2008 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Coupe

During the late 1990s, the Volkswagen Auto Group acquired Bugatti, Bentley, and, in June 1998, Lamborghini, which had nearly entered bankruptcy following a failed Formula One engine program and a large financial investment into powerboat V12s. It was placed under the control of the Audi division and tasked with reviving plans for the Diablo's successor which had been abandoned under Chrysler ownership.

In September 2001, Lamborghini unveiled the Murcielago during an event at the factory in Sant'Agata, laying to rest any lingering fears about Audi's ownership potentially diluting the company's ability to produce a worthy successor flagship successor with the same Italian flair. This would be the final Lamborghini to use a V12 engine derived from the original Bizzarrini design of 1963. Displacing 6.2 liters, it produced 572 horsepower, which was transmitted to the pavement via the Diablo VT's viscous four-wheel-drive system. Like its predecessor, the Murcielago used tubular steel space frame construction, and was wrapped in a carbon fiber and steel body featuring active air intakes on the rear wings. More than just its financial saviors, its new German owners contributed by improving ride quality, lighter steering, and increasing the headroom.

An updated in 2007 brought revived nomenclature to the Murcielago, with 'LP 640' representing the engine's 'Longitudinale Posteriore' orientation and its increased 640 horsepower output (6.5 liter V12 engine). Styling revisions were made to the bumpers, taillights, asymmetrical side air intakes, single outlet exhaust, and diamond-stitched leather trimming the updated interior.

At the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, Lamborghini introduced a Roadster version of the LP 640 specification (a roadster version of the original Murcielago had also been offered beginning in 2004). The roadster added approximately 65 lbs compared to the coupe and could accelerate from zero-to-sxity mph in 3.8 seconds. Production of the Murciélago LP 640 lasted from 2006 to 2010.

Lamborghini produced approximately 183 Murcielago LP 640 Roadsters in 2008. Approximately 427 Murcielago LP 640 Roadsters were produced in total over a four-year period.

Chassis number ZHWBU47S68LA03145
This 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 Roadster wears a Nero Aldebaran exterior over a matching Nero Perseus leather interior. It is highly optioned with full diamond-pattern Q-Citura stitching in contrasting white on the seat centers, door panels, and center armrest. Carbon fiber trim can be found on the steering wheel, shift paddles, instrument surround, center console, door sill, and parking brake, as well as on the optional carbon fiber engine brace. It rides on a set of silver 18-inch staggered-width Hermera wheels.

This Lamborghini was completed in March of 2008 and imported to San Diego in May before being sold to its first owner. It was in Arizona for a brief period of time before being relocated to California in 2010 with 2,354 miles. It was on static display for a number of years prior to receiving a major service in March 2022 at Raging Bull Performance in Costa Mesa, California. At a cost of over $12,500, work included replacing the clutch, flywheel, e-gear sensor, fluids, and battery.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2023