1:24 Lamborghini Gallardo

The car that put Lamborghini back on its feet

The Gallardo appeared in 2003 and for the marque from Sant'Agata it marked a turning point. For the first time in the firm's history this was a type that sold in the thousands, and it was this car that paid for the development of the more famous twelve-cylinder models. By the time it ended in 2013, over fourteen thousand examples had left the line, which is the most in the whole history of the carmaker.

What was under the metal. In the middle of the car sat a ten-cylinder engine of around five liters, front and rear an aluminum frame, and on most versions all-wheel drive. The type took its name from a breed of fighting bulls, as is the custom with this marque. The sharp edges of the body were drawn by stylists working in Germany and to this day it comes across more as a wedge than as a coupe.

Building the model. 1:24 is the classic size for road cars, so paints, wheels and accessory sets are easy to come by for it. On the bodywork the paint decides: the base has to be perfectly smooth, otherwise a bright color will draw out every unevenness. The cabin deserves a sharp separation of the upholstery and the instruments, because it is clearly visible through the glazing.

Before you start. The box holds moldings on which the finished car only comes about once they are glued and painted. Glue, paints and polishing compound do not go with it. The name does not specify the version of the body any further, so before building it is good to compare the contents of the box with the subject you want to build. It is worth looking at period photographs because of the wheels and the exhaust tips, which changed several times over the ten years of production.