From the July/August 2023 concern of Automobile and Driver.
It was late within the day when the Miura caught hearth. Somebody was sitting in it with the engine off and the important thing within the on place, assuming the automobile could be comfortable to maintain the V-12’s followers working. It additionally saved the gasoline pump working, so when the automobile was finally began, the overfull carbs burped out gasoline onto the recent exhaust manifolds. A lot yelling in Italian ensued as close by Lamborghini mechanics initiated a 20-yard dash which may have certified them for an Olympic occasion involving working with hearth extinguishers.
They received the budding conflagration snuffed earlier than harm was achieved, however after that, the automobile went right into a trailer, to not be seen once more. Should you ever get to drive eight Lamborghinis in in the future, attempt to snag the Miura first.
Miura, Countach, 400GT . . .
The 1973 Miura SV was the star attraction of a spectacular lineup mustered to rejoice Lamborghini’s sixtieth birthday. We had been to begin on the manufacturing unit in Sant’Agata, drive up into the hills, and take turns behind the wheel of great vehicles from the assorted epochs. An audacious plan, for positive. Simply between the 400GT, the Miura, and the Countach, there have been 36 carbureted cylinders to maintain in wonderful fettle—all whereas coping with visitors, rain, and roads that could be 1.1 Aventadors extensive. Plus, the largest legal responsibility of all, journalists.
Over the course of the day, some themes emerged. I discovered that all through a lot of Lamborghini’s historical past, primo console actual property was dedicated to the ashtray. Dogleg first gears require that you just always mutter “Reverse is the place first needs to be,” lest you overcome no matter feeble detent defends the higher left slot of the shift sample and end up hurtling backward if you meant to step away neatly from a cease signal. And the carbureted vehicles demand you vigorously pump the accelerator whereas firing the starter motor. Apparently, “You are gonna flood it!” does not translate into Italian.
Murciélago . . .
I started my day in a deliciously louche 2001 Murciélago, certainly one of 20 vehicles constructed with a Versace inside. We set off within the rain, the Murci’s single gigantic wiper reminding me why most vehicles do not have one single gigantic wiper. In my reminiscence, the automobile is all howling violence, and, it seems, reminiscence serves me effectively. In its pure atmosphere (South Seashore), a Murciélago would possibly by no means get out of first gear.
Within the 400GT, I felt like a postwar industrialist en path to my nation home in Siena. The Countach was like driving a Van Halen video. The Gallardo made me really feel like an outsider who chanced onto a parade of Lamborghinis with my financed-for-84-months former Vegas rental automobile, though it’d’ve sounded one of the best of all of them within the tunnels. And the Miura was divine, 380 V-12 horses towards a claimed 2745 kilos, with skinny tires and no energy steering. I drove it fast sufficient to style the euphoria, however one other quantity loomed over the affair: $2.5 million, the automobile’s estimated worth. I consider the paperwork I signed stated that if I harm the Miura, subsequent generations of my household would dangle exhausts on the Urus line till the debt was paid.
Fascinating Diablo
Which brings me to the 2001 Diablo SE 6.0, the one automobile that instantly despatched me to Deliver a Trailer to see whether or not costs had been in keeping with the expertise (sadly, the reply is generally sure). The Diablo is totally superior, particularly because it was born of the period when Lamborghini lurched from one monetary calamity to a different. It is so good—all of the soul of a Countach mixed with trendy refinements like a front-axle carry system, adjustable dampers, and energy home windows. And apart from a handful of Murcis, this was your final probability to get a Lambo V-12 hooked to a handbook transmission. For a automobile named after a bull that was named after Devil, it feels surprisingly pleasant, such as you need to get in and drive a thousand miles. I am undecided I might promote my soul for a Diablo, however I might undoubtedly take out a mortgage.
Senior Editor
Ezra Dyer is a Automobile and Driver senior editor and columnist. He is now based mostly in North Carolina however nonetheless remembers the right way to flip proper. He owns a 2009 GEM e4 and as soon as drove 206 mph. These details are mutually unique.
