This Week, We Wish We Were Commuting In.

Welcome to "This Week, We Wish We Were Commuting In" a new, weekly feature where we think for a little bit about what we'd be driving across the valley for the week if someone would only lend us the car in question.

As this is the first week of the feature, we're feeling a bit of pressure to come out with a car that agrees with all the sentiments so oft expressed in this trifle of a blog. A car with nothing holding the driver back from experiencing the full sensation of driving. A car with none of the superfluous features that, well intended though they may be, often get in the way of having fun. So what shall it bee then? Something small and light, with a tiny, high-strung motor that'll kill in the corners? A super-sports car with the power to excite in 10 second increments called "on-ramps?" Maybe a carefree roadster with nothing between our self and the road...

Yeah... thing is, we've had a headache for the past week, so we can't see getting into anything with spine-chassis and a buzzing, shrieking four-pot that makes little power under 5000rpm, and zero torque at any revs. I'm not up for a punishing ride either. Also, it's been raining for the past four days in a most un-SoCal sort of way, so we're not really up for side-screens and a top that rivals an a-frame tent in setup time.

This week, we want cushy leather seats, a heater that works, and butter smooth power. We're not total fashion victims, so no modern BMWs or tripe like that. We want a GT, maybe a Bentley, a Continental R-type, except that's all wrong because we don't want to steer a car that can be seen from space. Handy size then is important, as is visibility, so thin pillars and a large glasshouse are on the want list.

Hrm... there are still a few cars that will work, but we're ready to call it. This week, in our dreams, we'll be running freeways in...

Lamborghini's 350 GT!


Ok, there may be a few compromises that will make us wish we'd just stopped by the Nissan dealer and picked out a new 370Z; it's not exactly a quiet car (though neither is it loud), the steering is heavy at low speeds, the brakes aren't up to modern standards... These objections won't last long however, because we'll just get into our Lamborghini and remember that we haven't had to search around for all the buttons that turn off various systems. Then we'll look over our shoulder and be able to see out, which isn't a guarantee in the Nissan. And if we're tired and simply want to make it home, we'll just get into fifth gear as soon as we get on the freeway, and cruise home in relative quiet.

If the headache goes away, the Lambo can still provide for us, with a sophisticated chassis, and that smooth, tractable V12 that will make taking Mulholland home fun instead of simply added chore, even in the wet. It looks incredible as well. Not the most outlandish of Lamborghini's, nor the most subtle, but with a dash of 60s cool that later Lamborghini GTs like the Jarama made do without. The cabin continues that theme, with none of the cheapness or cheesiness that ruin the 350's successor, the Islero. We'll have ours with the original white and red raging bull shields.

And if we feel like getting out of town on the weekend, we'll be hard pressed to think of a car that would do a better job. designed as it was to cross Europe in bounds, the 350 GT should take a trip up the coast on the 101 to morrow bay (or wherever) in its loping stride. It's got room for luggage for a few days away, and when we get there, it'll let us have fun on local roads. Fuel economy may not be pretty exactly, but it's as good as most modern super GTs, and really, we're there are reasons this exercise is taking place in our heads.

Mostly though, we'll be too busy riding along behind that wonderful V12, looking out at the glow from the oblong Cibies, basking in the comfort of our leather-lined cocoon. Safe in the knowledge that we won't see the same car coming the other way, even in Los Angeles...


Photos from: Supercars.net