk. Strangely enough, I even started my own hubcap collection at around the age of three or four back in the mid-1970s. I’m glad that these majestic behemoths are growing on you, Jay and I love what you do here.. I didn’t realize that you were from the Westchester County region until I just watched this episode. I’m half Italian and I was born in White Plains in 1971. Being Italian from the northeast, certainly explains your awesome personality and righteous sense of humor. I’ve been a viewer for a while now, and I’m looking forward to many more episodes. Peace and love to you and yours. ..

Absolutely beautiful car. So unique and so amazing that they were able to create this in 1963!

Jay, I enjoy these video more than the tonight show, that you did. I sometime shed a tear or two, It makes me the think of times gone bye, Mom, Dad and family of mine in a much more innocent time. Thanks for the memories . You're the greatest.

Absolutely a work of automotive art. Flat out one of the classiest cars ever made

My Dad bought a 57 Chrysler Imperial LaBaron, for my Mom, she really loved that car. It was either a dark grey or sliver 4 door and as I remember it, and was the most wonderful highway driving car of its time. My Dad was driving a Jaguar XK120 or a XK140, 2 seat convertible at the same time. He was a real car nut. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your shows on the Utube, thanks

I learned to drive in a 1963 gold colored Chrysler Imperial. Beautiful car, so smooth. I loved the push button shifting. When I was younger we had a green Imperial, not sure of the year. I still have photos of both. Miss that golden chariot :)

This reminds me of the Tonight Show strike when Jay did everything himself and kept the show going like it was business as usual. Big respect for a guy who can still do that in his 70's.

This is the car my parents had, in black! We called it the “Bat Mobile” when we talk about it now. My mother drove 100mph pass the N.Y. State Police barracks and didn’t even know it!!

Talking about baby Jay coming home... My daughter came home in a Hemi Dodge Daytona Charger with the long nose and big back wing. Awwww....those were the days!! ♡♡♡

Jay is really something else. Ive said this in other videos but its worth repeating how hes curator of one of the most diverse car collections. Hes preserving history thats meant to be driven as they should be and not trapped eternally behind a velvet rope. The clip of him in the trunk was a great giggle lol 15:58

Jay in the trunk! That makes it one of the best episodes. I also cracked when he shut the hood and screamed.

I'm two years younger than Jay, growing up in Amarillo,Texas. I well remember my family's 1958 Plymouth station wagon. It was white over red, the same paint scheme as the movie car 'Christine'. Fins, push button transmission with 318 cubic inch V8. We went to Disneyland on Route 66. I still remember that trip when I was 6 years old. Next new car was a 1966 Plymouth Fury II with a 383 V8 and 4 barrel carburetor. That is the car I learned to drive in when I was 15. Good times! Thank you Jay for taking me down memory lane! Y'all stay safe....

Yes, these cars were enormous. They were also referred to as "land yachts". And, they really were beautiful with innovative design extras, inside and out. Lucky Jay.

Jay, I was born in 57 and remember from about 1963 an uncle who was a professor who had an Imperial. Such a beautiful car. Great video!

Could you please, please, please do a talk about the Citroen SM that's in the back? Please?

"I was stuck at the children's table after that" .... that was me ... Priceless!

Being a old gearhead I fully appreciate your collection and ability to preserve these fine automobiles. Having had a towing buisness (Rawhide towing) with motto of, We won't steer ya wrong, I've had my share of the real quality built in vehicles. Unfortunately wasn't able to hold to on some of the real very valuable ones. Had yellow 69 Camaro SS, built 350, 4:11 posi, 4spd muncie, Hurst linkage. 68 Impala SS 396 built, 400 turbo trans, Chrome sidepipes, 4:11, etc. Just a couple cream puffs I regret not keeping. But TY for your sharing but I must say your blessed my friend.

LMAO, I love him doing the sleeping shot in the trunk. The Mario story too. He’s got so many great stories. I’d love to just hear those.

The 50's were the best when we were kids. Being after WWII everyone was doing great, Car styling was coming into its own. Early rock & roll was starting and there wasn't a worry in the world.

With everyone locked down, there is finally room on the road for that car. Great car Jay. Thanks for sharing. Happy motoring.

Man I love the big luxury cars from the late 50’s and early 60’s. Jay thanks for your work ethic. Love it

What I call a "Dad Car", my father drove Imperials and Lincolns. This car makes people smile because of its appeal and charm.