2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Spider V10 Manual

Highlights

• V10-engined baby Lambo with rare spec
• Comprehensive service record
• Desirable manual gearbox
• Incredible Perseus Orange interior
• Great condition throughout

Overview

If you’re a true PHer, then chances are you love a big engine – after all, there’s nothing sweeter than a silky-smooth straight six, a rumbling V8 or a gargantuan V12, which provides the best of both of those worlds, but normally with a prodigious thirst.

Six, Eight and 12 are numbers indelibly stamped across the automotive industry, normally attached to cars that have a little bit of soul about them compared with a buzzy four-pot – but the number 10 is conspicuous by its relative absence. Cylinders tenfold are rare, partly because a lot of V-shaped engines are derived from four or six-cylinder units joined at the hip, but also because they present an engineering imbalance of their own. One bank of five cylinders is hard enough to get right (though, notably, Volvo, Audi and Land Rover did a pretty good job). Ten is witchcraft – but when a V10 does appear, it’s deservedly spellbinding.

Members of the V10 club are few and far between – but there are some incredible names therein. Dodge Viper, anyone? Or how about a Porsche Carrera GT? We’ll gloss over the diesel Volkswagen Touareg, but from the same parent company comes this piece of outrageous automotive wizardry, the Lamborghini Gallardo.

The ‘baby’ Lamborghini first sprang forth in 2003, named (appropriately) after a breed of bull known for being both smaller and angrier than most. Its mini-Murcielago styling did away with the gullwing doors, but such engineering extravagances had to be left out to keep prices within reach of the average Porsche 911 customer, at whom the Gallardo was targeted.

There was nothing average about it though. The mid-engined supercar was offered as both a Coupé and a Spyder, both with a 520bhp 5.0-litre V10 driving all four wheels, and sporting an outrageously wedge-shaped profile. This was a Lamborghini, after all, and not a car for shrinking violets.

This one – a 2008 Spyder – certainly isn’t. While it may look passably subtle on the outside with its grey coachwork, the orange and black interior would have Tony the Tiger dribbling into his Frosties. Like him, we think it’s grrrrrrr…eat and, if memory serves correctly, we think it might be a close match to the spec that a certain Mr Clarkson chose for his own car.

It’s a genuine, original and well cared-for car that’s been with its current owner for the past three years, helping him to fulfil a boyhood dream of owning a Lamborghini. But he’s a family man these days and that means the Gallardo doesn’t get used and he needs something more practical. Luckily, we didn’t find him poring over brochures for Kia Sportages, though – apparently, a BMW M5 E60 is on the shopping list so he can stay in the 10-cylinder posse. Amen to that…

History and documentation

• UK registration document
• Advisory-free MOT expires 7 Oct 2025
• 49,265 miles from new
• Tracker (will require subscription)
• Original document wallet and book pack, handbook, and service book
• Invoices for services and repair work up to 2021, including one for a new clutch in 2021 at 45k miles
• Service book is stamped as follows: PDI, 57 miles (2008, Lamborghini Birmingham); 7,916 miles (2008, Lamborghini Birmingham); 14,156 miles (2009, Lamborghini Birmingham); 19,641 miles (2010, Lamborghini Birmingham); 20,237 miles (2011, Lamborghini Birmingham); 20,994 miles (2012, Imperials, Chadwell Heath); 30,875 miles (2016, GT Cars, Warrington); 39,300 miles (2018, Supercar Service, London); 43,541 miles (2019, Supercar Service, London); 45,013 miles (2021, Supercar Service, London)
• Cherished registration in photos will NOT stay with vehicle, number plate is BX08BXL
• The vendor tells us that during his ownership it’s always been dry stored and viewings will take place at its professional storage location
• Two keys

Interior

• Incredible Perseus Orange leather trim
• Matching dash and door trims
• No major wear to driver’s side seat bolster
• Climate control
• Fully functional infotainment system with built-in sat nav
• Six-CD changer
• Billeted alloy gear knob
• Some slight wear to air con switches
• Factory windbreak
• Electric windows and roof

Exterior

• Lynx Grey Metallic
• No dents or damage
• Excellent paint finish with only one minor nick on the rear panel below spoiler
• Refurbished alloys in spotless condition
• Matching Pirelli P-Zero tyres all-round – fronts very good, rears part-worn
• Bi-Xenon headlamps

Mechanical

• 5.0-litre V10
• 520bhp
• Six-speed manual
• Four wheel drive
• Recent new clutch less than 5,000 miles ago
• New front and rear brakes in last 10k miles
• Sounds phenomenal
• Factory-fitted front end lift to deal with pesky speed humps
• According to the vendor the car drives without fault

Summary

Being brought under Volkswagen ownership did nothing to dampen Lamborghini’s character and the Gallardo is very much true to the marque’s tradition of pushing boundaries and doing things differently, albeit with a slightly less haphazard approach to build quality.

Depreciation has obviously made them more affordable over the years and, looking at where they are, market shocks aside, it’s hard to imagine prices coming down much further. In fact, with a naturally aspirated V10 and a manual gearbox, it wouldn’t take much in the way of man maths to convince yourself (and anyone else with a hand on the purse strings) that this could be a good investment.

This one is fabulous – it’s in great condition, looks absolutely stupendous and that orange interior is a sight to behold. If, like the vendor did, you have a Lamborghini on your bucket list, then this is the perfect opportunity to have one all of your own.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This car is located in Suffolk.