We’re joined by guest journalist Phil Seymour on REVView, who on this occasion looks at this club member’s fabulous Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, which celebrated 50 years of Lamborghini, in the stunning colour of Arancio Borealis.

Phil Seymour – Independent Automotive Journalist

Drives: Ferrari Roma Spider

So what is this about?

Frankly, it’s all about you and your car, and the first one up is this Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder owned by club legend Tony (and Cheryl) Gibbs.

When I first met Tony and Cheryl they were driving in their beloved Maserati Granturismo. However, Cheryl had a hankering for a Lamborghini Countach since childhood! As a Countach was far out of reach, Tony couldn’t resist this stunning run-out version of the Gallardo….

For the geeks (sorry, I know you and I are all geeks) the full tech spec is at the end of this Revview. I didn’t want to make it too boring with the upfront stuff about engine size, bhp and torque but those details are crucial but they follow rather than drive this Revview, this is all about the emotional ties, how it feels, what makes Tony and Cheryl smile when they take time to enjoy their beautiful Lambo

This car was produced in the period we many critics (including myself) thought that the blend of technology, handling, power and pleasure were at a peak

2013 preceded the strict regulations around default warnings, emissions and dare I say it, “over the top” driver awareness systems that stifle the experience that more mature drivers want and care for. Having said that, I’m guilty of exactly that new spec of car, I’m hoping to get used to it!

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Q&A with Owner

Q1: So Tony (and Cheryl) tell me about your special edition Gallardo and first up have you given it a name? You know what I mean, is it “Lisa the Lambo”? or perhaps even “Eduardo the Gallardo”

A1: I just call it the Lambo. However, Cheryl calls it Fleur (a name made up from the registration number).

Q2: What first drew you to this car – was it all about the shape, the sound, the driving experience or all of the above

A2: As with many petrol heads, I would watch early episodes of Top Gear on YouTube and watched many times over, the review that Jeremy Clarkson did of the Gallardo Spyder Gen2 (aka LP). He hooned around the track at Dunsfold, screaming that he loved it and highly regarded its Audi dependable underpinnings yet still a supercar with an Italian soul. He said it was “desperately pretty.”

Q3. Has it lived up to your initial expectations – surpassed them or having regrets?

A3: We did run both the Maserati and the Lambo (Fleur) for a time, just to make sure we could get used to and enjoy Lambo ownership. Needless to say, that we just have the Lambo now with four joyful years of “smiles-to-the-gallon.” It has far exceeded our expectations without any regrets other than its pencil case of a luggage compartment. However, that’s what the Club VIP Shuttle is for, right?

Q4. You’ve been on a few FMSC tours: how was the car, any issues, what was the best part about the driving experience

A4: It’s been faultless pretty much. Striding across France, Italy, Geneva, Switzerland, Spain and Wales. However, on the Euro Mega Tour earlier this year, the aircon packed up between Geneva and Turin, so the cooler weather on the return up through Montpellier was very welcome.

The best driving experience is the noise of that normally aspirated V10 perched just behind my ears and the analogue, no frills nature of this Bull. Namely the mechanical single dry clutch that kicks me in the back of the head with every gearchange. It’s no slouch either and even with it being four-wheel drive, it demands a level of respect, as the electronic stability control is very mild with a 70/30 split to the rear, so it will step out if asked. Going back to the “no frills” no cruise control, the sat nav is out of an old A8 and no Manettino dial. Just the one button on the steering wheel and that’s the horn.

Q5, What’s your experience like regards the servicing of the car, how many miles per year have you clocked up so far and do you expect more or less in 2026?

A5: Servicing is once a year, with minor and major alternating, this means I have to dig deep every other year. The Maserati was once every two years, so it has been a little financial shock to just get over it.

The Lambo is a 2013 model, and I’ve done about 15k miles in it over the last four years. It stands at 30k in total. We’ll probably do a little less in 2026, with plans on a road trip to Berlin in Cheryl’s Cayman.

Q6, any tips for anyone looking at buying a similar model?

A6: I don’t know of any tips as such other than those words of common sense. Have an independent vehicle inspection. It may cost a few hundred quid but it could save you thousands in repair bills to get it straight. Be patient, it took us nearly two years to find the right one for us. Just find the right one for you.

Q7. Any plans beyond the Lambo or still not thinking that far ahead?

A7: The bonkers Lambo brand depicted by Jeremy Clarkson of spinning ties and red noses still has me hooked. Could I be greedy and ask for another two cylinders? Keeping with the brand I recall last year having a Urus for the weekend and the circus DNA was definitely present in that too.

So, the circus has come to town and staying for the foreseeable future.

Final word by Tony

“Ours is a standard Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder. However, with a special 50th-anniversary emblem in the cockpit to commemorate the 50 years of Lamborghini and it’s last year of manufacture. The front and rear styling is slightly different, particularly the Huracan-ish looking front end that sets it apart.

I understand the seats are a “comfort” option, providing full electric adjustment, lumbar support and they’re heated.“

Appendix,

And now, the technical stuff with lots of numbers… Perfect for you to dig deeper!

Not to be confused with the 50° Anniversario (Limited Edition Coupé), which was a limited run of 100 units. 2WD, manual was an option and only available in white.

The standard, open-top LP 560-4 Spyder was a production model sold from 2009 to 2014 and featured all-wheel drive. 

• Drivetrain: This model is four-wheel drive (4WD), as indicated by the “4” in its name (LP 560-4).
• Engine: It is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine, delivering 560 PS (552 bhp).
• Performance: It has a claimed 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 201 mph (324 km/h).
• Anniversary Badging: Models produced in 2013 often featured the special 50th-anniversary emblem in the cockpit to commemorate the year. These cars can be found for sale with “50 Year Edition” badging, but are mechanically standard LP 560-4 Spyders
• Wheels: 19” Black painted Callisto with a front setup of 235/35ZR19 tires on 8.5Jx19 wheels and a rear setup of 295/30ZR19 tires on 11Jx19 wheels
• Infotainment System: Now a “hard to tell from the original” OEM copy with Apple CarPlay

Thanks

We’d like to thank Tony G for giving up his time to show us his fabulous Lamborghini, to Dave Johns, MD of club partner Hensley Stephens Finance for joining us and helping this club member finance his dream car. We’d like to thank club member journalist Phil S for researching today’s car and finally to Greg G for capturing the car in the winter sunshine.

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Hensley Stephens Finance

If you’re looking to finance your next dream car, why not speak to Dave Johns, MD of club partner Hensley Stephens Finance and see what’s possible.

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