24 Hours To Live: What Would You Do If You Had A Lamborghini LP640 Roadster For A Day?
At the behest of my editor, I’ve been given a cherry assignment, but I need your help to make the experience as worthwhile as possible.
On very short notice, I’ve been promised the keys to Lamborghini’s latest and greatest, the Murcielago LP640 Roadster. I’ve got a gas card, a Business AmEx, and a little more than 24-hours of free-play with the hero car in the vicinity of Orange County, California next week. In that time, I need to wring out the car to get a driving impression for an article in the March issue of WINDING ROAD and find some suitably photogenic locations to do the car justice. Needless to say, I’m agog at the prospects.
If you were in my shoes, what would you do with a 640 horsepower, all-wheel drive, topless four-wheeled sex goddess? What specific roads would you drive it on? What would you see? Where would you shoot Lambo’s latest raging bull?
Yes, I’m a lucky bastard, and I’m as shocked as any of you are. My editor can expect extra-nice fruitcake this year… maybe one of those fancy ones out of a mail-order catalog.
Please leave your suggestions (serious, wacky, whatever you like) in “Comments,
Comments
Dan
Whatever you do, don't wreck it - the other autoblogs will be all over you like green on grass if you do.
Seyth
Unfortunately, 24 hours won't be enough time for you to drive it to my house.
I might be tempted to get as far south of the Mexican border as I possibly could (of course that's what I say about everything).
detroit9000
I would pick up my special lady friend and drive over to the in-and-out burger in North Hollywood, near Radford. I would buy a few burgers, some beers, and have a few laughs.
Probably I would also go and photograph it in front of the residence of Arthur Digby Sellers.
Ray Wert
Paukert's gonna cra-ash! Paukert's gonna cra-ash! Paukert's gonna cra-ash! Paukert's gonna...
Seriously, if you die -- can I have your laptop?
Seyth
Oh yeah, that's a good call by Dan.
Jeff
Road trip!
Take it up to Santa Cruz. Starting from the Municipal Wharf, drive down the length of West Cliff Drive. Take lots of pictures. You have to turn right onto Swanton at the end of West Cliff. Left on Delaware, right on Natural Bridges Dr. Right on Mission St, left on Western. Left on Empire Grade Rd.
Here's where the real fun begins. If I ever go back to take pictures of this road, I'll submit it to WR.
Take Empire Grade up to Jamison Creek Rd and turn right. Turn left on Big Basin Way. Turn left on Hwy 9, then right on Skyline Blvd. This becomes Summit Rd. Stay on Summit past Hwy 17. Summit Rd turns into Soquel San Jose Rd. This intersects with Hwy 1 in Capitola.
If you have extra time, seek out Glen Canyon Rd and Granite Creek Rd.
SAM
Wreck it!!!
Stanislaw BENIOWSKI
What a joy! Simply I am more than Lambo enthusiast!!!
Seriously, I simply love the Bulls on wheels - frankly, since 1971 - when I saw the very first photopictures of the marvel the Countach at Geneva Car Show. All my adult life I was dreaming only about taking this marvelous steering wheel with my both hands and push the throttle, just a little... Once I even reached to climb into the driving seat of a white Countach at Lamborghini Cars Saloon in Paris, more than twenty years ago... And than came Diablo, and Murcielago, and finally the LP640 Roadster! I did not mentionned Gallardo as I did not mention Uracco, Espada, Miura, LP400 - Cheetah... Oh, perhaps the Miura Anniversary replica... But back to your LP640. I never been to California as I never been to USA at all because I live in Central Europe - in Poland and I have never had occasion to cross the Atlantic... But once I travelled to Sweden and had a fantastic trip to little isle at the Baltic Sea called Oland. The island is so small that I wonder if there is a runway for something bigger than a small Cessna airplane but the place, the environment, the calm and that something special in the air all create a unthinkable background, especially for this piece of bull's hot heart on four wheels, that the contradictory contrast would be really explosive! The isle of Oland is a micronic authonomic country, some half - way between Stockholm in Sweden and Helsinki in Finnland. May be it would be a place for some Koenigsegg shoot-outs, but I would rather bring here this lovish Italian buty for even more tension! Maybe there is some ressambling place in the Northern California? Let me apologize for the quality of my written (and also spoken) English but as you might guess I am not the English native speaker but your question rised my mind and my both hands to write these words. I am your constant reader for almost two years now and let me wish you all the best in your splendid work, Mery Christmas and Happy New Year 2007. Stanislaw BENIOWSKI, Polish architect.
Reilly Brennan
What? A Wert comment? He must think you're driving a DAF.
RPB
Matt
Tell your wife/girlfriend/sig. other, that you want to make love to the most beautiful woman in the world, inside the most beautiful car in the world, then take her for a "ride"
Zoomzit
Lamborghini's are absurd. They seem to be the creation of some oversexed pre-pubescent teen. Paradoxically, they also kick ass.
The same goes for Vegas. Go to Vegas. At super legal speeds, go to Vegas a la Fear and Loathing in LV.
If any vehicle deserves the Hunter S. Thompson treatment... this is it.
Bryan
I suggest you take freeways up to PCH in Santa Monica. Drive PCH north until you reach Topanga Canyon Blvd. Make a right on Topanga Canyon until you reach Old Topanga, where you'll make a left, taking Old Topanga until you reach Mullholland Hwy. Hang another left, and take great advantage of the passing lanes. Make a left on Malibu Canyon, and drive back to the coast (picturesque photo-ops the whole way). When you get to the coast (PCH again) hang a right, continue up to Santa Barbara. There's nothing classier than taking your Lamborghini to a taco-stand, so grab an afternoon snack at Superica Taco (622 N. Milpas street). Then, hop on the 101 heading South and show off your use of the carpool lane.
MahatmaManic
Drive it up Highway 1 to Santa Cruz. Then take it out to play in the Santa Cruz Mountains. If you want picturesque spots to shoot the car, I don't think you can do much better than Big Sur, the Santa Cruz boardwalk/pier, and the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Stay someplace in Santa Cruz County overnight, and then haul ass down one of the bigger, faster highways going back to LA.
Rob
I would use that Amex card, rent myself a cargo plane and get myself and that car down the "The Dragon" in Deals Gap. http://www.tailofthedragon.com.
It has to be done...
DailyDoser
3 words:
Bewbie Prints Onthehood
RevGonzo
Zoomzit hit the nail on the head. You have this glorious machine full of all those lights and dials that you could never hope to understand. Furthermore, the car is a car that you will never own. The only people who will be able to actually own this car are greedy swine who don't deserve such beauty and perfection. Get a suitcase, fill it up, go to Vegas. Buy the ticket, take the ride.
Larsen
Act like it's the last day of your life. Just have in mind though that in the end, “Lagartijo
Tom
Why not try just being yourself, and seeing how people react and the assumptions they make about you based on the fact that you drive such a gratuitous status symbol?
Then take some nice photos of it in scenic spots
Just an idea
Weber
I'd call your Publisher and graciously offer him the use of the car for 24 hours in your stead. It's a very slick career move that might be viewed as such, but the minute he gets the car, it will be forgotten and you will be on your career fast track.
A succession of similar moves over the ensuing months ahead will net you big raises, and maybe you'll be able to buy one of these puppies and have it to yourself for more than 24 hours. Think long term, Paukert.
etyer
Being in Orange County you will have to deal with horrible traffic. I would avoid the freeways for the joyriding part. My brother and I rented a Dodge Viper in 1994 with 500 bHp and spent most of our time in traffic.
I recommend heading for the hills! Either to the East in Orange County or way up north in the high dessert area off Highway 14. Take San Francisquito canyon (rarely driven by anyone). Nice tight turns in the beginning and end, but some real long straightaways that you will see go by in a flash. There is also Lake Hughes road, or just head out to Lancaster area and take any of the lettered streets east of the city. You will have miles and miles of straightaways with no cross streets. Level roads, too. Otherwise, I would say take it to a track and really let 'er rip.
Picture spots: off hwy 2 in the Angeles National Forest; 6th street bridge facing west (towards downtown, where ALL the car commercials are filmed); Santa Monica Pier; Point Dum; Hermosa Beach; Ferrari dealership in Beverly Hills (Pull up and LAUGH); 2nd street tunnel under Bunker Hill downtown (really cool, long tunnel); Dodger Stadium (set up some cones in the parking lot and go for it). These are just a few ideas. I'm sure whatever you do, you will have a blast!
pFizzleFunkenstein
Ditto the Santa Cruz idea left here.
But to get to santa Cruz, take PCH (HWY 1 up north) all the way up through Big Sur in Monterey county. Make that your first leg, then make HWY 9 your second leg the next day (after staying in Santa Cruz or Monterey for the evening). When your day is almost up hop on the 5 and bust buttocks home.
mike
You could hop on 101N to 680 and come pick me up...
That would be grand
matt
drive up PCH through malibu, cut over to the 101 northbound at the las posas rd exit in camarillo, pick my ass up in santa barbara, drive up state street to hwy 154 and grab lunch at the famous cold springs tavern...done.
Crazy
Get a friend to take a picture of you jumping the thing over a set of steep rail road tracks.
Patrick
Drive by Dan Neil's house and honk the horn a bunch.
Josh
I would charter a cargo jet with the Amex, have it ready to go the second you get the car...and fly that puppy to germany. Run the Autobahn for about 6 hours and then fly my ass back home.
BlueDevil
You should make some cardboard scoops and try to fool some spy photographers!
Rick
Take the American Express card and rent Willow Springs Raceway for the day.
Make sure you also rent a crash crew and ambulance.
BlueDevil
Drive it around with cardboard-fabbed scoops and some black vinyl. That's always a funny prank.
Josh
Wait...wait...what am I thinking...SoCal? Irwindale Speedway...just hope you get it for figure 8 racing night.
Patrick (the other one)
The hills east of Malibu is a good idea except that getting there will most likely be a nightmare. Head south on the 5 until you hit Ortega Canyon(76) and then head east. It is twisty and turney and fun. You could also head southwest to Palomar Mountain in San Diego county, it is a place where a lot of bikers go to hit the twistys. Do that then cruise PCH home heading from San Clemente all the way north to Huntington Beach.
Scott
Sell it!
MightyMike
Brunch in La Jolla, then up to Idyllwild. Nuff said.
Fred Staffieri
If I could afford a car like this I would have my own private jet to fly the car and me over to the German Autobahn to open it up until I loose my nerve which would be before I lost my HP.
Doctor Gonzo
Step 1) Get a gigantic syringe.
Step 2) Get a quart of Wild Turkey.
Step 3) Fill syringe with Wild Turkey.
Step 4) Inject Wild Turkey just above your navel.
Step 5) WRECK THAT SUCKER!
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Step 6) Enjoy being a living legend.
el Jefe
1) Call insurance company. Ask for $0 deductible on your automotive policy and add el Jefe as the primary beneficiary to your life insurance policy.
2) Cruise your local prostitute pick-up zone. Pick up tranny hooker. Bang tranny hooker in the motel parking lot.
3) Kill tranny hooker and dump the body. Keep the head as a trophy.
4) Go to local army surplus store. Buy used flak jacket, combat helmet and knee guards.
5) Go to liquor store. Purchase a bottle of their finest vodka and one bottle of the ghettoist malt liquor they have. Ask for paper bags, not plastic.
6) Find a stretch of highway with at least 1 mile of open road. Park car, drink entire bottle of vodka using the malt liquor as a chaser. Wait 20 minutes.
7) Strap on helmet, flak jacket and knee guards. Start car, accelerate down the road, plow Lamborghini into telephone pole.
8) Pull yourself from the wreckage, flee the scene if able.
Aidan
Figure out another equally absurd car that you've always wanted to take for a test drive. A Ferarri, or perhaps a Maybach. Show up at the dealership in the Lambo and watch the salesmen jump to attention.
Or, drive to Vegas, have a snack, drive to Reno through the desert at ridiculous speeds, stop at Tahoe via Mt. Rose and take some photos (and a nap on my couch while I steal the beast for a few), then go down 80, turn left onto I-5, floor it, and be home in time for dinner.
Joe
Drive it like you're gonna break it!
Really.
Josh
Vegas.
BT
Let's be practical: As much fun as that car would be to push through the twisties, you don't own it and, therefore, you can't afford to do any drifiting -- public roads?? (uh, sorry boss, but I lost it when the rear tires hit a patch of brake fluid...) So,unless you are planning on spending your day at a closed track with no one around to see that beauty: Off to Los Angeles with you!! 1) Sadly, some women are that shallow, and God love every one of them because matrimony is not your goal; 2) The nearby roads are fun.
Ben
cover it in camo......
Andy
I like the S.C. ideas, I live in Santa Barbara, and this is what i suggest:
Haul ass out of LA, up 101N to S.B (about 1 hour in that car) take 154 up into Santa Ynez Valley, stop off at one of the vineyard, i could recommend several. then continue up 101N until San Luis Obispo and get off and take 1 up through Big Sur, to Monterey, Carmel and Santa Cruz. Dinner over looking the ocean, at one of the many places along the way.
A lot of driving sure, but totally worth it in that car.
Enjoy!
(p.s. if you want to stop by and pick me up in SB that is totally cool)
Davey G.
Chris.
Obviously, the vehicle should be photographed in front of the Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro. And then hoon the living crap out of it over Decker Canyon. From O.C., profile your way up Ocean through Long Beach, catch the 47 and blast over the Vincent Thomas bridge to Pedro. (The bridge is featured in both Cannonball Run II and the O.G. Gone in 60 Seconds, as well as many other Hollywood productions.) Hop off at Harbor Blvd, cut down to 22nd and hang a right, meet me for lunch at Rex's at 22nd and Pacific, and then continue on to Gaffey, hang a left and follow the signs to the Bell. After that, run it across the Rancho Palos Verdes Peninsula, following the coastline as much as possible, up PCH and over Decker to Thousand Oaks. Then roll back down into Hollywood for an evening of stylin' and profilin'. I recommend dinner at The Gardens of Taxco in West Hollywood. Harper & Santa Monica. And from there, you're central to a ton of scenic, LA-type locations to head to for nighttime shots. The Sunset Strip around 11pm is pretty much mandatory for reaction power and to see how the thing handles traffic.
And buy Reilly a really, really nice cake.
Rök.
DGJ.
Jody
Two words.... "Track Time"
Uncle Mongo
Pick up P.J. O'rourke and inspire him to write a companion piece to the one he wrote about the Ferrari in "Republican Party Reptile."
Hotrod
Sunset Strip in Hollywood on a Friday or Saturday night. Girls will throw their vaginas at you.
Joel Ulsh
I'll give you my address and we can hide it in my garage!
Matt Weber- Age 11
Tell the Lamborghini guys to let my Dad borrow one so he can drive me to school in it.
Cannonball
The record time, NY to LA is 32 hours and 51 minutes. By my math, you'd only have to average 120 MPH for the 24 hours to make it to NY in the time you're allowed the car. Surely given the improvement in roads since 1979, and with a car as impressive as the Lambo that should be a relatively easy task.
Send your editor over with a camera man to get the look on your face when he tells them you have it safe and sound ready to be returned, they just need to get the keys at Spago.
Trust me, it will be the best article of the year. Perhaps the decade.
simon
Well, if you do go up highway 9, I could always follow you up in my Evo ;)
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