‘Jaw-dropper,’ Oct. 10

It took just a handshake and autograph from Jay Leno to rev Marty Sieler’s engine past the red line. The former radio DJ rolled up in his 1923 T-bucket roadster with a Corvette engine to meet the late-night television legend and show off his hot rod at the military recruiting office at the intersection of the Parks and Palmer-Wasilla highways. The “Tonight Show” host was in the Valley to mark the opening of the new U.S. Air Force Reserves recruiting office.

When the comedian saw Sieler’s candy-apple red roadster, Leno, a serious collector of vintage automobiles, made a beeline for the cherry ride.

“You do all this yourself?” Leno asked. “Very nice, nice job.”

Leno autographed the car, leaving Sieler and his heart racing nearly as fast as the 140 mph his roadster can pull.

“I feel like crying right now,” he said. “Thank you, Mr. Leno! That was Jay Leno. That was awesome! I can’t believe it. I can’t believe Jay Leno just signed my car. It’s just been a great day for Marty.”

Although Leno’s plane didn’t land until about 2 a.m., the comedian was jovial and humble. He didn’t put on airs and talked to fans like they were his neighbors, showing a genuine interest in their vintage automobiles and stories.

And Sieler’s made an impression.

“It’s nice,” Leno said. “He did a nice job. That’s the kind of stuff I like, home-built stuff.”

Because of his well-publicized love for anything that rolls Leno is often greeted by people wanting to show off their prized automobiles.

“Oh, all the time,” he said, adding he appreciates that people make a special effort to feed his personal interests. “That’s what’s fun. That’s the cool thing when you have a TV show and you play yourself. Your interests are real. You play a doctor on TV, they all want to know doctor stuff, and you’re not a doctor. I’m into cars and motorcycles, so whenever I go places people want to show me.”

The event was also a venue for Gretchen O’Barr to see the man who usually comes on television later than she can stay awake. She told Leno he was better looking in person than on TV.

“You need to get a new TV,” Leno quipped back.