Update on Murcielago SG54..it's (almost) back

[simonspider]

Well its been getting on for 3 years since SG54 went off the track at high speed and argued disastrously with an oak tree. Since then its had its chassis and roof straightened by Chartwell of Derby and as well as being rebuilt with new suspension, brakes and chassis components. Its also had the interior replaced, new windscreen, airbags, seatbelts, dash instruments, wheels, headlight unit and a new Tubi back box and tips. (It had just had the V12 fully rebuilt as well as the gearbox before the smash).
Its now with the dedicated team at Lamborghini Manchester being slowly finished off and should be complete in a few weeks. Then MOT/Tax and all systems go. The odo will turn over for the first time since November 2012 to 258,099.
Future? Its going back on the road as my daily driver come rain or shine. I'm really looking forward to getting the old girl back

Edited by simonspider on Monday 10th August 21:44

[simonspider]

Another pic..

[simonspider]

And the fateful day..

[simonspider]

I'm going to try and get to 300,000 within 12 months. My daily commute is about 180 miles so its achievable.
Ste - V12 engine rebuilds vary wildly depending on what needs doing. This V12 has had a top end rebuild three times now. One of those was at the factory in Sant'Agata.
I'd say an average cost is £8-12,000. Without doubt V12's seem to cope with mileage better than V8's I suppose because they are simply less stressed.
I'm planning a trip back to the factory in the Murcielago in January.
Thanks for the interest.

Simon

[simonspider]

AyBee said:

Glad she's back The damage in the pic doesn't look too bad?

It became apparent it was much worse than first thought once it was stripped down. The chassis was bent and as a result the roof warped badly so the doors wouldn't shut. If Chartwell hadn't been able to straighten the chassis over the week it took, it would have been scrapped.

[simonspider]

Another chassis straightening pic..
I had no idea these computer controlled jigs often take a week to pull the chassis back straight a few mm a day.

[simonspider]

Muzzer79 said:

Superb

Interesting how you appear to have gone back to standard with paint and wheels.

What exactly happened on the 'fateful day'?

Yep I wanted it back to how it was when new in September 2004. So silver wheels and no black apart from the standard engine cover slats. Only other external giveaway's are the Hercules LP640 wheels and the LP640 rear lights.

It was on a track we use at 6th Gear. Customer driving with an instructor in the passenger seat on a damp November day. Came out of a chicane a little quick and couldn't catch it, impacted a tree off side front. No injuries thank goodness.
Murcielago's (inc the 640) have enormous grip in the dry. If you do lose the back end especially in the wet its rarely possible to catch it as they invariably immediately whip the other way if you do. I've spun Murcie's a lot over the years. It's not a nice feeling with a car that big. Only twice been able to catch the back once its gone.

[simonspider]

Thanks for the kind comments chaps. Pleased to say it's back in Evo's 'Fast Fleet' from October

[simonspider]

catfood12 said:

So it lives !

I was holding court in Gaucho in South Ken last night, and SG54 went flying down Sloane Ave and into Ixworth Place !

That's rather worrying since it was in Lamborghini Manchester just waiting for a windscreen fitting earlier today!
Its Yorkshire based

[simonspider]

And once again - all the kind comments are much appreciated thanks.
Its been a massive team effort getting it back from almost being almost obliterated.
Almost there now..

Simon

[simonspider]

kith said:

Any update on this - is the beast back on the road?

Thanks for asking.
Its still at Lamborghini Manchester (has its own corner of the workshop now just awaiting the dashboard back from the upholsterers who have re-covered it in alcantara stiched orange & a fix for a misfire. I've not been rushing things especially considering the weather

Simon

[simonspider]

It'll never go near another track! However I will be using it day to day with a view to hitting 300k in a year or so. Re-covered dashboard is being picked up this weekend then hopefully just bits and bats to do

[simonspider]

SydneySE said:

Have been looking at having my dash done in alacantara too; did you get any change from £850? if so I'd like to know who's doing the work :-)

Nope fraid not cost me £1000 but is a nice job.
V12's - they don't go boom as such just start smoking and feeling tired. The Lambo V12's are easily good enough for 120/130k then a top end and they will do the same again..

[simonspider]

At last..about a week away from the tarmac again.
It's taken about 4 years but the first test drive will be next week..

[simonspider]

So...here she is after the first full road test.
I don't mind admitting I was nervous since if there was obviously something significantly wrong (given the chassis was bent like a banana) I'd have been a tad depressed. However it honestly drives like its new. MOT later this week and then 180 miles a day on the M1 commuter run..

[simonspider]

New alcantara interior (needs a vac I know)

[simonspider]

Engine bay repainted & carbon re-laquered..

[simonspider]

[simonspider]

Front view..

As regards a road trip I've missed the two I planned on going on. So decided to drive to Genoa and get the ferry to Sardinia next month.

Reason for this is I've always had a soft spot for the 1977 Bond film 'The Spy Who Loved Me'.
Its what got me into cars (had a S1 Esprit many years ago) so I'm going to follow the route taken in the filming along the coast roads (where the Cortina kept up with the Esprit) and the helicopter chase..
Plus the film is 40 years old next year.

[simonspider]

Phil Dicky said:

180 miles a day..that a typo !!!

No I live near Sheffield work near Tamworth.