My ability to lust set in at an early age – 7 maybe. It started with seeing something I’d never seen before on a poster at the book fair. Then there were conversations with the other boys around the lunch table. Of course one of them claimed he had seen one in real life. But, yeah right. The week before he said his uncle was Marc Summers.
One day I knew I would see one for real. I knew this because I was willing to do whatever it took. I was obsessed. Never before had I seen something that made me so tingly to stare at. I discovered something that gave me a reason to live – a reason to press on through the trials of elementary life. I discovered the Lamborghini Countach LP 5000.
The monster erasers, the Mad Libs, the Choose Your Own Adventure books – those were just decoy items. The only thing that really mattered at the book fair was the red Lamborghini parked in front of lightning poster. And the only other thing that mattered was getting it home unblemished. “Stop mom! I don’t want to unwrap it. It’s going to stay on the cardboard and stay shrink-wrapped. Forever”
Sorry girls, but you’ll just never understand the agony of being so close to something yet so far away. You’ll never know the excitement of doors that opened like the wings of an angel. You’ll never know the pleasure of shutting your eyes and imaging yourself stepping out of your very own shiny red spaceship-looking sports car. So many surfaces. So many vents and right angles. At the time, there was nothing more beautiful.
Finally, in middle school it happened. I saw one up close. It only lasted a brief moment, because we were merely driving the speed limit as it zoomed by. It wasn’t red, or even gold like my favorite micro machine. It was yellow. But, it was real. And it was too late. I was 14 now, and I didn’t care. My obsession was over – thanks to the torn out centerfold Michael B had stashed away in his Parcheesi box.
I had a Ferrari once… oh wait… that was Barbie's car. Dang it…
I went for the Porche. Even had the jacket. It looked like a Members Only jacket except it had Porche writting down the sleeve.
I guess if we went to middle school together, it would have been a Bloods vs Crips type of thing.
I was right there with you. I had the posters, calendars, etc. Anything with a Lamborghini on it. I was in love with that car.
About 4 years ago, I was on a camping trip with some friends. We were driving through a very small Arkansas town in the Ozark Mountains, and there in some guy's yard was a black Lamborghini. Further investigation revealed that it had belonged to a drug dealer back in the day and he was in jail and the family sold it or something. It was basically just the shell of the car, but it was pretty awesome. Every time we drive by there, we look for it. Occasionally, it's in a different spot, giving fuel to the hope that the car still runs. It's like seeing your favorite athlete 40 years after his/her prime. Sitting on the front porch watching time go by.
1. I'm pretty sure I had the exact same poster. I was obsessed with that car, though most of my friends preferred the Diablo.
2. By some serendipitous chance, today is the day to make your fantasy a reality http://www.groupon.com/deals/supercar-rentals-inc
Good for you getting over this obsession at such an early age. Two weeks ago I had the owner of a 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago have to ask me to step away from his car. Which led me to attack him in my mind saying, "ohhh are we over compensating"! Then I cried a little as he drove that beautiful machine away, and I swear there was a lightning bolt following him. (I guess it comes standard from the dealership.)
love it
Nice choice, I was a Red Lamborghini Diablo man all those years. But… Countach is OK too.
Yeah, there was always you Diablo guys.