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
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.
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
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.
Great vid PH - more like this please.
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.
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