If you’re an avid auto enthusiast who dreams of owning a supercar, chances are the name Lamborghini is there in your books. Famously known for making some of the best looking exotic machinery on four wheels, Lamborghini is more than just art, it’s an emotion, a visual treat that many yearn to experience.
Unlike Ferrari who extensively brags about how racing and Formula One influenced their road cars, of course, the big man Mr. Ferrucio Lamborghini never really fancied the sport. However, post-Audi ownership, Lamborghini did venture into the world of motorsports and subsequently kicked off their “Squadra Corse” division.
The team has been working wonders on Motorsports with the introduction of their Super Trofeo and GT3 racers. Earlier cars were based on the Gallardo and later gave way to the Huracan. Squadra Corse has been making one-offs recently with the likes of the SC V12 and the SC18 Alston. Prior to these, however, they did make a rather special Gallardo.
The Lamborghini Gallardo Squadra Corse was introduced in 2013 as a limited production street-legal version of the Super Trofeo racer. It came with few bespoke touches and was a swansong to the Gallardo- Lamborghini’s most successful supercar up to that point.
Lamborghini Gallardo Squadra Corse: Motorsport DNA In A Road Car
When Lamborghini introduced the Squadra Corse (SC) racing program, they were diversifying into the world of motorsports and client-racing. During the ‘60s, Ferrari had a similar sort of program where they commission road cars for individual customers who then took it for racing. Ferrari, even to this day practices the idea under their Challenge program. Lamborghini’s SC division operates with a similar ethos wherein customers buy the car and use it for racing under the FIA GT-class or the Super Trofeo program.
Lamborghini wanted an extremely track focussed limited run Gallardo as a last hurrah to their most successful supercar. The Squadra Corse went on to work extensively on the car’s dynamic abilities. The Gallardo SC was a Superleggera on steroids. It had all the bells and whistles from the Superleggera and then some. To emphasize its racing roots, the Gallardo SC had a removable engine cover with a quick-release system among other unique touches.
Imposing Looks, As Per Usual
As with any Lamborghini, the Gallardo SC was an absolute stunner. In contrast to the regular Gallardo, the SC had revised styling. Different front and rear bumpers with more angular shapes found their way into the SC along with a fixed rear spoiler; mounted higher than the one found on the Superleggera. Visual contrast was brought in with Tricolore details on either side and painted brake calipers in either red, black, or yellow. Also, the Gallardo SC was only available in 4 exterior colors; Giallo Midas (yellow), Rosso Mars (red), Grigio Thalasso (grey), and Bianco Monocerus (white).
The interiors came with extensive use of carbon-fiber with bucket seats as standard. Though the Lamborghini buckets of the time weren’t particularly comfortable for day to day use, however, comfort seats were available as an option and customers can choose to have it should they prefer. Everything else was the typical Gallardo affair aside from a few Squadra Corse decals and embroidery on the dash.
Lamborghini Gallardo Squadra Corse: Better Aerodynamics And A V10 Inside
The Gallardo SC was Lamborghini's idea of a race car for the road. The front of the SC is designed for improved downforce and maximum airflow. The front and rear arches direct air around the car in order to reduce excessive lift. The almost flat underbody ensures that the airflow is not interrupted and directs them to the aggressive rear diffuser. The rear wing of the Gallardo SC reportedly produced three times more downforce than the standard Gallardo's electronically adjusted spoiler.
The Gallardo SC used a 5.2-liter V10 making 562 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque; a nominal increment from its regular variant. The powertrain was largely that of an LP570-4 Superleggera wherein, the SC used a permanent all-wheel-drive system with power being transmitted via a 6-speed E-gear single-clutch automatic. Performance stood at an impressive 3.2-second run to 60 mph and a top speed of over 200 mph.
A Rare Lamborghini: One For The Enthusiast
Now we’ll get into how rare the Gallardo Squadra Corse is. In total Lamborghini made around 50 of these road-legal race cars wherein 15 of them found their way to the United States with 3 residing in Canada. With such limited availability, the Gallardo SC is a rare gem of Lamborghini. Collectors can fondle over an unmolested example if they happen to find one. However, since Lamborghini made a fair number of one-offs and special edition Gallardos, the SC even though is rarer than most models is not what you call an investment. Here’s a 2014 Gallardo SC listed for $220,000. Given that the list price of a Lamborghini Gallardo Squadra Corse was around $250,000 when new, this is in fact a discount considering how rare of a machine it really is.
Sources: YouTube, Lamborghini