Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Jay Leno shares the incredible story behind his 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix, a vehicle that represents the "Golden Era" of Pontiac performance under John DeLorean. This isn’t just a restoration project; it’s a tribute to its previous owner, James Taylor—a retired Navy attack pilot who credited this very car with saving his son’s life decades ago.
After James realized the project was becoming overwhelming, he gifted the car to Jay to ensure it was "done right". Jay took this "good old girl" and performed a sympathetic restoration, returning it to its original color while adding a few modern touches for reliability and comfort on today's roads.In this episode, Jay discusses:
The Acquisition: How a simple phone call about 14-inch wheels led to a lifelong friendship with a Navy veteran.
Life-Saving History: The dramatic story of James Taylor driving this car at 120 mph to get his son to the hospital just in time.
The DeLorean Influence: How John DeLorean transformed Pontiac from a "salesman’s car" into the performance arm of GM with the "Wide Track" and the GTO.Mechanical
Updates: Why Jay swapped the stock 389 for a more modern 400 GM V8 and added Vintage Air AC to handle the California heat.
The "Boulevard Ride": Experience the panoramic views and thin A-pillars of 1960s full-size luxury as Jay takes the Grand Prix out for a cruise.Jay also plans to bring James Taylor, now 88, down to the shop to get back behind the wheel of his beloved Pontiac.
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 #DeLorean #MuscleCar #Restoration #1965Pontiac #NavyVeteran #WideTrack #JayLeno
Jay Leno shares the incredible story behind his 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix, a vehicle that represents the "Golden Era" of Pontiac performance under John DeLorean. This isn’t just a restoration project; it’s a tribute to its previous owner, James Taylor—a retired Navy attack pilot who credited this very car with saving his son’s life decades ago.
After James realized the project was becoming overwhelming, he gifted the car to Jay to ensure it was "done right". Jay took this "good old girl" and performed a sympathetic restoration, returning it to its original color while adding a few modern touches for reliability and comfort on today's roads.In this episode, Jay discusses:
The Acquisition: How a simple phone call about 14-inch wheels led to a lifelong friendship with a Navy veteran.
Life-Saving History: The dramatic story of James Taylor driving this car at 120 mph to get his son to the hospital just in time.
The DeLorean Influence: How John DeLorean transformed Pontiac from a "salesman’s car" into the performance arm of GM with the "Wide Track" and the GTO.Mechanical
Updates: Why Jay swapped the stock 389 for a more modern 400 GM V8 and added Vintage Air AC to handle the California heat.
The "Boulevard Ride": Experience the panoramic views and thin A-pillars of 1960s full-size luxury as Jay takes the Grand Prix out for a cruise.Jay also plans to bring James Taylor, now 88, down to the shop to get back behind the wheel of his beloved Pontiac.
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 #DeLorean #MuscleCar #Restoration #1965Pontiac #NavyVeteran #WideTrack #JayLeno
