Hideously uncool and embarrassing moment!!!!!!
Discussion
Decided to take the 355 out for a drive, the weather was cloudy and grey (as it so often is) but I though, who cares I'm of for a drive in the country. Anyway, I was on my way back and decided to overtake a Land rover on a long straight, as I overtook I absolutely f**ked the gear change! It was just so embarrassing because obviously the Land rover heard it but I was literally parallel to the driver when it happened. Oh the shame... 
Anyone had similar experiences while in their supercar, or is it just me who apparently can't drive!
Anyone had similar experiences while in their supercar, or is it just me who apparently can't drive!
January 2005 at the NEC Autosport show.
4 LCUK cars and a press fleet Gallardo and Murciélago were performing a 4 / 5 times a day show segment where a Lamborghini tractor was announced as the latest Lamborghini as it trundled out into the show area in front of a couple of thousand spectators...
...to be followed by a Miura, an Espada, a Silhouette, a Countach, a Diablo, the Gallardo and the Murciélago which would carry main-presenter Jodie Kidd away at the end of the show...
The whole thing was run to 'race track rules' so any cars needing petrol could only be refueled outside and from a locked cage where any fuel was securely kept.
On one of the days of the show, the Murciélago needed some juice, so XXVIII announced that he'd take the car outside to add the gas.
And after the key went in and the ignition was turned on, both paddles were pulled for '0' and the car started very easily...
After a second to recall which paddle was for 'up', it was nudged to see '1'...
Then the handbrake was released and a light throttle applied for absolutely no movement...
Then some firmer throttle was used but still no movement...
And then a bit firmer still for the same zero progress...
Of course, the following big fat chunk o' gas meant almost a £zillion quid's worth of bright orange car powered towards a very solid wall not 20 yards away and XXVIII stamped on the brake pedal so hard his head hit the headlining but his face ended up where the airbag would've killed him anyway when it went off, which would have been infinitely better than living with the shame...
but of course, the Murciélago just stopped and the only other sounds to be heard were the harsh, cringe-making laughter and guffaws of the 'amused' onlookers which continued as the car pogo'd it's way outside whilst the interior was overheated from the near-supernova glow burning on my face...
XXVIII has got a little better with the e-gear since...
4 LCUK cars and a press fleet Gallardo and Murciélago were performing a 4 / 5 times a day show segment where a Lamborghini tractor was announced as the latest Lamborghini as it trundled out into the show area in front of a couple of thousand spectators...
...to be followed by a Miura, an Espada, a Silhouette, a Countach, a Diablo, the Gallardo and the Murciélago which would carry main-presenter Jodie Kidd away at the end of the show...
The whole thing was run to 'race track rules' so any cars needing petrol could only be refueled outside and from a locked cage where any fuel was securely kept.
On one of the days of the show, the Murciélago needed some juice, so XXVIII announced that he'd take the car outside to add the gas.
And after the key went in and the ignition was turned on, both paddles were pulled for '0' and the car started very easily...
After a second to recall which paddle was for 'up', it was nudged to see '1'...
Then the handbrake was released and a light throttle applied for absolutely no movement...
Then some firmer throttle was used but still no movement...
And then a bit firmer still for the same zero progress...
Of course, the following big fat chunk o' gas meant almost a £zillion quid's worth of bright orange car powered towards a very solid wall not 20 yards away and XXVIII stamped on the brake pedal so hard his head hit the headlining but his face ended up where the airbag would've killed him anyway when it went off, which would have been infinitely better than living with the shame...
but of course, the Murciélago just stopped and the only other sounds to be heard were the harsh, cringe-making laughter and guffaws of the 'amused' onlookers which continued as the car pogo'd it's way outside whilst the interior was overheated from the near-supernova glow burning on my face...
XXVIII has got a little better with the e-gear since...
XXVIII said:
January 2005 at the NEC Autosport show.
4 LCUK cars and a press fleet Gallardo and Murciélago were performing a 4 / 5 times a day show segment where a Lamborghini tractor was announced as the latest Lamborghini as it trundled out into the show area in front of a couple of thousand spectators...
...to be followed by a Miura, an Espada, a Silhouette, a Countach, a Diablo, the Gallardo and the Murciélago which would carry main-presenter Jodie Kidd away at the end of the show...
The whole thing was run to 'race track rules' so any cars needing petrol could only be refueled outside and from a locked cage where any fuel was securely kept.
On one of the days of the show, the Murciélago needed some juice, so XXVIII announced that he'd take the car outside to add the gas.
And after the key went in and the ignition was turned on, both paddles were pulled for '0' and the car started very easily...
After a second to recall which paddle was for 'up', it was nudged to see '1'...
Then the handbrake was released and a light throttle applied for absolutely no movement...
Then some firmer throttle was used but still no movement...
And then a bit firmer still for the same zero progress...
Of course, the following big fat chunk o' gas meant almost a £zillion quid's worth of bright orange car powered towards a very solid wall not 20 yards away and XXVIII stamped on the brake pedal so hard his head hit the headlining but his face ended up where the airbag would've killed him anyway when it went off, which would have been infinitely better than living with the shame...
but of course, the Murciélago just stopped and the only other sounds to be heard were the harsh, cringe-making laughter and guffaws of the 'amused' onlookers which continued as the car pogo'd it's way outside whilst the interior was overheated from the near-supernova glow burning on my face...
XXVIII has got a little better with the e-gear since...
what was actually preventing you from moving forward prior to you shameful moment? forgive me, but unfortunatley I don't get to drive many Lambo's!4 LCUK cars and a press fleet Gallardo and Murciélago were performing a 4 / 5 times a day show segment where a Lamborghini tractor was announced as the latest Lamborghini as it trundled out into the show area in front of a couple of thousand spectators...
...to be followed by a Miura, an Espada, a Silhouette, a Countach, a Diablo, the Gallardo and the Murciélago which would carry main-presenter Jodie Kidd away at the end of the show...
The whole thing was run to 'race track rules' so any cars needing petrol could only be refueled outside and from a locked cage where any fuel was securely kept.
On one of the days of the show, the Murciélago needed some juice, so XXVIII announced that he'd take the car outside to add the gas.
And after the key went in and the ignition was turned on, both paddles were pulled for '0' and the car started very easily...
After a second to recall which paddle was for 'up', it was nudged to see '1'...
Then the handbrake was released and a light throttle applied for absolutely no movement...
Then some firmer throttle was used but still no movement...
And then a bit firmer still for the same zero progress...
Of course, the following big fat chunk o' gas meant almost a £zillion quid's worth of bright orange car powered towards a very solid wall not 20 yards away and XXVIII stamped on the brake pedal so hard his head hit the headlining but his face ended up where the airbag would've killed him anyway when it went off, which would have been infinitely better than living with the shame...
but of course, the Murciélago just stopped and the only other sounds to be heard were the harsh, cringe-making laughter and guffaws of the 'amused' onlookers which continued as the car pogo'd it's way outside whilst the interior was overheated from the near-supernova glow burning on my face...
XXVIII has got a little better with the e-gear since...
We've all missed a gear or two driving a stick-shift Ferrari, it's all about the learning process.
Come to think of it, who hasn't in any manual car? These things happen, you wouldn't feel bad doing it in a Ford Focus would you, it's just that everyone is looking at you. Don't even consider picking your nose in a Ferrari!
Come to think of it, who hasn't in any manual car? These things happen, you wouldn't feel bad doing it in a Ford Focus would you, it's just that everyone is looking at you. Don't even consider picking your nose in a Ferrari!
God. So many.
Backing into the garage door.
Spinning the car trying to get out of the Eurotunnel car park in power-sliding style.
Tripping up when I get out (countless times). Damn low cars and clumsy feet.
Going to do a launch at the lights to beat the traffic, then realising you've forgotten to engage gear.
Whenever I wear my driving gloves which match the interior colour (which is often)
Backing into the garage door.
Spinning the car trying to get out of the Eurotunnel car park in power-sliding style.
Tripping up when I get out (countless times). Damn low cars and clumsy feet.
Going to do a launch at the lights to beat the traffic, then realising you've forgotten to engage gear.
Whenever I wear my driving gloves which match the interior colour (which is often)
militantmandy said:
XXVIII said:
embarrassing stuff
XXVIII has got a little better with the e-gear since...
what was actually preventing you from moving forward prior to you shameful moment? forgive me, but unfortunatley I don't get to drive many Lambo's!XXVIII has got a little better with the e-gear since...
The Murciélago isn't an absolute monster to drive like a Countach can be when driven by a semi-skilled dunderhead but it is at least as intimidating if the driver lets it be... I underestimated the need for controller 'certainty' with the car and felt like I was about to pay, possibly dramatically and I need to stop thinking about it now as well.
I was driving the Espada for the show. It was (and is) an absolute gem but in all the noise and thunder to be heard during the event, only the rev counter confirmed the engine was running but at least I was relaxed as it had / has the comfiest seats of any of the cars we had there so I was able to chill out after 'the incident'...
Ms. Kidd was very unwilling to be photographed with any of the Lamborghinis as she'd just signed her (race?) contract with Maserati. However, when she was wandering about during the days of the show she was suitably impressed by the Miura and intimidated by the Countach, amazed at the calm demeanour of the Espada, intrigued by the Silhouette and literally dribbling on the Diablo. Her PA was (is?) about half her height but somebody (not me) got pictures of them both coo-ing over the Gallardo and the Murciélago though out of respect for the reasons she gave, we've never carried those images in our magazine.
This image was ripped from a dvd so 'odd' quality but I'm in the driving seat here, really I am...
and Ms Kidde in the Murciélago at the end of the show - again, an iffy quality ex-dvd image though Jodie's a very pretty girl if a bit over-tall...
Edited by XXVIII on Wednesday 8th July 15:05
LongLiveTazio said:
Why did you need to change gear in the first place?!
erm... because it's what you have to do when you want a car to move...The 'show' was a 15-20 minute multiple thread affair with stock cars, drift cars, stunt cars, other stuff, Jodie Kidd and Lamborghinis - 4 or 5 times a day over the 4 days of the show.
The Murciélago needed fuelling and nobody else wanted to do it or else could be bothered at that point, so I did it.
One thing a Lamborghini - any Lamborghini - should never be, is pushed about... it is just not done if ever possible.
Whilst a Murciélago's bodywork is thicker, no doubt, for example and by explanation, the bodywork metal of a Countach is at no point thicker than 1.5 millimeters. A person could dramatically reshape a Countach with some slight hand pressure, equally slightly before a person would also became dramatically reshaped by the rightfully enraged owner...
AndrewW-G said:
Last week I somehow managed to get one of my feet caught in a 348's seat belt as I got out, fell flat on my face and actually heard people laughing 
Thanks, that's cheered me up, I've just wet myself reading about it, god knows what I would have done if I'd been there. 
Had many moments as my wife purchaced a Fiat multipla 5 years ago. It was like driving a goldfish bowl and it was obvious to see people pointing and laughing. The most embaressing car to drive ever. Close second though is being sat broken down in a Ferrari 355 at the side of a busy road though. Lots of pointing again. Bloody Italian cars
Edited by rex on Thursday 9th July 17:59
XXVIII said:
LongLiveTazio said:
Why did you need to change gear in the first place?!
erm... because it's what you have to do when you want a car to move...The 'show' was a 15-20 minute multiple thread affair with stock cars, drift cars, stunt cars, other stuff, Jodie Kidd and Lamborghinis - 4 or 5 times a day over the 4 days of the show.
The Murciélago needed fuelling and nobody else wanted to do it or else could be bothered at that point, so I did it.
One thing a Lamborghini - any Lamborghini - should never be, is pushed about... it is just not done if ever possible.
Whilst a Murciélago's bodywork is thicker, no doubt, for example and by explanation, the bodywork metal of a Countach is at no point thicker than 1.5 millimeters. A person could dramatically reshape a Countach with some slight hand pressure, equally slightly before a person would also became dramatically reshaped by the rightfully enraged owner...
LongLiveTazio said:
XXVIII said:
LongLiveTazio said:
Why did you need to change gear in the first place?!
erm... because it's what you have to do when you want a car to move...The 'show' was a 15-20 minute multiple thread affair with stock cars, drift cars, stunt cars, other stuff, Jodie Kidd and Lamborghinis - 4 or 5 times a day over the 4 days of the show.
The Murciélago needed fuelling and nobody else wanted to do it or else could be bothered at that point, so I did it.
One thing a Lamborghini - any Lamborghini - should never be, is pushed about... it is just not done if ever possible.
Whilst a Murciélago's bodywork is thicker, no doubt, for example and by explanation, the bodywork metal of a Countach is at no point thicker than 1.5 millimeters. A person could dramatically reshape a Countach with some slight hand pressure, equally slightly before a person would also became dramatically reshaped by the rightfully enraged owner...
lambo_xx said:
LongLiveTazio said:
XXVIII said:
LongLiveTazio said:
Why did you need to change gear in the first place?!
erm... because it's what you have to do when you want a car to move...The 'show' was a 15-20 minute multiple thread affair with stock cars, drift cars, stunt cars, other stuff, Jodie Kidd and Lamborghinis - 4 or 5 times a day over the 4 days of the show.
The Murciélago needed fuelling and nobody else wanted to do it or else could be bothered at that point, so I did it.
One thing a Lamborghini - any Lamborghini - should never be, is pushed about... it is just not done if ever possible.
Whilst a Murciélago's bodywork is thicker, no doubt, for example and by explanation, the bodywork metal of a Countach is at no point thicker than 1.5 millimeters. A person could dramatically reshape a Countach with some slight hand pressure, equally slightly before a person would also became dramatically reshaped by the rightfully enraged owner...
djon said:
lambo_xx said:
LongLiveTazio said:
XXVIII said:
LongLiveTazio said:
Why did you need to change gear in the first place?!
erm... because it's what you have to do when you want a car to move...The 'show' was a 15-20 minute multiple thread affair with stock cars, drift cars, stunt cars, other stuff, Jodie Kidd and Lamborghinis - 4 or 5 times a day over the 4 days of the show.
The Murciélago needed fuelling and nobody else wanted to do it or else could be bothered at that point, so I did it.
One thing a Lamborghini - any Lamborghini - should never be, is pushed about... it is just not done if ever possible.
Whilst a Murciélago's bodywork is thicker, no doubt, for example and by explanation, the bodywork metal of a Countach is at no point thicker than 1.5 millimeters. A person could dramatically reshape a Countach with some slight hand pressure, equally slightly before a person would also became dramatically reshaped by the rightfully enraged owner...
I would just like to add that, despite how this topic makes me look like, I am actually not a bad driver. Just, for the record.
That you can change gear without fluffing it up?
I've done that thing a few times where I get out and don't push the door far enough open, I'll then turn around to lean back in the car and get something and the bloody door swings back in and squashes me! Done that outside the bank and was so embarrassed I just got back in and drove off. And the one where you open the door but are standing a little too close to it so the corner of the window cracks you in the ribs. Bloody doors!
rex said:
Had many moments as my wife purchaced a Fiat multipla 5 years ago. It was like driving a goldfish bowl and it was obvious to see people pointing and laughing. The most embaressing car to drive ever. Close second though is being sat broken down in a Ferrari 355 at the side of a busy road though. Lots of pointing again. Bloody Italian cars
Oh God, I forgot about this. Bloody alternator was dodgy, only just sorted it out.Edited by rex on Thursday 9th July 17:59
First time it let me down I was straddling both lanes next to Trafalgar Square. Stopped all of central London. the second time was rush hour in the middle of Blackfriars bridge. Again, stopped the whole place.
Talk about turning bright red!
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