Why did you pick the Lamborghini Gallardo?
Neal - I've always dreamed of owning a Lamborghini. My Gallardo is 2/3rd's the poster car I had on my wall. I have dreamed of owning an Arancio Borealis (orange) Lamborghini Diablo GT since...well forever. But, I don't have the half million+ the car currently commands at auction...so I went with a reasonable compromise. My Gallardo is the same make, same color, and has the amazing gated shifter...so, as close as I can get!
Leo - I had a Viper for several years, which I love and still have. The Viper was my childhood poster car, however I wanted something mid-engine and exotic. I initially began my search looking at NSX's, the Ferrari 355's/360's, then Lamborghini became a possibility. In my mind Lamborghini had always been the ultimate super car, and never thought it would be attainable.
I was originally looking at Murcielagos, but Midnight (my Gallardo) was listed for sale online. Although I wasn't really looking at Gallardos, I loved everything the previous owner did with the car, and how it was modified. Gallardos are also a lot more reliable, and easy to maintain than Murcielagos, so this was a no-brainer for a first exotic.
What is your favorite thing about the car?
Neal - I definitely love the color, but the transmission is the icing on the cake. I had always read in magazines that the gated shifter was the bane of the automotive world. I can whole heartedly tell you that is false. I already love manual transmissions and the connection they provide to the car...but this is another level. The clicks from rowing the gears are delightful. It is sad that the gated shifter is rapidly becoming a memory. Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Maserati no longer offer it is an option. Truly, a loss.
Leo - First, the way it sounds... I just can't tell you in words how good it sounds at high RPM's. Second is how it looks. I could just stare at this car for hours.
What have you done to it?
Neal - Most of the modifications are appearance related. But it has Tubi exhaust and Fabspeed test pipes (cat deletes) to really make the engine sing. I have added a Renown Lp570 nose, carbon fiber side sills, OEM Scorpius (Lp570) rims with Toyo R888 tires, and finally the RevoZport Super Trofeo kit in gloss carbon fiber (engine bonnet, lip spoiler, wing). My goal was to make the car look as identical as possible to another Gallardo model called the Super Trofeo Stradale.
Leo - The previous owner put over $30k in mods into the car. I was fortunate enough to buy the car exactly how I wanted it, and haven't had to do anything to it.
Any future plans?
Neal - Pretty much done with it. Not much nothing more I can do to the car short of dropping $50K+ on an Underground Racing twin turbo kit.
Leo - If I keep the car I will eventually put Superleggera side sills, and a Superlegerra wing on it. I have been seriously considering a 6 Speed Lamborghini Murcielago. In a perfect world I'd like to keep Midnight and also get a 6 Speed Murci, but that just isn't feasible right now. We'll see what the future holds...
- - photos // james sanny | owner // neal b. & leo r.