RE: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni

RE: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni

Author
Discussion

Streetrod

6,468 posts

205 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
I think all you potential lottery winners might have to look on the second hand market as I understand all of the Balboni's have been sold, please correct me if i am wrong

RobCrezz

7,892 posts

207 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
RobM77 said:
leon9191 said:
Gridl0k said:
leon9191 said:
Gridl0k said:
Not seen this answered anywhere so maybe here's the place - did they actually give one to Mr Balboni or not?
No they didnt, well thats what EVO said anyway.
Poor bd.

Lambo owners club should make everyone chip in whatever it takes. This guy made their enjoyment possible, to a large extent...

Anyone here met him? I can only assume that 40 years testing Lamborghinis has made him look like Popeye.

I remember a program/video clarkson did in the 1990s and he was on there testing a Diablo, had it fully sideways rear wheels pouring out smoke.

No The Road.

Legend.
I remember the video, but remember the main sideways scenes as being on a runway and he spun the car every single time, and tried to hide his mistake by doing a few doughnuts afterwards.

I thought the general consensus was that he was a rubbish driver? Evo did a feature a few years ago on test drivers, where they wrote a piece on legends such as Walter Rohl, Dirk Schoysman, Mike Cross etc. The write up on Balboni described him as an embaressment, spinning constantly on product launches and generally showing no degree of car control at all.

Don't shoot the messenger, but that's what I'd heard.

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 2nd December 16:27
But Gallardo Balboni sounds better than the Gallardo Schoysman wink

Frimley111R

15,537 posts

233 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
Superb quality interior, thank goodness for Audi! Quality dream cars!

Gruffy

7,212 posts

258 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
leon9191 said:
Anyone here met him? I can only assume that 40 years testing Lamborghinis has made him look like this:

I spent some time with him last year. I can confirm, he's of the stocky variety. Very cool guy though. Very genuine.
RobM77 said:
I thought the general consensus was that he was a rubbish driver?
I also had the privilege of sampling his driving skills. Only on the road but it was suitably impressive what he could do with narrow roads, tight corners, high speeds and an LP-640.

Obi Wan

2,081 posts

214 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
RobM77 said:
leon9191 said:
Gridl0k said:
leon9191 said:
Gridl0k said:
Not seen this answered anywhere so maybe here's the place - did they actually give one to Mr Balboni or not?
No they didnt, well thats what EVO said anyway.
Poor bd.

Lambo owners club should make everyone chip in whatever it takes. This guy made their enjoyment possible, to a large extent...

Anyone here met him? I can only assume that 40 years testing Lamborghinis has made him look like Popeye.

I remember a program/video clarkson did in the 1990s and he was on there testing a Diablo, had it fully sideways rear wheels pouring out smoke.

No The Road.

Legend.
I remember the video, but remember the main sideways scenes as being on a runway and he spun the car every single time, and tried to hide his mistake by doing a few doughnuts afterwards.

I thought the general consensus was that he was a rubbish driver? Evo did a feature a few years ago on test drivers, where they wrote a piece on legends such as Walter Rohl, Dirk Schoysman, Mike Cross etc. The write up on Balboni described him as an embaressment, spinning constantly on product launches and generally showing no degree of car control at all.

Don't shoot the messenger, but that's what I'd heard.

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 2nd December 16:27
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZaus13QDA

personally I think he's just spining for the camera.

Mr Whippy

28,944 posts

240 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
Obi Wan said:
RobM77 said:
leon9191 said:
Gridl0k said:
leon9191 said:
Gridl0k said:
Not seen this answered anywhere so maybe here's the place - did they actually give one to Mr Balboni or not?
No they didnt, well thats what EVO said anyway.
Poor bd.

Lambo owners club should make everyone chip in whatever it takes. This guy made their enjoyment possible, to a large extent...

Anyone here met him? I can only assume that 40 years testing Lamborghinis has made him look like Popeye.

I remember a program/video clarkson did in the 1990s and he was on there testing a Diablo, had it fully sideways rear wheels pouring out smoke.

No The Road.

Legend.
I remember the video, but remember the main sideways scenes as being on a runway and he spun the car every single time, and tried to hide his mistake by doing a few doughnuts afterwards.

I thought the general consensus was that he was a rubbish driver? Evo did a feature a few years ago on test drivers, where they wrote a piece on legends such as Walter Rohl, Dirk Schoysman, Mike Cross etc. The write up on Balboni described him as an embaressment, spinning constantly on product launches and generally showing no degree of car control at all.

Don't shoot the messenger, but that's what I'd heard.

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 2nd December 16:27
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZaus13QDA

personally I think he's just spining for the camera.
If he was really crap he'd have not been test driver for 30 years shirley?

If he had a hand in the last two Murci's (original and LP540), then he clearly can do a good job of a car too!

Dave

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
I watched Brundle's Supercar DVD last night and he wasn't full of praise for the handling on the Murcielago or Diablo. However, I still want a Murci; it's one of the view cars I lust after on looks alone. smile

Again, don't shoot the messenger, that's just what Brundle says, and I trust his opinion very highly.

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 2nd December 17:22

leon9191

752 posts

192 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
RobM77 said:
leon9191 said:
Gridl0k said:
leon9191 said:
Gridl0k said:
Not seen this answered anywhere so maybe here's the place - did they actually give one to Mr Balboni or not?
No they didnt, well thats what EVO said anyway.
Poor bd.

Lambo owners club should make everyone chip in whatever it takes. This guy made their enjoyment possible, to a large extent...

Anyone here met him? I can only assume that 40 years testing Lamborghinis has made him look like Popeye.

I remember a program/video clarkson did in the 1990s and he was on there testing a Diablo, had it fully sideways rear wheels pouring out smoke.

No The Road.

Legend.
I remember the video, but remember the main sideways scenes as being on a runway and he spun the car every single time, and tried to hide his mistake by doing a few doughnuts afterwards.

I thought the general consensus was that he was a rubbish driver? Evo did a feature a few years ago on test drivers, where they wrote a piece on legends such as Walter Rohl, Dirk Schoysman, Mike Cross etc. The write up on Balboni described him as an embaressment, spinning constantly on product launches and generally showing no degree of car control at all.

Don't shoot the messenger, but that's what I'd heard.

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 2nd December 16:27
Fair point I guess, but really all I remember is he looked like a aging pop star and drove lambos for a living so in my 13 year old eyes he was a hero!


BlackSteel

128 posts

193 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
More street cred & pedigree than any other super car built today.

Until the new McLaren arrives this is THE car to have. A bargain that will have the collectors clambering.

Is it cooler than a Ferrari? Oh yes.


MIRAstig

27 posts

174 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
Having had the pleasure of Mr B at MIRA I can vouch for his skill. That car will be an instant classic.

Marf

22,907 posts

240 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
adycav said:
Old Skool Car Porn - RWD and (gasp!) a MANUAL 'BOX!!!

I want.
+1

A proper Lambo.

Shropshiremike

23,164 posts

202 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
al1991 said:
If Balboni himself wanted a manual gearbox for his car, then why do Lambo insist on making flappy paddles?
I find that quite interesting - he's seen the full range of transmissions that Lambo produce but has opted for an old stick shift .....

TaylotS2K

1,964 posts

206 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
Love it. Given the choice though _ I'd still have a LP640 or SV.

Mr Whippy

28,944 posts

240 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
Shropshiremike said:
al1991 said:
If Balboni himself wanted a manual gearbox for his car, then why do Lambo insist on making flappy paddles?
I find that quite interesting - he's seen the full range of transmissions that Lambo produce but has opted for an old stick shift .....
Probably just because for a driver that wants a car for driving, then it is more tactile and enjoyable. He won't drive this kind of car for the best lap time after all, he'll drive a track/race car for that I suppose.

BUT, I think there are plenty of buyers out there who have lots of money but little idea of what they want, except it has to have the expensive options, and the gearboxes that make their ability to drive these cars at all well hehe (same with any car, not a dig at owners, but by the numbers plenty will want the SMG/DSG/auto's because deep down they can't be arsed or care about a manual)

Dave

5Valve

73 posts

173 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
I have a feeling Valentino does'nt need to have a car given to him, instead of the Gold watch, on his retirement. He's been driving/developing Lamborghini cars daily since the late 60's!
He's an absolute gentleman and along with everyone else I wish him a very happy retirement. Having his name added to the Gallardo just shows how revered he is in Lamborghini circles.



the_smalls

1,003 posts

202 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
What brake setup does the Balboni have? I seem to remember Evo disliking it for the carbon ceramics, but then Top Gear said they are regular, i.e. steel.

So which is it? Or is there a choice?

Shropshiremike

23,164 posts

202 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
Mr Whippy said:
Shropshiremike said:
al1991 said:
If Balboni himself wanted a manual gearbox for his car, then why do Lambo insist on making flappy paddles?
I find that quite interesting - he's seen the full range of transmissions that Lambo produce but has opted for an old stick shift .....
Probably just because for a driver that wants a car for driving, then it is more tactile and enjoyable. He won't drive this kind of car for the best lap time after all, he'll drive a track/race car for that I suppose.
Don't get me wrong, got nothing against it. Just find it interesting that someone that's done 1000s of miles in Lambos doesn't pick the "trick" box .....but a manual.
If I could spec one I'd do the same

Gruffy

7,212 posts

258 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
5Valve said:
I have a feeling Valentino does'nt need to have a car given to him, instead of the Gold watch, on his retirement. He's been driving/developing Lamborghini cars daily since the late 60's!
He still beams like a schoolboy when the faintest opportunity to drive them appears. The passion is very infectious and completely genuine. Hopefully his brand ambassador role will keep him behind the wheel.

BSC

341 posts

281 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
The model name Balboni will live on even when the vehicle that Valentino Balboni would have received from Lamborghini has been sold, crashed or tucked away in a private collection.

So I think this is more of an honour than a car given to Mr Balboni.

I hope that the "simplistic" approach with the manual gearbox suites the car well. Back to basics. Even in a Lamborghini.

Dagnut

3,515 posts

192 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2009
quotequote all
that gets a 10..what else is there to say