Mark’s Lamborghini Murciélago

MEMBER’S CAR: LAMBORGHINI MURCIÉLAGO

We head nearly 20 years back into the Lamborghini history books with member Mark and his manual Murciélago to find out what it’s like to live with and how it stacks up against modern machinery.

Have you always been into cars?

To be honest, I’ve been into cars since I could hold a Corgi car and power a Scalextric. My grandparents lived in Sevenoaks and you could hear the racing at Brands Hatch from there, so I’d ask to go there regularly to see the cars race, although in true parent-upsetting manner, the car park was where the better cars were often found, and even at events, that applies to this day!

Tell us about your car history.

My first car was a Mk2 Capri Ghia followed by a Fiat Strada 105TC then the almost obligatory Escort XR3i. After a few family wagons, I had a B7 Audi RS4 Avant then three Porsche Boxsters in a row. Two Lotus Exiges followed, NA then supercharged, and after those came a few more quirky cars: A Magnum Cobra kit car, 1985 Lotus Esprit Turbo, Jensen Interceptor, Audi UR Quattro Group B rally car and 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1.5. Then there’s of course the Murciélago and something more modern in the shape of a McLaren MP4-12C.

Why the Murciélago?

I’ve loved them since I first saw one, although before my own, I had only ever seen one other on the road. I had been wanting one since about 2002 when they came out, but since I couldn’t afford one back then, I finally got the car in 2016 from a guy who came recommended as a ‘Lambo-head’. His wife was sadly suffering cancer and they decided to sell up and enjoy not having to look after a big yellow peril. He’d had it for a number of years and pretty much neglected it, so a lot has had to be done since I bought it. It’s the iconic yellow, 100% standard, manual and, well, it was love at first sight and sound. Even now, every time I start the car, the neighbour texts to tell me not to be quiet, in fact the opposite! For me, it absolutely had to be a manual. After having the 12C with an amazingly fast auto, it’s having to think about what you’re doing that makes driving the Murci such a joy. The timed gearshifts, the ‘click clack’ of the change and the frustration that it hates changing until the gearbox is warm.

What is it like to drive?

Well, my Mrs frankly hates it. She says its too low, she needs a cushion to see out and struggles to get in and out in a dignified manner, too noisy so I cant hear her speak, and too fast — basically all the things I love about it. You can’t go anywhere without people looking and talking about it, and you even get Hells Angels giving a thumbs up. My greatest joy is to take people out or for them to sit in it, just as much as driving out on a crazy day with . The naturally-aspirated V12 is simply the best and the manual gearbox is amazing when warm. It’s not too hard to drive and not too heavy, very easy in fact. It’s very grunty and can pootle along nicely, however if you really want its best, you need the upper end of the revs and then she howls.

Compared to the 12C, it rides very hard and braking has to be considered way in advance of modern cars, but cornering is great. The fourwheel-drive system does give some understeer, but overall it handles very well and keeps up with most of the modern group of cars bar the braking. The traction control is way too invasive so I don’t ever drive with it on; it’s the first button to press when you start it up! It makes me feel like a big kid to be honest. You get sweaty-palmed with excitement when you plan to go out, you’re exhausted when you get back and there’s a lot of adrenalin in between. A track parade lap at Auto Italia nearly saw me off at one of the corners thanks to a bit of understeer, and I get out to Goodwood Breakfast Clubs and drives. The best ones for me are the early mornings or evenings around the roads of the South Downs. I’d love to take the car on a European tour one day, who knows when these days!

What is it like to live with?

She’s on my drive and shouts at me to go for a drive about two or three times a week usually. I’ve even loaded it up with my kitesurfing gear and headed to the beach! It’s actually very usable; you get used to the width and I’ll often go to Tesco to get the basics, so the best approach is to not be afraid to use it. Reliability hasn’t been too bad, but like any old car of this sort, it needs attending to every now and then, plus battery conditioners and lots of driving to keep it going. After spending around £30,000 on underside clean ups, powder coating and so on, I’d have to say running costs can be high for non-sorted cars. I was aware that mine would need some work though, and once sorted, I’d say it costs about £1-2k per year really. Mike at Carrera just serviced the car for under £1k, which I’d say is fair considering. The only mods I’ve made to the car are an sticker, and I had to replace the cats so I put 200 cell Fabspeeds in, that’s it.

Is it a keeper?

I’d like to keep her for sure, but life is kind of fluid at best and I’m not sure what could replace it. I did look at the Aventador and like them, but they’re not quite the same and I’m not really drawn to any new cars. I like McLarens, but after the 12C I’m put off by issues. I’d quite like a Backdraft Cobra with a supercharged LS8 in it, or to go back to another Exige. We have a 1956 Oldsmobile rat rod in the family and that takes up some time, so I may supercharge that to keep me busy!

For more, watch our DRIVEN video due out Friday 23rd April at 5:30pm

Where will your next Where will your next road trip take you? road trip take you?

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