“Welcome to Bologna, Mr. Byberg.” With these kind words, a very special week was initiated. Half an hour later, my driver Piero parked his car outside the Automobili Lamborghini headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, and I had already noticed a striking blue Aventador S parked up front. And, as I was greeted by the kind and efficient receptionists and scribbled my name in the required locations on the agreement, I couldn’t help but feeling very, very lucky. I mean, having an Aventador S at your disposal for five days is pretty much fantastic. Never mind the frisky temperatures and somewhat wintery forecasts; this was going to be good! Continue reading “This Lamborghini Aventador S Went to Geneva (And Back)”
Category: Photography
It was a Bertone Kind of Day
The name Bertone has a certain familiar ring to it in the car design world, with a history spanning more than 100 years. All time greats such as Lamborghini Miura and Countach, Lancia Stratos and Alfa Romeo Giulia SS were born at Bertone, and a large number of concept cars and production cars alike were created there over the years. Sadly, the original Bertone family company came to a halt in 2012, and their collection had to be sold. Some special cars were sold separately, but the large bulk of the collection was sold as one, and it is now possible to see this collection at the Volandia museum near Malpensa airport outside Milan. Oh, and Bertone has been revived – more about that further down. Continue reading “It was a Bertone Kind of Day”
The First Lamborghini & Design Concorso d’Eleganza at Neuchâtel
Over dinner on the eve of the very first Lamborghini & Design Concorso d’Eleganza, I could sense that Enrico Maffeo, head of Lamborghini’s Polo Storico, was relieved that the event was about to unfold. Months of planning would come to fruition, and precious cars from all over Europe and even from Japan would join in for a weekend dedicated to Lamborghini and Le Corbusier. Continue reading “The First Lamborghini & Design Concorso d’Eleganza at Neuchâtel”
Sights to Behold at Concours of Elegance
I walked the quarter mile from the gates, through the courtyards and passages of Hampton Court Palace to reach the The Great Fountain Garden at the back and was met by truly a sight to behold: The five Jaguar D-Types that finished 1-2-3-4-6 at the 1957 Le Mans 24 Hours race, all lined up, just like that. Continue reading “Sights to Behold at Concours of Elegance”
Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera – of Flying Stars and Saucers
The last two years have brought me close to the world of Touring Superleggera in various occasions and settings, from factory visits to a ride in a one-off Lamborghini by Touring. It’s fair to say that Touring has made its mark on Italian car history, being active from its start in the late 1920’s until the mid-1960’s and again in the modern resurrection of the brand, which now keeps the coachbuilding tradition alive in its factory just outside Milan. Continue reading “Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera – of Flying Stars and Saucers”
Keeping the Huracán Close to Casa, Dolce Casa
Hmm, I didn’t see that coming. I had just returned the Huracán at the Lamborghini factory and figured out that I had done 400 km in two days. Nothing unusual about that, but I then began thinking about where I’d been and which roads I’d taken. Not once had I been on the autostrada, and, more remarkable, I hadn’t been further than 25 km away from the factory at any time over those two days. Continue reading “Keeping the Huracán Close to Casa, Dolce Casa”
Now, Where Did I Leave That Boutonnière? Villa d’Este – a Tale of Style
What can I say? The recent Villa d’Este weekend saw a display of motoring vehicles that would leave any enthusiast in a futile search for words to adequately describe it all. From Ballot to Hispano-Suiza, Shelby Cobra to Siata, Ferrari to Lamborghini, the grounds of this magnificent villa were housing the very finest automotive silver for the annual Concorso d’Eleganza. Continue reading “Now, Where Did I Leave That Boutonnière? Villa d’Este – a Tale of Style”
Over the Alps and Across the Plains in the Mercedes-AMG GT S
It was almost too good to be true. My contact at the Daimler HQ in Stuttgart had just informed me that a Mercedes-AMG GT S would be ready for me upon my arrival in Stuttgart in late October and that the car was mine to use for two full weeks! My slightly far-fetched idea of doing a grand tour in a sports car out of season actually hit home with Daimler. Continue reading “Over the Alps and Across the Plains in the Mercedes-AMG GT S”
Here comes… Cheetah! Lamborghini’s Off-Road Genesis
In the late 1970’s, the US Army were in the process of finding a new multi-purpose vehicle, and one of the contestants for the bid was a small company called MTI, who developed the Cheetah. However, long story short, the US Army went with AM General’s offer and MTI looked further, all the way to Italy, to be precise. Continue reading “Here comes… Cheetah! Lamborghini’s Off-Road Genesis”
Zonda R, 911 GT1, P1 GTR; Heard of the Blancpain Ultracar Sports Club?
If you like seeing the rarest and most extreme of modern hypercars, both stationary and in action, you should consider attending one of the events of the Blancpain Ultracar Sports Club. This club offers owners of automotive unicorns the opportunity to let their cars stretch their legs on track on some of the best racing venues available. Continue reading “Zonda R, 911 GT1, P1 GTR; Heard of the Blancpain Ultracar Sports Club?”