Balboni was the legendary test driver of the Italian car manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini SpA. He served for the Bolognese supercar company for 40 years and retired in 2009 due to Italian government work regulations.
He’s one of the living legends of Lamborghini: since 1973, he has tested all Lamborghini prototypes, and sampled most of the road cars produced, before they are delivered to the customers. Balboni has reportedly driven 80% of all Lamborghini cars ever built .
To pay tribute him, Lamborghini has given his name to the latest version of the Gallardo line-up: LP550-2 Valentino Balboni.
Now I think to myself, I will possibly never ever be able to drive a Lambo, just like 99.999999999% of the whole world population. And this man had been able drive 80% of all the cars ever built, over the last 40 years. That is a priceless privilege. But how might it feel? He should have gotten numb about other cars in the world. Maybe he’s never got jealous about his neighbor’s new Mercedes. He’s never had an interest at the car advertisements on newspapers, never got excited about what’s shown on that week’s Top Gear or Fifth Gear show… Anyway, it should be a great thing have your name labeled on a super car.
