Jay Leno helps pick best car at Wilson Center classic car show

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilson Center held its second Classic Car Show on Thursday.

From 1960 American muscle to cars from over the pond, the show had everything.

Robin Funke brought his 1933 Plymouth PD Coupe to the show and said it was great to see so much variety.

“It’s a lot of fun and this one in particular is kind of interesting because of the variety of cars,” Funke said. “A lot of car shows are rather similar cars. This ones from a 1913 Pierce to brand new cars. Interesting.”

Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno was a surprise guest judge who helped decide the event’s Best in Show car.

Leno is well known for his large collection of close to 200 cars and more than 150 motorcycles.

Leno said the winning car for Best in Show was chosen because it reminded him of his hometown.

“You know, I come from a small town and people don’t have Rolls Royce’s and Pierce Arrows and Ferraris, they have cars I grew up with,” Leno said. “So, I had a gentleman who’s owned the car for 40 years and he’s taken care of it and restored it and it looks brand new. So to me, that was the winner, just all the heart and soul he put into it.”

The winning car was a 1971 Ford Torino, which owner Dan Russo has had since 1983 when he bought it in high school.

He said it was great to win, instead of Leno choosing more common cars that were at the event.

“Also kind of nice that he’s just picking something that’s a little odd and different, not common,’ Russo said. “It’s not like, you know, the Mustangs and Chevelles that everybody has. So its kind of nice to be recognized for that.”

The event was held before Leno performed at the Wilson Center.

Leno has been at several other car shows previously held in Wilmington, visiting in 2016 and 2022.