TimeOut

"...my relatively flippant post would elicit such a response. Perhaps it could have been worded better. "

No worries, I enjoy a bit more engagement than "wow, nice pics!" or "bah humbug, another Limited Edition?" 

"My preference for Bob Wallace? I'll just put it down to Antipodean bias. And stirring. And a dislike for LE's and special names on cars.

I actually think we're on the same page. "

This side track may already be far more off track than 90% of the readers care to know about, but oh, well! 

I've been a Lambo fan for quite some time, and probably have taken that interest further than most (but certainly not as far as some) Bob Wallace was hardly just a test driver; he was also a de facto part of the development engineering department as well, giving not only critical seat of the pants feedback, but actually solutions as well, while he was at the factory.  Thus, even up till recently, I held Bob on a pedestal in the world of Lamborghini.  I can say that not all Lambophiles who are aware of Bob's contributions and roles put him on quite the same plane...some were actually quite dismissive (especially based on recent past conduct, of which I am personally not familiar...) Someone probably said i best - "over the past many years, Bob Wallace has not been about Lamborghini, but more about Bob Wallace..."

Good reasons or not, reasonable or not, this sort of conduct easily explains why there is no Bob Wallace Edition today, and why there is a Valentino Balboni (whether it makes sense to name any model after a living or no longer living individual, or not. Enzo?  Didn't make sense to me...but what do I know?

"While loyalty and history with a company are important, test driving, is hardly glamorous. I know a few as well as a few test riders. It's not all spring rates and damping curves and moving roll-centres a few mm. After all, a car really built to Balboni's preferences is likely to swap ends on a normal driver...."

Not sure what you meant there, and would like to understand more, as I think you have something interesting to say.  And, in fact, your ending words above ARE what the car is like...it IS more likely to swap ends than the four wheel drive models that now monopolize all Lambo models.  Doesn't that fact alone surprise you? It sure the hell interests me, as an old school driver who's not that accomplished...

"It's interesting that Lamborghini has honoured one of theirs. I get so bored by brand hyerpbole that any Limited Edition brings out the cynic in me. (Do you think they did the car first, and named it second, or the other way around, etc, etc). I may well be underestimating Balboni's contribution, but if they honour Balboni, who else should they be honouring? "

He's retiring / retired, after 40 years. The last person who actually worked on the Miura retired a few years before.  The "old school" are, by the unrelenting march of time, "retiring." So, like most such things in the world of commemoration, many factors conspired to serrendipitously result in the Balboni edition.

I too am bored by marketing artifice and contrived Limited Editions and instant collectibles. I find the Balboni Edition interesting, caters to my idiosyncratic preferences for driving and handling dynamics, and because I am acquainted with Mr. Balboni and know of his work (he wouldn't remember me from Adam but hey, that's my problem, not his) I find the tribute fitting and touching, as well - cherry on the whipped cream.

"As for the car itself, I haven't driven one. Though, I am happy that they have reverted to RWD, I have trouble appreciating modern supercars...

Does any of this help clear up the context? "

Yep, you've confirmed to me you're a crusty curmudgeon who wants to "bah humbug" shoot first and ask questions later.

No problem with that, just so I am clear on that.

And yep, we need more of your sort around here, and elsewhere, so long as the cynicism/skepticism doesn't overwhelm any vestiges of enthusiasm, AND is borne on substance/experience, not mind wanking that should remain in the privacy of one's bedroom.

(in case it wasn't clear, I respect your POV, and think, unlike most, you deserve, through experience, that respect.)

Cheers,

TM