Although we’ll admit we’re never up late enough to enjoy any of Leno’s late-night one-liners, we’re still avid fans of The Chin for no other reason than simply the gorgeous machines his garage plays home to. Leno is admittedly an equal opportunity collector in terms of appreciation superior engineering, but one automobile he favors in particular is the Chevrolet Corvette. Since no proper Corvette collection would be complete without The General’s newest, biggest, and baddest offering, the 2009 Chevy Corvette ZR1, you can bet your last lease payment that Leno has one in his stable. Leno doesn’t just own any ZR1 though, he owns the first ZR1 – and has the VIN number to prove it. [Hat tip to Rock517 for the story]

Rooted in history as an American Icon, Leno praises The General for equipping the ZR1 with more horsepower than both the McLaren F1 and the SLR Mercedes, effectively squashing any previously held beliefs that brute American force is incapable of rivaling the sleek purring of German luxury. While Leno is quick to lavish GM with praise with the pioneering technology found in the ZR1, Leno himself deserves some credit as well for taking the time to give America’s meanest, 638-horsepower machine the respect and admiration it deserves.

Source: Jay Leno’s Garage