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But for Leno it was fate - for years he had been pestered by friends, wondering why he didn't have a hot-rod in his collection... but now he did. Grubb took Leno's money and the Tank Car soon become the catalyst for building the ultimate hot-rod. However, its first run turned out to be rather ignominious.

"I took it out on the freeway one day, and people who shall remain nameless used a piece of heater hose as an oil line. Not surprisingly with 90 pounds oil pressure it burst on the freeway. I dumped 17 gallons of oil in 10 seconds," remembers Leno. The incident made the news coast-to-coast. Now guests on Leno's show regularly demand to see the car.

"Whenever I have Arnold Schwarzenegger on the show I always bring it because he calls it 'Ze Terminator Car'... 'Jay, I love zis car, zis is ze car I should be driving.' Because it looks like him from the front, you know," laughs Leno.

It's easy to see what attracts Arnie to the Tank Car. For a start, it's so powerful that, despite being fitted with enormous brakes complete with vacuum boosters, the car will still pull with a foot planted to the floor on the stop pedal.

But the downside to this mountain of torque was that the original frame buckled like a coathanger, so Leno needed to reinforce the frame. A lot. And install a serious air locker rear end costing $4,200. But there's no doubt it's been worth every cent, and with no kids in his household to soak up his disposable income, the Tank Car seems a fun repository for Leno's cash.

For him, the idea of his Tank Car featuring on PlayStation is unreal. But there's another reason behind his keeness to see it taking part in GT4. "At least now, on the days when it's not sunny in LA, I get to drive the Tank Car at home as well as on the street. But the PlayStation guys will have to come back next year and update the Tank Car. The one on the game is the 900hp version. I mean that's quick but it's not 1,600 horse is it? With 1,600 you should be able to light up the rear tyres and really have some fun on the game." And even more fun on the road, eh Jay?

Specification: Jay Leno's Tank Car

Price: N/A
Engine: 29377cc, 1,600bhp @ 2,800rpm 1,600lb ft @ 2,400rpm
Transmission: Allison HD4060 six-speed auto
Performance: 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, quarter mile in 12.9secs, 140+mph top speed, 5mpg