1966 VW Beetle - Jay Leno's Garage

Jay invites Mario Markakis to the garage to check out his 1966 Volkswagen Beetle that's powered by a Wankel engine.
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1966 VW Beetle - Jay Leno's Garage
• 1966 VW Beetle - Jay L...
Jay Leno's Garage
/ jaylenosgarage

[@RomVlad]

These lower budget, home-built car videos are the best!

[@jospi2]

Just like the guy that put a 1000cc motorcyle engine into that small convertible.

[@audiotechlabs4650]

You are sooo right. My brother restores Bugs, in his garage. Great hobby. He goes to meets and has a blast! Thankz

[@AbandonedExplorationUrbex1979]

I agree

[@ChapuleTaylor]

Could your brother restore my computer? It's fulla bugs.

[@bobsmoth7837]

Been out for less than a day and already 85,000 views. Love Jay's garage!! Terrible aerodynamics, I heard that they lift off at 130. You'll never make 150.

[@mindmedic9435]

Thanks, Jay, for presenting a shade tree mechanic with respect. This guy was down-to-earth and modest about having built a giant slayer. You tried pretty hard to get him to brag but he didn't bite. You can tell he respects his competition. Cool guy. Cool car.

[@deerespetes8849]

A family Guy building a fun car on a budget. Enjoyed this video

[@user-bc6jn4tx3t]

I immediately began loving him. I'm not a gay but if I were I'd try make him mine of course. He's super cool and and a guy who makes simplest things gorgeous. Love you buddy.

[@chrisscrivens2449]

Cool comment. I agree, this guy was very down to earth. More like this please.

[@blakeerdmann]

I love how Jay has millions and millions of dollars and can still appreciate a normal diy home built car! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@peanutposse11]

Agreed.

[@7884golfguru]

Love Jay

[@fishhuntadventure]

You say that like home built is a lesser thing. Which ain’t necessarily so.

[@blakeerdmann]

@@fishhuntadventure I'm referring to it as if he never took his car to a million-dollar shop to have any fabrication or work done. I know some people have extensive workshops and their home garage.

[@Lorneland62]

It’s because he’s a real car guy. Anybody whose criteria for a build being “worthy” is money spent is missing what the love of these machines is all about. Imho, if anything the diy build is more impressive then the money is no object one.

[@iamrichrocker]

this Bug owner was a cool, collected, confident guy..not intimidated at all..and no false modesty...just the type of guy i would like to meet at a car rally..good luck to this hard working family man! great episode..

[@guyfecta83]

This is a prime example as to why I love Jay Leno. It can be extremely difficult to present something like this when the person you're interviewing isn't delivering (for whatever reason). Jay is a MASTER at keeping away awkward silence and forcing the conversation to continue flowing.

[@buddypines]

There could also be 2 hours of B reel with just awkward smiles, half sentences, and chuckles

[@guyfecta83]

+Ballibusteros lmao true

[@steelyspielbergo]

it's as if he was the host the #1 late night show in the US for about 20 years

[@jbuckley2546]

I didn't think the bug owner was too awkward or nervous. Much less than i would prob be. But you're right, Leno's a pro. I sometimes think he gets a bit exasperated with these big, slick corporate geezers he has on. But he started out messing with his own cars and i think he really liked this family man (dude, in my book) as do i.

[@sclogse1]

I thought Jay wasn't too excited over the Airstream Trailer. Pretty sterile inside that thing.

[@johnstewart6920]

He’s an x-ray tech-Jay’s joke “You must know this car inside and out” didn’t get a blink😉

[@dustintravis8791]

hahaha I know right? I thought that was funny in and of itself, that he didn't even laugh at that joke. Interesting fella!

[@hackneo64]

I love how naturally destressed the car looks. not showroom finish but not beater looking either. just perfect.

[@harris8390]

I like his color choice for sure.

[@TheGuerillapatriot]

Try paint from Home Depot, it was rolled on Rustoleaum if I remember right. I see Mario and his brother Marco in the San Fernando Valley all the time.

[@TurboWarioTV]

+TheGuerillapatriot spray cans lots of prep work

[@TheGuerillapatriot]

Turbo Wario Right!

[@ipissed]

I doubt he would want a 2 year paint job after all that work. More likely a modern urethane with a little flattener.

[@Warren_L.]

This might be my favorite Jay's Garage of all -- what an impressive accomplishment for an (advanced) amateur in his garage at night. And he let's his wife drive it! I have a lot of respect for Mario.

[@MAKEitMIKUS]

"I should top out at 150 mph if I don't take flight..." hahah that had me rolling

[@elyodniwri9915]

Jay I love your show, but when you take the time to showcase guys like Mario it makes me like you even more!!! Thanks for staying accessible to all the regular guys!

[@fishhuntadventure]

Accessible is great, yes. Real is even better. This was a great episode

[@pmrize]

Mario is to cool for words... Great bug, and such a humble laid back guy....

[@LEBMCM]

I really like the slightly lower budget stuff you've been doing recently Jay

[@cartmanrlsusall]

yup he is doing more real-life stuff,not those hand-built super muscle, or super picky restoration cars

[@linglingjr]

+cartmanrlsusall These kind of things are always more fun than "professionally built" restorations with crate motors that cost more than this entire car.

[@matgee8892]

I will second that. Home built stuff as this guy puts it "after the kids have gone to bed" always have so much character. I really enjoy seeing peoples garage builds.

[@therealboofighter]

This is good, I like a mix of the high end and the low buck stuff.

[@ncmartinez_his]

I have to agree, but the comment Jay made about young guys not being into cars is a sign of being out of touch with the modding community. He should check Mighty Car Mods.

[@monsteryes]

Sweet ride and a humble guy who got it done! Seems like a pretty down to earth guy who just likes to have fun, we need more of that in the world

[@alchemistoxford]

Very impressive engineering - reminds me of the motorcycle-engined Honda S600. These guys do know a thing or two, and they build terrific, fast fun-cars. Respect.

[@ifnotnowwhen6914]

Agreed. Superfastmatt (the guy with the S600 Honda has a KZbin channel that I looked up after seeing him with Jay. Glad I did. He's a refreshing combination of budget, money in the right places, and thinking outside the box to build something HE enjoys, not just unlimited budget built for the most views.

[@murwaz]

This thing makes me think of a story I was told as a kid in the late 90's about a guy here in Sweden that had a VW bug that looked harmless and blew the doors and pegs off both cars and bikes, I've tried to digg up info on that thing but not found anything, seem the guy and the car came and went and most likely never showed up in magazines or anything... I think this was around Stockholm. Love these bugs, these and any 911 really speaks to me and always has! :) Awesome build!

[@toobalicious]

The past couple episodes of JLG have been absolutely fantastic. Love the "Maker" cars - guys who have literally done it themselves. Thanks Jay!

[@kenj7153]

giving credit to the little guy!...Great car! and an owner thinking outside the box! Love the fact that the owner is still willing to enjoy his hobby while still raising and providing for a family. God bless his wife for allowing it as well. I have met so many guys that after marrage their life is tottaly centered on the family and secondly his wife will not allow the extra activity that may have attracted her to him in the first place!

[@davidmcclelland8090]

Jay was more foot happy here than I've ever seen. He was having a lot of fun.

[@travelwithsmiley]

So glad you are back on television. Yours was the last late night ☺️ show that we watched. You and Johnny Carson were the best.

[@davidevans1128]

BRAVO! In a city overflowing with attitude & inflated egos...this AWESOME lil 66' scores for "the working guy"! Just great nothing better than a sleeper that people "judge you" for driving. I once had a Mazda pickup w a 383 stroker conversion & Jay actually pulled up alongside me smiled ! and said. Oh thats no Japanese motor is it? I asked him if he was driving a Dusenburg..he looked pleasantly surprized that a 30 year old knew what car he was driving..just good ol fashioned mutal respect , way to go guys! Cars can save America!

[@gollypo448]

That's cool, all about the mechanical, less about the cosmetic. The antithesis of a trailer queen! Perfect stance for a beetle too, not too low, but lower.

[@VerboseSlayer]

This is like what hotwheels would design back in the 70's and 80's.

[@Beer_Dad1975]

The vast majority (something like 80%) of Jews in Germany when Hitler came to power were born in Germany, the rest were mostly Polish - a combined total of around half a million - by the start of the war there were less than 200,000, the rest having emigrated to avoid persecution - most of the remaining population, German and Polish alike were then killed in ghettos & concentration camps. Some "special" Jews (generally those with contacts or special skills) were allowed a higher standard of living, but in the end most of them were murdered too. If you were married to a non-jew, or could show you had mixed ancestry, you may have been spared. It is estimated that only 20,000-40,000 Jewish Nationals who remained in Germany after 1943 survived. Hitler most definitely did not discriminate between German National Jews and immigrant Jews, he hated them both equally. I guess your neighbor either got lucky or had more to his story.

[@hayksamvelyan]

+Walter K Bauer what the f***?! How do you come up with something like that for a video of a VW Beetle?

[@brickman409]

I like how Jay side-tracked for a bit and started talking about In-n-out lol

[@lowellmccormick6991]

I like how the paint and finish is rough enough to be a good disguise. This is a great sleeper car.

[@kemperspace]

My favorite JLG video yet! Mario is so humble and likeable! Love the Jay-in-the-real-world feel of this episode.

[@bluepvp900]

Jay: 'X-Ray technician huh, you must know this car inside and out!' Big thumbs up for that, and all the other reasons that others listed below.

[@HunterNugent1]

Absolutely love this matchup of a garage build dude that doesn't route his wiring pristine vs. Jay...Love this.

[@erickbechphotography6288]

I’ve met Mario before and he’s just a nice modest down to earth guy. The car is well put together and I like that racing stripe too. Great build and great guy.

[@SP-ut5wc]

Mr Leno, I really enjoy these average Joe's projet videos lately. They have a very unique heart-warming touch (especially the one with the Ford T). Thank You. And congratulations to the owner mr Markakis.

[@tonyboughman8050]

The Model T hot rod is my favorite episode of all.

[@joeburgstahler6809]

Jay, these are my favorite episodes, regular guys, budget builds! I'm an old air cooled junkie but this thing is really cool!!!!!

[@DJzSith]

*15:31** Jay's display of maturity and self restraint is exemplary.*

[@gordoncampbell100]

Jay is so simply in tune with this charming guy , burning the midnight oil in his garage to produce a great little car .

[@Kevin19700]

Fantastic ! As an owner of a totally stock 66 bug, this really is enjoyable to watch!

[@seinsmeld13]

Excellent job Mario. All the best to you and your family with #3. Keep up the great work!

[@Djuztin]

I will at some point be a VW Beetle owner. Currently 16 and I want to own one before I turn 20! I absolutely love these cars, I will enjoy it once I get it! 🙃

[@geothon]

The owner is really cool. Shows the difference between someone who really knows his car because he built it and someone who just paid to have it done. Respect!

[@ClusterHeadSurvivor]

Budget builds are the best. No such word as can't. Passion far outweighs any obstacle

[@ralphburns6659]

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mksampa07]

V.W.beetle japanese! (Cinematographic) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIa8foqre7qthKM

[@jehugarcia]

Awesome conversion

[@davidgoldberg]

Great job Mario and thanks Jay for bringing in regular guys to show their cars!

[@DanTheManIOM]

Mario did a great job here. I love how it all fits so well, the wheels fill the wheel wells and the car is lowered and does not look broken (no extreme tilting in of the rear wheels). Nice.

[@buckaroobonsi555]

Love it!! I especially like that he did not just drop an LS engine in it. I was guessing it had a Porsche 911 Turbo engine it it. What a surprise.

[@cldan9152]

Damn good ingenuity!!! 282 tq in a 1700 lbs chassis....equals awesome acceleration!

[@DJMotoVlogs]

Man, this thing is cool. Im always impressed with these guys who build a car at home.

[@wadechubb6365]

Jay is the coolest car guy ever he appreciates all types of builds not just cars only rich people can afford.

[@CP-yw7oy]

I didn't see Jay this excitet for a long time.

[@servicarrider]

I love jay Leno's garage. Thanks Jay!

[@williamnordeste9653]

Jay I have 2 big boxes of NOS antique radio control knobs . Would you be interested? Uncle Will

[@zachiyenonyosef5396]

Jay is such a nice guy its amazing

[@BuzzWorthyStuff]

My grandfather had one of these and he crashed it...love this car.... he was a WW2 veteran...makes you wonder why he loved it so much...

[@gasserhashem7703]

I still have my 74' and i love it❤️

[@valhala56]

Jay liked this guy, apparently dealing with rich famous people all the time can get old and interacting with a regular guy can be refreshing for somebody like Jay.

[@valhala56]

A regular guy with a lot of money and a shitload of cars. But most people like Jay cause at heart he is a regular guy.

[@JK360noscope]

Everyone's a person. Jay's no different, he just has more resources!

[@adamkatt]

Jay is one righteous dude!

[@mojojoedwards]

I like this guy. Low profile on the outside, but car packs a punch. That's exactly how i want my future cars to be.

[@nasilamak2201]

Those cars will always attract attention. The Ghia is another VW dream.

[@timmythebeaseman]

The owner seems like a cool guy.

[@cerealkilla8930]

It's obvious that Jay loves this car. I totally agree. Very well done. :)

[@GenralMayhem]

Dude!Sooo impressed!Homebuilt and very presentable.Not a show car but a clean daily driver.Nothing hanging out and intact rear seating? "Good job Mario !"

[@AcidbrainwashEffect]

New Cars Suck This, even this, has more style than most anything made today.

[@garyseefeld620]

Actually, the Bug is one of the all-time great designs, but people got brainwashed against it in the '50's and '60's when everything had to look new new new every year.

[@garyseefeld620]

I suspect that even Jay was brainwashed.

[@78tranzamman43]

Don't you have a new car?

[@beetleboy7216]

jS197 the classic VW beetle was and still is one of the safest cars on the road and it still retains its awards for safety

[@beetleboy7216]

so it performs very well

[@liquorsystemsofutah484]

Love the home build low budget cars! Do more of these Jay.

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

Fun! Thanks Jay and Mario. Always fun to see a Beetle with some horsepower and torque. Nice to see three-point seat belts.

[@MGSBigBoss77]

Love Jay Leno's love of cars, but especially his love of the VW Beetle. He's quoted as saying; "Its better to make a slow car go even faster than make a faster car go even fast yet still!" Smart man.

[@jaywest4102]

Drinking game: Take a shot every time Jays wheels cross the lane marker lines.

[@jeffparris8387]

Drinking game, take a shot every time Jay pops the waste gate.

[@ZepG]

Ha my liver would give out.

[@joshbriggsDayZBeast]

YEEEESSSSSSSSSSS IVE BEEEN WAITING FOR A BEETLE EPISODE!!!!!!!

[@JeraCravoMyself]

Yeah! More beetles!

[@tristanmeadows]

Yea iam doing a subaru engine into a 66 beetle atm love this episode :D

[@rodrigoschmitz1]

This is not one beetle! this is trans! The real beetle have one aircooled! :D

[@studid55]

Again we meet! How is the beetle?

[@pablocespedes9585]

Please no more Beetles, they are ugly and slow, was it was a smart design during the 1940s, yes it was, but thats it! For the first time in Jay Leno video, I can truly say that I dont even bother to watch more than one third of the video. The hot roded model T video a few weeks ago, that was a good one!

[@adansanchez3790]

Not any bug would make it to Jay's show. What an amazing build!

[@user-nt9sk4xj6p]

one of the best sleepers I've ever seen...

[@areuaware6842]

Believe me, it wasn't a man that made up that "Happy wife, happy life" marketing campaign. Nice job on the car!

[@BEEBEE159]

The man's version goes: No wife, happy life.

[@TimothyHigdonHiggs]

A huge smile!!! This was so fun! Leno builds one!!!! I'll come out work with you!

[@edalder2000]

My father had a '68 bog standard Bug 30 years ago when I was a kid. This makes me smile.

[@iain6167]

Nice car. Mario, I love this thing!

[@bb38313]

I learned to drive in a 1961 VW bug. Dad had 3 wish I had one now

[@p00pie]

buy one they are cheap

[@Spawn-td8bf]

Mine was a '62. 6 volt system made for interesting night driving. God Bless.

[@vwkaferman]

I always wait for the double beep at the end...Love it

[@frankpryor2755]

THE 60's, brought back good memories...good vib 👍. Cool to see home projects..like it!!!

[@symonf1966]

I'd like to see Jay do a beetle. Can you imagine how fast Jays wallet and workshop could make one go?

[@markm0000]

He would put a bugatti w12 in a beetle lol.

[@markcastleton9956]

I think jay will buy him a better gearbox

[@GlobalTV123]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@clintonflynn815]

I don't want to see Jay "doing" anything... just stick to the cars.

[@SvenDansk7]

First, he'd have to ask Bugatti to build a W12, I think. Perhaps a W16 would be a better starting point. ;)

[@knightmedia1]

Thought he was paying Homage to Herbie with those stripes LOL

[@gtrgarrage2422]

Jay thank you for getting some of the real budget build. Very commendable

[@PagnDad2]

American ingenuity at its best, combining German and Japanese engineering to produce this very special car. I love these home built, lower budget cars. They show that the old fashioned, backyard car builder is far from gone. Thanks Jay !

[@macberry4048]

sleeper with crazy engine swap this needs to be on smoking tire

[@mattwasilewicz9677]

I thought the same thing!

[@seanc5481]

Its a fast car no doubt, but a canyon carver it is not.

[@Cservoss25]

This most certainly should be a One Take.

[@Addison0526]

+sean c why not?

[@Cservoss25]

How can we get Matt to see this?

[@carolyngames7705]

love that guy! he is as cool as Jay!

[@ElectrifiedJourneys]

My first car was a 64 Volkswagen Beetle and it will always be my favourite. Great job on your car Mario, it's beautiful! :)

[@shanedarden369]

Mario....... just became the coolest kid at school... Awesome car

[@AHAUGHT]

LOL, Jay: What do you do? Mario: I'm an xray technician. Jay: So you must know this car inside and out!

[@DDM7406]

This one is way awesome

[@WarmandHardy]

Love Leno’s reaction to the motor specs. Like putting a viper engine in a weed whacker.

[@n4679827]

Man that built it impresses me more than the car - and that car is SO COOL !!!

[@poolboyinla]

The color is nice.

[@reelreeler8778]

Cool car! I had a '66 VW during my high school years. One thing I could never figure out was why the cars interior always smelled like reefer. ;)

[@LarsonFamilyFarm-LLC]

mine too...it's the natural strawing fibers from india or china that make up the seat cushions. that was my first car in HS too 1981...a 66 vw 1300.

[@Vwrescue]

My dad had a 66' in high school and sold it :(. But now we have 3 beetles

[@billyp.7889]

It is the combination of the "horse hair" seat cushions, headliner insulation and battery acid smell, coming from under the back seat. :)

[@MillionthUsername]

Don't forget the smell of the vinyl too, especially after it bakes in the sun for a while.

[@billyp.7889]

+MillionthUsername I think the acrid smell of battery acid and Unburnt fuel in the exhaust and the burning oil fumes, added to make up the air cooled be era car smells.

[@soundwavs1961c]

How can anyone "thumbs down" this gorgeous car?

[@TODDFINK1]

Sounds great! Great job Mario and great job Jay for noticing the extra cool ones.

[@SkiDooRydr]

I like how he couldn't be bothered to take a damp rag and wipe off the engine bay before coming on the show.

[@HackoDis]

Who cares, i like to see a dirty engine, that way you know it's a daily driver :P

[@markcastleton9956]

You are totally right awesome ,my dad had one of these dual Carburetors

[@TheJohnnyLucasFilmHouse]

That guy was real dry! Geez like he had somwhere else to be.

[@willywillywillywillywilly]

Oh come on, he was fine. Probably camera shy and star struck like 90% would be.

[@msg9434]

he was probably trying to play it cool

[@cheesewagon85]

didn't even take his sunglasses off.

[@stevekovach2347]

he was cool

[@TheGuerillapatriot]

That's Marios normal demeanor. Even his brother is dry, cool guys. I know both.

[@chipleach]

I love that Jay is still giving us new videos on this channel. Thanks, Jay!

[@beefsoda1]

I love when jay pays homage to the beetle 🪲 😌 😍

[@hondatrix]

Jay, waste gates don't go pssssstttt...that's the blow off valve..

[@voithRetarded]

hondatrix wastegate goes like psssssssss after turbo has reached the desired boost on acceleration

[@thedge7]

Wondered when Jay would get around to a VW.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

He's done at least two others I think.

[@jeffhartwig5283]

NICE! makes me miss my 1956 Oval window, dropped, dechromed and running a 1776 with a Huge Rochester 2V carb! High school was fun in the mid nineteen seventies cruising Whittier Boulevard!

[@GeneralHobbies]

what an awesome build. congrats to the builder and thanks to Jay for having him on.

[@cupofmozzarella]

6.5 redline? It's a rotary, stomp it to 8 or 9 :p

[@wyattrowe8396]

17:15 Did Jay stall it?

[@eoin730]

Im ethan bradberry

[@sonnygunz9207]

Yup!!

[@ChapuleTaylor]

Deez Nutz

[@ddavid122]

Oh yeah he stalled.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

HEY "PlSSALLOVERMYBLAH BLAH".......l'M NOT EVEN GONNA REPEAT YOUR CHANNEL NAME HERE..............DUDE.......YOU ARE ONE WElRD, SlCK, PERVERTED....AND TWlSTED lNDlVlDUAL. SOUNDS TO MY LlKE NO GERBlL lS SAFE WlTH YOU AROUND. MY GOD MAN.......SEEK SOME HELP.......SERlOUSLY.

[@jstevenj1]

Another winner Jay, Mario has enraptured the hearts of thousands of beetle mechanics from the 60's and 70's, that thing is too cute when it scoots...

[@neilpiper9889]

It's the cal look that you have there. Lowered. Mario's Kart! The original Vankel engine was shown at Earls Court motor show in 1959. They didn't have the tech back then to make it last. Strip down every 5000 miles. Mazda did built it pretty well. My friend had a Rx. Great sound. I had a 1966 1300 Beetle 0 to 60 in 20 minutes. 6 volt electrics. Stock. I loved it. It was 1968 so 2 years old. I was Mr Cool in 1968.

[@VWLuka]

17:28 woow!

[@user-lb7pt6jb3o]

America is the only place where stuff like that is possible

[@jeffparris8387]

Thats why America rocks, and everyone else sucks cocks...........

[@user-lb7pt6jb3o]

Jeff Parris wooooo

[@krusher74]

loads of people doing stuff like this all over Europe and Australasia.

[@sclogse1]

The world makes do with what it has. Cuba. (I wonder if ebay will open to Cuba, because they'll go nuts.)

[@ramongalindoh9285]

We have some of this cars in Mexico .right on my home town puebla i own a 82 !!! Learn to do alots a things in wisconsin! love and miss usa Great country God bless you all!!!