Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Jay Leno gets behind the wheel of a truly rare "unicorn"—a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ with a 4-speed manual transmission. This "banker's hot rod" combines the comfort and luxury of a big car with the performance of a muscle car. The SJ designation is a nod to the Duesenberg supercharged J model, the most powerful American car of the 1930s.
Jay is joined by the owner, Scott Mancini, who brought the car all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio. Scott shares the incredible story of how he found the car, which had been parked on jack stands in its original owner's garage for 27 years with only 13,000 miles on the odometer. It was the rare 4-speed transmission that sealed the deal for him.
With only 302 of these cars ever made with this engine and transmission package, this is a rare treat. Jay and Scott discuss the car's original components, from its 428-cubic-inch engine rated at 370 horsepower to its factory vinyl roof and Mag Look wheels. Jay praises the car's "talking motor" and low-end torque, and muses on the idea of driving it more often to keep it running smoothly.
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ABOUT JAY LENO'S GARAGE
A new video every Monday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.
#JayLenosGarage #PontiacGrandPrix #ClassicCars #MuscleCar #BankersHotRod #RareCars #Pontiac #GrandPrixSJ #ManualTransmission #1969GrandPrix
Jay Leno gets behind the wheel of a truly rare "unicorn"—a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ with a 4-speed manual transmission. This "banker's hot rod" combines the comfort and luxury of a big car with the performance of a muscle car. The SJ designation is a nod to the Duesenberg supercharged J model, the most powerful American car of the 1930s.
Jay is joined by the owner, Scott Mancini, who brought the car all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio. Scott shares the incredible story of how he found the car, which had been parked on jack stands in its original owner's garage for 27 years with only 13,000 miles on the odometer. It was the rare 4-speed transmission that sealed the deal for him.
With only 302 of these cars ever made with this engine and transmission package, this is a rare treat. Jay and Scott discuss the car's original components, from its 428-cubic-inch engine rated at 370 horsepower to its factory vinyl roof and Mag Look wheels. Jay praises the car's "talking motor" and low-end torque, and muses on the idea of driving it more often to keep it running smoothly.
Shop car care and detailing supplies from Jay Leno’s Garage: lenosgarage.com/shine
» Subscribe: bit.ly/JLGSubscribe
THE BEST OF JAY LENO'S GARAGE
» Exclusive First Looks: bit.ly/JLGExclusives
» Ultra Rare Supercars: bit.ly/JLGSupercars
» Jay's Book Club: bit.ly/JLGBookClub
JAY LENO'S GARAGE ON SOCIAL
Facebook: facebook.com/JayLenosGarage
Twitter: twitter.com/LenosGarage
Instagram: instagram.com/jaylenosgarage
TikTok: tiktok.com/@jaylenosgarageofficial
ABOUT JAY LENO'S GARAGE
A new video every Monday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.
#JayLenosGarage #PontiacGrandPrix #ClassicCars #MuscleCar #BankersHotRod #RareCars #Pontiac #GrandPrixSJ #ManualTransmission #1969GrandPrix
