RE: Valentino Balboni in a Countach: Time for Tea
Monday 24th July 2017
The man whose name is synonymous with the Lamborghini brand had a simple beginning. Intrigued by Miura bodies being unloaded off a Bertone truck near the company, Valentino Balboni soon found himself completing an employment form at Automobili Lamborghini.
Valentino Balboni in a Countach: Time for Tea?
From mechanic apprentice to chief test driver, here's Balboni's amazing Lamborghini story
As part of his day-to-day duties, Balboni was asked to push cars around the company but he started them up and drove them from place to place. That didn't go unnoticed, of course, and the director soon called him to his office. An offer to be trained as a Lamborghini test driver was made and for a year he was under the wing of Bob Wallace gaining invaluable experience. This video reveals what an unforgettable working life he enjoyed and how much he loved driving the Countach in particular; listen out for Balboni mention the "mutual understanding" there must be between car and driver, especially with the Countach "always dancing"... What a man. Good video too.
Watch the video here
Discussion
Lovely video and an even lovelier man.
I had the pleasure of spending 4 days with Valentino when we went to SA to find my Countach. And then another few trips to see him in Italy as he recommissioned it for me. His knowledge is vast and his enthusiasm for all things Lamborghini is infectious. One visit I arrived in Bologna and he called me to apologise for not meeting that evening but very sadly his mother had passed away - but he absolutely would not hear of it when I said we will cancel our appointment the next day. A true gentleman. And a pity the factory is not involving him in their Storico programme as I understand it. Their loss I think.
I had the pleasure of spending 4 days with Valentino when we went to SA to find my Countach. And then another few trips to see him in Italy as he recommissioned it for me. His knowledge is vast and his enthusiasm for all things Lamborghini is infectious. One visit I arrived in Bologna and he called me to apologise for not meeting that evening but very sadly his mother had passed away - but he absolutely would not hear of it when I said we will cancel our appointment the next day. A true gentleman. And a pity the factory is not involving him in their Storico programme as I understand it. Their loss I think.
mattwhite709 said:
Great video and he certainly seems like a nice chap.
That has to be the best colour combo for a countach too.
I totally agree, I watched the video on YouTube a few weeks ago and thought it was fantastic, especially the comment:That has to be the best colour combo for a countach too.
As part of his day-to-day duties, Balboni was asked to push cars around the company but he started them up and drove them from place to place. That didn't go unnoticed, of course, and the director soon called him to his office.
Top bloke in my opinion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TorVQotPDNg
AndrewD said:
Lovely video and an even lovelier man.
I had the pleasure of spending 4 days with Valentino when we went to SA to find my Countach. And then another few trips to see him in Italy as he recommissioned it for me. His knowledge is vast and his enthusiasm for all things Lamborghini is infectious. One visit I arrived in Bologna and he called me to apologise for not meeting that evening but very sadly his mother had passed away - but he absolutely would not hear of it when I said we will cancel our appointment the next day. A true gentleman. And a pity the factory is not involving him in their Storico programme as I understand it. Their loss I think.
Thank you that that post Andrew. Great video about a boyhood hero. It is usual for the more interesting stories or news items on PH to throw up little anecdotes like yours in response, and it's probably my favourite thing about PH. Lovely little bits of information or stories that you just wouldn't hear anywhere else. I had the pleasure of spending 4 days with Valentino when we went to SA to find my Countach. And then another few trips to see him in Italy as he recommissioned it for me. His knowledge is vast and his enthusiasm for all things Lamborghini is infectious. One visit I arrived in Bologna and he called me to apologise for not meeting that evening but very sadly his mother had passed away - but he absolutely would not hear of it when I said we will cancel our appointment the next day. A true gentleman. And a pity the factory is not involving him in their Storico programme as I understand it. Their loss I think.
Valentino's words about the Countach demonstrate the different world he inhabits to most of us. I remember reading lots about how the Countach was an evil handling thing, until a more contemporary road test described otherwise. But what most class as faults of the car, Valentino classes as character, and that Countach really looked and sounded wonderful.
sege said:
Valentino's words about the Countach demonstrate the different world he inhabits to most of us. I remember reading lots about how the Countach was an evil handling thing, until a more contemporary road test described otherwise. But what most class as faults of the car, Valentino classes as character, and that Countach really looked and sounded wonderful.
Perfectly put. If the car is hard to control, then the driver needs some work! In todays anodyne car market, character traits are so hard to come by that it's refreshing to see them so enthusiastically discussed. Sure, the engine's a bit too high, but look at the byproduct - a driving experience that you only get in the Countach.Great vid PH - more like this please.
AndrewD said:
Lovely video and an even lovelier man.
I had the pleasure of spending 4 days with Valentino when we went to SA to find my Countach. And then another few trips to see him in Italy as he recommissioned it for me. His knowledge is vast and his enthusiasm for all things Lamborghini is infectious. One visit I arrived in Bologna and he called me to apologise for not meeting that evening but very sadly his mother had passed away - but he absolutely would not hear of it when I said we will cancel our appointment the next day. A true gentleman. And a pity the factory is not involving him in their Storico programme as I understand it. Their loss I think.
I know that garage..... :-)I had the pleasure of spending 4 days with Valentino when we went to SA to find my Countach. And then another few trips to see him in Italy as he recommissioned it for me. His knowledge is vast and his enthusiasm for all things Lamborghini is infectious. One visit I arrived in Bologna and he called me to apologise for not meeting that evening but very sadly his mother had passed away - but he absolutely would not hear of it when I said we will cancel our appointment the next day. A true gentleman. And a pity the factory is not involving him in their Storico programme as I understand it. Their loss I think.
hs and take them back to my yacht in Monaco.
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