Sitting Down With Mitja Borkert, Head of Centro Stile Lamborghini

I had the great fortune of spending time with Mitja Borkert, head of Centro Stile Lamborghini, on his home turf inside the Centro Stile presentation hall. We spoke about the brand new Huracán Sterrato, the Terzo Millennio, inspiration, future designs and the importance of hand sketching. Enjoy the video! Continue reading “Sitting Down With Mitja Borkert, Head of Centro Stile Lamborghini”

Enjoying MR’s Lamborghini Terzo Millennio Scale Model

I remember it vividly; it was a sparkling red Lamborghini Countach scale model and I was ten years old, and all I wanted in this world at that very moment was that very model car. This is my earliest memory of what has become a rather pronounced interest for cars, and a good scale model car still gives me lots of enjoyment. Thus, I was thrilled to find the new 1:18 Lamborghini Terzo Millennio finished on my last visit to MR Collection Models. Since the Terzo Millennio was never meant for production and doesn’t have an interior, this scale model offers a unique insight into Lamborghini’s design ideas. Continue reading “Enjoying MR’s Lamborghini Terzo Millennio Scale Model”

The Fabulous World of Marcello Gandini at the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin

Marcello Gandini, who celebrated his 80th birthday last fall, has made one of the most significant impacts on car design during his more than 60 years long quest for the best design, be it for extreme super cars or for practical city cars. Oh, and he has drawn helicopters, trucks, sake glasses and a villa too, so it would be fair to say that he thinks outside the box. Continue reading “The Fabulous World of Marcello Gandini at the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin”

This Lamborghini Aventador S Went to Geneva (And Back)

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)”

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”