1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2 - Jay Leno's Garage

1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2. When Jay was lucky enough to acquire what he calls "one of the most beautiful driving cars of all time," he tracked down its former owner and restorer John Willhoit, who revisits the car for the first time since 1977.
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1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2 - Jay Leno's Garage
• 1963 Porsche 356 Carre...
Jay Leno's Garage
/ jaylenosgarage

[@charlesearle8414]

I think the 356 is one of the most beautiful cars made. It's simple, and it's happy.

[@richardtsan3792]

So true!

[@philfreer1629]

Loved my Dad's '58 1600 Normal, even with its rusted body as he bought it used in '62. Fun car made my Dad young again.

[@jamesdunn9714]

The 356 is not happy as it's a car, but it sure makes me feel happy with its flowing lines and wonderful engine noises.

[@knut-hinrichqwalter2463]

It's so simple built US Americans could not do better after WW 2 !

[@stephenarling1667]

@@knut-hinrichqwalter2463 Superb design, superb craftsmanship, and wonderful to drive. They all smoked a bit though. I remember wiping the smudge off the rear bumper overriders, where the pipes ended, every week or so.

[@jmattbassplaya90]

It's beyond awesome that Jay brought the old owner in and allowed him to drive it, on his show, to revisit his youth. Great show, great car!

[@VictoriaAlfredSmythe]

beautiful

[@askegg]

John really knows his stuff. Absolute pleasure to listen to someone with this level of knowledge. Beautiful car.

[@dustyrusty7956]

Jay is such a class act, letting the builder drive - and not himself. I am no Porsche aficionado, but this was a really interesting video.

Jay can drive it any time he likes, he owns it.

[@nickv5576]

Dusty Rusty it’s his car. Usually he’s the one driving the car unless it’s one of his own

[@SerPurple51]

It sounds like Jay was a little under the weather. Maybe he was on cold medicine and didn't feel up to driving too.

[@antipodesman]

John Willhoit is a class act too. I like that he speaks to the camera like a pro presenter.

[@bitjockey6265]

First class!

[@estheticsdenturestudioinc.291]

Thanks for being the car guy you are and preserving and protecting these gems. Favourite channel Jay!

[@hcgarcia]

I never get tired of watching this channel, it's auto-class in it's purest form. And the characters Jay brings to the garage are just down to earth great people. Thanks!

[@oscarpark1523]

This show has so much class. No shows ever bother with so much technical data. Thank you so much. This should be Jay's full time job. Brilliant.

[@Gims110]

What a specimen! I find myself watching these videos over and over. This is an amazing car. I don't know a lot about these as they are still out of my price range but I can see the beauty and the allure of the 911's. I fell in love with these in the mid 80's with the Turbo (whale tail) models. They always looked like a slot car on the street! I always look forward to the part where Jay says..."I think it time to take it for a ride"

[@007fredh]

This is a Porsche 356 not a 911.🙄

[@hussseinsheik8873]

Gain car from detective Conan finally we found it 👨🏼‍✈️

[@joudsiline9965]

Oh yaaa finally luv ittt

[@Akai_Shuichi]

W COMMENT

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

Are all of you drunk?

[@stevedwong1346]

Even sounding like Ol'J is on his deathbed....He man's up and films a Truly Porsche Classic video. Excellent.

[@timschutte8310]

, an absolute jem of a car. one of my favorite cars and models of all time. in my top ten list

[@ManWithNoName.]

Such a sexy car. I appreciate jay making these videos even while being sick.

[@marcphillips4593]

I drove one of these in college and loved it. I always thought of it as a souped up vw. Little did I know what I had. Paid 1000 for it in 1966.

[@citronr1]

GREAT!!!!!!. I owned a bright red 63 Carrera 2 GS when I lived in the USA (Florida) in the middle 70s. It was, indeed, the best 356 EVER ... and I had previously owned a bunch of 356s inlcuding a '59 Carrera 1600 Speedster and a 904 GTS which had a slightly hotter version of the same engine (160 vs. 130 hp). The Carrara 2 was a JOY ... a real JOY to drive and to own. Had a bunch of 911s too and the only one that came close to this much fun was my 73 Carrera 2.7 Lightweight. I'd still give the edge to the Carrera 2 though. Just looking at the photos I still have of it makes me smile.

[@ElusiveMasquerade]

This is by far my favourite car you have shown us Jay. For me, looking at this car is like looking at a fine watch made a long long time ago. This is a very special car and thank you for showing it.

[@peterkoning21]

Thanks for keeping all these lovely cars going

[@27Ctrojans]

What a car! Thanks for bringing it to us. Just amazing how simple and how beautiful the design is

[@RockstarBruski]

Beautiful 356. So cool that John got to drive it again after all those years!

[@frankly5171]

Jay is a true enthusiast with great taste.

[@aserta]

I think this is an amazing story. It's that feeling when you do something, put it aside forget about it and then later find it and it's such a nice feeling. I'm 25 and you can imagine the distance between made/lost found is quite small but for him to find it after all this time in one piece. Must feel amazing.

[@mattpenner420]

Beautiful car Jay. That was nice of you to let John drive it again after 40 years. Bring back some good memories.

[@PoorBoyUniversity]

This is just too cool. A great car, and so neat having John drive it in the video.

[@tootruesheep872]

2 sick things in the same picture Jay and the Porsche

[@ColemanReese]

What a really great video. I love Jay Leno full stop... but this was an absolutely cracking watch. That Porsche is just awesome.... and what a fantastic find to actually use the guy that restored it. Priceless tbh x

[@Dodek72]

Thanks Jay and crew for an awesome video.

[@aquateen77723]

What an incredibly gorgeous car this is. John is a real genius and all-around cool guy. He really does beautiful work.

[@rpiereck74]

Beautiful car. Congrats Jay.

[@peterlewis3540]

I thought Jay didn't sound his usual chirpy best. These early Porche are built like tanks, impeccable build quality and virtually bullet proof mechanicals. It would have looked nicer in Porche silver but being such a rare original car, Black will have to do. Jay may be incredibly wealthy, but he is gracious enough to share his passion for cars with us all, and giving previous owners the joy of rekindling fond memories of cars once in their ownership. Above all, he is not afraid to drive insanely expensive an exotic machinery on the freeway.

[@Valle4696]

It's PorSSSSSche... ;)

[@libertarianation1]

Peter Lewis Hey Peter, are these cars relatively reliable for performance vehicles? I want to buy something reliable. Hard to find reliability in a luxury or performance car. I want something fancy, but only because I am in the financial business and want to at least look successful. Other wise I would be happy with my Honda. Jay does sound a little sick. I'm glad he didn't cancel the appearance.

[@therpope]

+Peter Lewis it's a VW engine, so all credits go to Volkswagen ;)

[@bennyhannover9361]

+retro666future For this 356 you can surely say, only the idea is left from the volkswagen. Carrera Engine is called the " Fuhrmann Motor" because the first engine was contructed from Professor Ernst Fuhrmann in 1955 for the Carrera 1500 with 100 DIN net HP and 190 km/h an 12 sec to 100 km/h a very special performance for 1500 cc Engine. The valve steering is managed via " Königswellen" ( does the word kingcam exist, i dont know) 4 cylinders have 4 cams so 2 valves are driven via 1 cam. 2 cams for inlet and 2 for outlet. This you wont find in any factory beetle flat four. The racing versions of these engine could rev beyond 6500/6800 also not volkswagen - like. The 356 B Series produced from September '59 to March '63 saw only 350 Carreras produced , 40 were 1600 GS Carrera (115 net HP) produced in 1960/61 and 310 were 2000 GS Carrera 2 (2000 cc/ 130net HP) between September '61 and March '63. The price in Germany was DEM 23.700,00 in 1962! The normal 1600 (75 net HP) was for Sale at DEM 14.300,00. So thats about USD 5.500,00 to 3000 at that time.

[@gmansplit]

They really aren't that expensive, so it isn't an insanely expensive exotic www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/660879740/overview/

[@aimhighish]

Jay - thanks for supporting the boutique craftsmen that keep this hobby alive! That'll be your legacy.

[@AndrewMiguelez]

The horn during the closing sequence is so much louder than the rest of the episode. Every time it plays, I jump out of my seat.

[@michaelpinto5448]

With Jay sounding as sick as he is & to go ahead and teach us about his Porsche, mad kudos for him. JayLeno for President!

[@PrivateMJCaboose]

Brilliant web series... I knew Jay was a car guy, but never realized what a genuine enthusiast he is.

[@timschutte8310]

, this car and the Jaguar E-Type Jen one is my two favorite cars of all time. these cars of this era cannot ever be done again. it's a shame that nobody on the planet builds cars of this vintage era like this with NO computers.

[@RB747domme]

Tim Schutte well, no one builds cars of that vintage era AT ALL - either with *_or_* without computers. Because the only way you can build a car of that vintage era, would be.. to get in a time machine and go back to that vintage era. But I guess I know what you meant. Lol.

[@RuelSpot1]

Thanks Jay for such nice video about the 1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2.

[@johanevander]

Great episode Jay. Beautiful car, and such a nice gesture to let him drive and talk about it. Good stuff!

[@phadodasdoktrin5559]

My aunt got a 1963 356 C. It is sitting in the garage for 15 years now. It's sad to see it not being loved.

[@stephenarling1667]

If it was properly stored, its value will grow.

[@dannyfontanez5887]

congratulations on your new show, and thank you for showing such a great show. The fact that you brought back the original personal restored such a wonderful vehicle is great. I also love the fact that the Porsche hold together and created a Time Machine affect for the restorer. The look on his face was priceless's. These are the kinds of stories that make viewing your show so enjoyable.

[@craigconroy3785]

awesome, I can't believe the last comment on this was 5 years ago ! I'm just researching the 4 cam engine on these 356"s, what a car & what an engine !

[@007fredh]

The Porsche 356 coupe is in my top three cars I want before I die absolutely gorgeous!

[@thhall459]

Thank you again, Mr. Leno!

[@ChauncetonBird]

Jay Leno is so great. Thank goodness for him.

[@iaidagger8278]

This is a beautyful car, in my opinion it is the most handsome of the Porsches , Porsche 356 Carrera 2!!!!!...Thanks for sharing!!, great video Jay!!!!

[@casperswift]

Beautiful car I love 356s I think they're amazingly beautiful vehicles

[@digigarb]

What a beautiful car and story. Thanks for sharing!

[@ruwithlee1970]

I hope you feel better soon, Jay ! I love this show !

[@userunavailable3095]

That about gave me heart failure. I've been watching too many videos today of people finding their dad's first car. We had one of these in the seventies, and it was sold in 1975 to a restorer, mostly because my parents were divorcing and I had outgrown the itty bitty back seats. Unfortunately, the details probably don't match up. Ours was supposedly a 1960, although my stepfather sometimes got the years of his cars wrong. The restorer was in Harrisburg, Pa. The car had been a rally car, and was rather beat up. It was not on its first engine. It might not have even been on its third or fourth, as I recall. It had twin tanks for rally racing, and my stepfather was forever forgetting to fill the second tank, until he was out of gas in the first and he'd switch and it was empty. That led to siphoning gas by the side of the road from a stranger's tank, and a styrofoam cup dissolving into the gas tank, which plagued it for the rest of the time we had it. Great memories though. I learned to shift gears in that car, sitting on a blanket between the seats in those pre seat belt, pre car seat days.

[@joeliao5574]

Great video Jay. Classic Porsche.

[@ceejay960]

Jay's a trooper! Even though he was sick he still took the time to film an episode for us. Actually it was kind of a nice change of pace having him more laid back and letting his friend do most of the talking. I enjoyed this episode.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Now I get it...Jay looked old here...but he was just rather ill...Nowadays, Jay looks his age--but that is how it goes, for all of us!.

[@kylestewart4444]

Absolute dream car.

[@Rayshader]

Truly beautiful!

[@kurtbarrett6785]

I'm by no means a Porche guy, but I have to say, what a beautiful car! I had no idea they made a higher end model like this and I really enjoyed the lil history lesson on it. The best part of it by far though, is Jay letting John drive the car again after all those years... Very cool! Gotta love Jay!

[@markwison4286]

BEAUTIFUL example J. My favorite Porsche. Haven't seen one drive before. Thanks for sharing it, especially while you're under the weather!

[@txturbo930]

Gorgeous Car! Thanks for sharing.

[@EricMewhort]

Such a beautiful car.

[@incognito8219]

Looks a little greenish in the sun, amazing car!

[@porsche911sbs]

The little silver hatchback in the background is a 1989 Ford Shogun, if anyone was wondering. Crazy car, its tiny but its got the 220 hp, 3.0L V6 from the Taurus SHO.

[@willythewave]

As a matter of fact I did wonder, I was thinking it might be a modified Horizon GLH. Thanks for the info.

[@MsLilyhorse]

willythewave Check out "My Classic Car" with Dennis Gage. He does an episode with Jay and that car. It is a sleeper.

[@4esttube]

Been watching Jay Leno's Garage for a while, and this is the first time I'm actually jealous.

[@alexandrerech6774]

Just awesome!

[@cloudsplitter24]

Hope you feel better Jay. Thank you. Your show has become one of my favorite web based shows.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Jay is so dedicated!...He looked rough, obviously sick...but still went the extra mile, for his viewers!...What a dude!

[@rubb3rduck]

I can't wipe this silly smile on my face just listening to that engine. Wow!

[@SUPERJKJEEP]

Thanks Jay, Nice interview !

[@kingbucky6]

That car has a timeless beauty it's hard to describe. The simplicity of the car is what makes it beautiful.

[@stephenarling1667]

Simplicity, craftsmanship, perfect function-over-form aesthetic; this level of design is rare now, sad to say.

[@MrGallade475]

The sad thing is that the last time a video game had this car, was 14 years ago in NFS Porsche unleashed. *sigh*

[@Orcawhale1]

Which was because the Porsche license was brought by EA, back in 2000. Hence why we got Ruf in other games. That deal was over in 2016, however, so we gotten to see Porsche in Forza 7 and Horizon.

[@aadhithanu9070]

My favourite vide game

[@bbbmmmwwwxxx555]

i remember i used to drive it thru the mountain roads at NFS, it was so relaxing, such a great memory

[@Ben_not_10]

My goodness I thought. I was the only who had played that so many people have no idea of the game when I talk about it?

[@fordfool420]

What a cool story! Beautiful car and beautiful work This channel just puts out such quality videos Every single one Is exciting Informative and fun to watch Thanks Jay!!

[@sergduchini7299]

Great video. Thank u

[@gmdrummerboy]

I've learned so much by watching Jay's Garage. Lol. It's not just a, "Look at this car, its cool", channel.

[@HereIsScott]

Amazing episode! What a story and history! What a car!

[@Lastmick99]

What a beautiful car. Great to see a previous owner drive it.

[@Memovox]

Yes. One of only 3 in existence, I think. Now in the care of a true car afficionado. Thank´s Jay.

[@christopherpettway]

i realize that this is a later episode but you manage to keep going even if you don't feel the best dedication! !!!!!!

[@dyingangelo]

time machine. these things are amazing gives me goose bumps

[@dannyboy15157]

That's my dream car! Thanks for showing it off Jay.

[@marymarryy]

Did you get it?

[@WElliottSmoothVocalMan1099]

One Of My Dream Cars To Own... Awesome Page Jay!!! So Many Wonderful Cars and Informations Like No Other...

[@jacobwiess3699]

My favorite what a car!! I wish Porsche would go back to this style!!!

[@raudelhernandez4320]

What a cool story and video Jay!

[@dehoyosrudolph8885]

What a nice car, great quality video.Its so cool that the plates stay with a car forever in California .

[@shkeni]

What a beautiful sound that engine has.

[@alanpassat6759]

As a Porsche guy, these are the holy grail. Great video. great car

[@seinsmeld13]

In a word, fabulous.

[@AleksT.RiffZillaInc.]

That engine sound is epic !!!

[@gerryyaum]

Boy it would sure be nice to have just 1 of these beauty cars in my lifetime. Just 1!

[@davidwermuth80]

Thank you so much for sharing. I can only dream...........

[@GRAFHC]

Wow... outstanding car there. Really good job with it. And what a great story!

[@pm2007est]

it looks brand new, the paint and chrome lights are all perfect shiny in the daylight, sounds great

[@SnuggleBear1970]

Thank you Jay for posting this video. What an amazing car! Keep up the good work and keep those videos coming. lml :D

[@krOOLiko]

Jay sounds like he is feeling a bit under the weather.

[@redbxstr]

Your Porsche 356 is absolutely gorgeous. I have a 911SC Targa, but your 356 is the iconic example of a fine German automobile.

[@Sigtyr1]

Jay Leno you are the only celebrity I respect, and you may be my only equal having a heart full of automobile passion, but not so much to be considered "crazy"

[@cbzo6]

Great story and what a time capsule.

[@embe1]

Really enjoyed this video

[@JCW80]

Okay *****, you promised to bring John Willhoit back with more of his cars in the future. It's been almost 2 years. Let's bring him back!! Great video, as always! I love this channel!

[@RB747domme]

JCW80 ..aaand counting.

[@okolemahu]

God! I wish I owned that car! And John is an amazing expert that truly knows his stuff.

[@cheddyrod]

356s are gorgeous and this one is super gorgeous. Thanx Jay and John. :)

[@thomasgranite8433]

Beautiful Porsche

[@Rob901]

Would love to drive one of these cars. Love the shape and it looks good in black

[@markthorne3414]

Nice film,thanks

[@ricksays7133]

One of the things I love about Porsche is their classic car parts program. No other car make can match their program.

[@zioo3117]

This is a beautiful example of the 63 Carrera 2 with a good overall display of engine, interior and driving in Los Angeles area with J. Willhoit doing the honors. This car will require some degree of driving to keep it at its best. I'd like to see this car at next year's Werks Reunion in Monterey. Alex Ford, Simi Valley

[@VegardMinde]

What a couple of cool old dudes!