1961 CHP Dodge Polara - Jay Leno's Garage

It's so good to see Jay in his natural habitat, No one else has the balls, crew, insurance, amazing facility to be able to jump in a car and give it a shake down with nervous restorers riding shotgun. Then on top of that to be true to his homies and share it on youtube for free. Good on you!

Jay is the one celebrity that actually sounds like a legitimate nice guy

A police car with a gangster size trunk. Love it.

The Automotive Club sure did a super outstanding job restoring the 1961 Dodge Polara.

CHP's requirement of 100 mph for 1 hour in 100 degree weather - that's impressive!

Despite what most people probably think about this car, I think it's pretty awesome looking! The style of the time was really cool, and this thing is just a beast for it's day! I love seeing stuff like this on Jay's show - thanks, Jay!

IMO the secong guest, the guy who did the resto is one of the most knowledgeable and well-spoken guests Jay's ever had.

I thought that car style was close to double-ugly where it came out. Now I think it's BEAUTIFUL ... especially the rear low-sweeping sculptured tail fins assemblies with jet-barrel rear lights. Thanks J.L.

The second guy really knows his stuff.

One of the best reviews ever. I love how Jay goes onto the onramp, and says "These things were meant for the American highway" and then floors it. That motor sounds sweet. A real V8. Thanks again Jay, we love you mate :) Tom from Oz.

My mother was a CHP Matron back in the 1970's when I was in high school.  I knew all the local CHP officers and was totally into cars like most teen guys in those days.  I had a couple of 1969 Plymouth Roadrunners with 383 "Magnum" engines and the CHP were using the Polaras with the 440's.  I've been in various Law Enforcement jobs since 1979 and in the Academy in central California we used the old Dodge Coronets with the big block Mopar engines.  This is a great piece of history to me.  Who would have thought an old 1961 Dodge would be so cool?

I love how Jay asks "Can we take this thing for a ride?", as if the owner might say no. Awesome!

The 413 cam comment brought back memories. In 1980 I worked after high school cleaning up the shop at the local Dodge dealership in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The RCMP had their own garage, but we worked on a lot of their cars too. One day the RCMP garage called asking what was the maximum cam lift that a 440 could take. I imagine that a modified 440 must have surprised a few speeders!

They should have gone to a CHP station and shown the current officers what their fathers and grandfathers had to drive in. Congrats to the Automobile Club of Southern California for a beautiful restoration and not having problems on the first run. Thanks for the video Jay.

churches, priests make us sad, but you Mr. Jay Leno makes our Soul smile, Thank you.

Jay absolutely cracks me up. The restorer of the car G this is the first time it's actually been on the freeway as Jay repeatedly floors it kicking it down. Chase response will it seems right at home here. Give it to it Jay give it to it

I don't think the car is ugly at all! It's beautiful in my eyes. But that's just me, different strokes for different folks.

the guy who restored the car seemed very knowledgeable and wasn't full of himself. cool dude, cool car.

"It seems happy in its natural habitat!" Hilarious.

I absolutely love this type of historical stuff. Fascinating.