SOME Test Drive!

[Three Peaks]

At the place we hold our Cobra meetings, they just happen to sell exotic cars also. Cars like Porsche, Panoz, Lamborghini, Ferarri, etc... in abundance. I try not to drool on the cars when I check them out before/after the meetings, but some of these cars are incredible.

Well, today it finally happened... I was talking to the salesman I talk to every meeting and he was showing me the new Lamborghini Superleggera he had in the showroom- one of only 190 to be made. 650 horsepower, all Carbon Fiber body and interior, all wheel drive, traction control, paddle shifters, and "arrest-me yellow" to boot!
After a bit of a chat about what a beautiful car it was, I mentioned I would love to drive one of them- never thinking for a moment it would happen in my lifetime. Anyway, the salesman says "stop by after the meeting and we can probably make that happen". "This is a demo and that is what they are for, right?"
I could hardly wait for the meeting to be over, but after the meeting the salesman was nowhere to be found. I hung around a bit, hoping for a chance to take him up on his offer and checking out the cars, including a gorgeous 1966 Corvette 427 all original coupe.
In a few minutes, the salesman comes back from taking a real customer for a test drive in a different Lambo and sees me in the showroom. He points at me and motions toward the Superleggera and says, "lets go!"

He didn't have to ask twice! He drove me out of the lot and then put it through the first 3 gears in just a couple blocks, pushing it fairly hard, but nowhere near it's limits, since the pavement was wet from a morning rain. Parking, he got out and let me have the reins for the few short blocks back to the dealership.
After a brief description of how the paddle shifters worked, I had the wheel and nervously put it in first gear and respectfully mashed the pedal. The acceleration with that horsepower, traction control, and all wheel drive was unbelievable. I'm pretty sure no Cobra could equal it due to the amazing hook up this car had. I think this was the first time a fast car ever really scared me.
After a few more short bursts of acceleration to guage what the car was capable of, we were back at the dealer's lot far too soon. I VERY carefully drove into the driveway and parked this (way out of my budget) car exactly where the salesman told me to and proceeded to grin a silly grin for the next couple hours.
I even tried to call a couple of my buddies to brag about my fortunate opportunity but none of them were available.

I haven't felt this young since my first drive in my '68 GTO when I was 18 years old. Now I can see the allure of these cars- and I realize now it isn't all about the money.

Bob