A new evolution of the Lamborghini Aventador was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, named the Centenario, for the 100th anniversary of the birth of company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini. Looking at photos, it was hard to see how this really fit with the time and the legacy of Ferruccio Lamborghini. Besides that, to put it plainly, the design was polarizing. The U.S. unveiling of a replica of that car, however, just happened to line up with a vacation that my wife and I were taking to California. I decided to see it in person, to see what it really looked like.

Lamborghini Cruise-in

The morning began ugly, gray, and overcast, but that didn’t stop many Lamborghini owners from showing up for the cruise-in. Models present included Lamborghini’s first production car, the 350 GT, as well as Espada, Jalpa, Diablo, Murcielago, Gallardo, and Aventador. If you follow Lamborghini, some of these particular examples may seem familiar.

 

James Chen’s Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole

One such example was that of James Chen of Axis Wheels. I have been reading about Chen since the days of Sport Compact Car, when he entered what was known as the Ultimate Street Car Challenge. This particular car popped up on Petrolicious a few years ago and it’s always a good day when you get to see a Countach. Chen opened the door and leaned out of the side of the Countach to carefully guide it into the parking space.

Who showed up soon after but none other than R.J. de Vera. I was able to meet R.J. later that day and he was very friendly. We talked cars for a little while and something he said about how newer cars really need to be seen in person before they can really be judged really clicked with me.

The classics, however, will always look good…

Back to the Countach, this is a stunning example in white of the 5000 Quattrovalvole or 5000QV for short. In this author’s opinion, this is the best version of the Countach. Some like the cleaner lines that the car started with and detest the wing, some like the flashier looks of the 25th Anniversary model. I fall in between. It’s just right in my opinion, with the wing and fender flares, but without all of the added body moulding that the Anniversary model brought with it.

Lamborghini 350 GT

The 350 GT was, again, the first production car produced by Lamborghini. This example seems to be factory original in appearance. One of just 120 350 GTs produced before the engine was bored out to become the 400 GT.

“The wild car guys descend upon their prey.”

It was quite a contrast with it being right next to the Murcielago SV.

Lamborghini Diablo Roadster VT

Another rare model was this Diablo Roadster VT, one of about 200 produced. I didn’t really take a scientific poll, but most Lamborghinis that showed up to the cruise-in were manual transmission models, and this is one of them.


The Diablo still seems to have one of the angriest sounding exhausts of any of the Lamborghini. It had heads turning when it popped and snarled up to the roof top.

Batventador

This Batgirl-themed Aventador, known as Batventador, was brought by a woman who (from the looks of her Facebook page) appears to use the car for charity events and gumball-type rally driving.

Batventador appeared to have a bat-themed wrap and even a vanity plate with “BAT-SV” spelled out. It was tough to get a clear shot of this unique car because so many seeming to want to get close to it.

This red chrome Gallardo was wrapped by AeroWorkZ Motorsport.

More Lamborghinis arrived throughout the event, but soon enough, it was time to head inside for the big unveiling.

United States Unveiling of the Lamborghini Centenario

 

Adam Langsbard, Chief Marketing Officer for the Petersen started things off by welcoming everyone to the event and spoke about the newly renovated museum.

Adam then handed things off to Dan Greenawalt, Creative Director at Turn 10 Studios, who produces the Forza Motorsport series of games. Dan was there because the event was presented by Xbox and Lamborghini. He spoke about how the Forza series allows players to customize and drive more models of Lamborghinis than any other racing game series.

Dan soon handed things off to Lamborghini’s new CEO, Stefano Domenicali, formerly of Ferrari. Domenicali did not waste much time before the car was unveiled and a feeding frenzy of photography began.

Everyone gathered around the car to get some of the first photographs of the car on U.S. soil. In person it really does, in my opinion, look better than it photographs. Perhaps R.J. was right.



These are the images I captured of the new car amongst the crowd.







In person, the overhangs seem less severe than they did at first glance and there’s less “dopey catfish” in the face and more sinister aggression. If you get a chance to see it in person for yourself, don’t hesitate to catch a glimpse.
Text and Photography by Bryce Womeldurf
Copyright 2016 Hooniverse/Bryce Womeldurf