Normally, the Darth Vader Car would be reserved for Papa Skywalker himself, but it appears Jay Leno has some sway, even with the Empire. On a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, the former Tonight Show host took a closer look at the blacked-out two-seater, even taking the menacing creation out for a spin.
Like the miniature version that will surely show up in countless Christmas stockings this year, the full-size vehicle is packed with goodies from the Star Wars universe. The triangular front fascia takes clear inspiration from Vader’s iconic helmet, and the flared wheel arches bare a strong resemblance to his bulky shoulder armor. The wheels themselves are custom MHT alloys, and like the seats and steering wheel inside the cabin, they’re appropriately adorned with the six-spoke Imperial crest. Even the side pipes are designed to look like Vader’s signature weapon, and a real prop lightsaber from the original trilogy is mounted inside. Despite all the customization though, the vehicle is fitted with street-legal accoutrements like turn signals, lights, and mirrors, because not even a Dark Lord of the Sith can escape the regulations of the California DMV.
Underneath the sculpted bodywork lies a heavily modified C6 Chevrolet Corvette chassis, which led Leno to describe the vehicle as “an evil Corvette.” There’s a small-block LS3 V8 on hand as well, which sends 526 horsepower to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. That’s right folks, Darth Vader drove a stick. Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.
