Valentino Balboni driving a Lamborghini Miura while simultaneously showing off the fact that he has the world's greatest job. (Copyright © 2008 Winston Goodfellow)
The 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance starts August 17th, 2008 with nine seldom-seen Lamborghinis gracing the green at the famous golf course. This year the Lamborghini class will benefit from the knowledgeable eye of Judge Valentino Balboni.
What makes him so special? Just the simple matter of working for the legendary Italian sports car maker for the past 40-years. Starting as an apprentice in 1968, he has worked his way up to the position of Chief Test Driver and Head of Restoration/Customer Service.
Balboni took his first test drive in a 1973 Miura SV on September 5th, 1973. "I didn't realize exactly what was going on," he said. "I thought it was not really me driving a Miura by myself past the company gate. I remember the feeling I was approaching curves too fast, but I wasn't at all. I was so respectful of the car's performance, but the engine's sound was making me smile the whole time."
Forty years later, Balboni has tested an estimated 80% of all Lamborghinis. Re-read that statement ... I will wait. I wish I could estimate that I have tested 50% of all Huffy bikes ever made, never mind Lamborghinis.
Among the Lamborghinis that Balboni will cast his eye on at Pebble Beach are the earliest known 350GT, the earliest known Miura, and several one-offs with special coachwork. Judging his beloved Lamborghinis at the Concours is a dream come-true. "It will be difficult to judge them because they are all authentic and beautiful, but I am happy they asked me to do it. The list of Lamborghinis is very impressive, and I know every screw, every part, and detail of the cars, so I'm looking forward to judging them."
(Courtesy of Valentino Balboni)
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