Why Did Lamborghini Move Away From The Color Red?

I have often wondered this for the longest time but never bothered to delve into the topic deeper - why did Lamborghini seemingly move away from the color red? Just by simple observation alone, this seems to have happened early in the Diablo production timeframe. I could be wrong, but I believe there was quite an extensive period of time when they didn’t even offer traditional red (aka “Rosso Siviglia”) as an optional color. One could assume it was because Ferrari was strongly identified with the very similar color (“Rosso Corsa”), but I doubt they officially would say that. Interestingly, they seemed to really push the color orange during that period, possibility in an effort to create their own unique identity. Odd move, given that red, though obviously not everyone’s first choice, was clearly the most popular during the later Countach era.

 

My question is, regarding their advertising and brochures, why did they become obsessed with the color black? It's dismal . . .

 

I’ve wondered he same thing for years, Rob. This new look of everything being black....... Matte Black, wraps in black, black wheels, piano black wood interiors, etc. I just don’t get it...... but, to each his own.

I guess we’re just old school.

Mike

 

Well there’s no shortage of reds on modern Lambos. Seems to me there’s always been an abundance of red coloured Lamborghini’s through all eras!

 

I always viewed Lambo styling as "over the top" so they use over the top colors. Red is too traditional.

Look at McLaren (Ok, I know they are British) but they have very few red cars and even fewer British racing green cars

 

Just as a reminder, here is the period production color split for the Lamborghini Miura 1966-1972
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This is great. Would love to see the Countach breakout if you have it.

 

Excellent content as always, Bruno.

Red is always the most popular car on an Italian sport car, I was always surprised at how many Miuras were painted white.

 

I got so bored with red Ferraris over the years that later when I saw 308s and then much, much later all the high end vintage Ferrari's in some absolutely exquisite colors at the various concours in Monterey I really appreciated those cars a lot more. Ferrari has really over done the red thing over the years but also there's red and then there's red. It can be a subtle thing and when the red is the right shade on the right car it does look fabulous. I'm not a fan of red in a Countach, Miura and especially an Espada or Jarama when those cars look so much better in some of the other wonderful colors Lamborghini had over the years. Their flare for color combinations has been one of their hallmarks ever since the emergence of the Miura and Espada models. The Islero received a few wonderful colors as well. Absolutely boring as hell in red though. IMHO of course

I've asked the question from more than a few automotive designers as to what makes certain colors work aka makes the car pop with certain designs. I've never gotten a an answer I was satisfied with though. I suppose it's a bit like pornography versus art nudes photography. You know it when you see it. Might as well as what makes a women sexy to a man ...
I'm also won't say that all of the more outrageous colors Lamborghini utilized always made the cars beautiful but they certainly made them outrageous if not beautiful.

Sometimes I think that's where their designs are today. I can appreciate the Huracán and I did see some stunning combinations in the Gallardo before that. Otherwise I prefer the looks of the older cars. I also happen to own two Gandini designs and two Giugaro designs so I'm old ...

 

A Yellow BB comes to mind,one of my favorit 70/80 mid engine cars.

 

It’s all subjective. One mans eye for a certain beauty is different from another’s. I love a Countach in red.

 

Of course. Never would have guessed that given your screen name ...

 

HA. Pretty obvious. Actually, I would agree with you regarding other older Lamborghini models, such as the Miura. They look better in other colors. Still, I prefer the Countach in red.

 

The red Diablo (Diablo Rosso) was the prototypical icon of the model when it was new and the predominant colors buyers chose for the cars were pretty conventional (red, yellow, black, etc.). There were many red 1991-95MY cars and Diablo Rosso cars were all over magazine covers, posters, and books. Red carried on through the roadster years until the SV Diablos (late 90s) brought more color choices.

There was no shortage of red at all, especially in the early 90s.

Posters...

 

Magazines...

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Brochures and books...

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Models and toys...


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Movies...


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My first Diablo 91. Was red/white

 

When I first started really observing the move away from red was 2002 with the introduction of the Murcielago and 2004 with the Gallardo. The “skittles” colors were really taking over by then.

Mike

 

I will say my buddys Yellow Diablo looked better than mine.

 

Last 512BBi I saw was in Switzerland in the Boxer scheme, gold over flat black.

AWESOME !!!!

 

That sounds nice. Anything but red!

 

I DO NOT like red exterior paint on a Lamborghini. In my humble opinion, it is a good idea when buying a used car, to concentrate on much more important items such as if the car has been regularly serviced, # of owners, mileage and additional considerations etc... The exterior livery should be # 6 or so, on your pecking order - when buying a used exotic.

With a new car it can be your # 1 choice, if that is your thing. I backed into two L cars with red exterior finish. I wish I could say that it was painted in Viper green or purple. If you want red, it is not difficult to find a Ferrari that looks good in it's signature color. Lot's of F cars look great in red.

That said, I know several Lamborghini owners who given a choice have no love, for a red L car.

 

While I have been fortunate enough to own a white QV and previously a black SL, I have always had a thing for red cars.

This past summer I was in Calgary and went to check out the dealership.
It was a cloudy day and as I pulled closer, I spotted a red Huracan in the showroom window.

“Looks nice” I thought as I approached.

Then, as if by some divine intervention, the clouds parted and the sun hit the paint showing off the metallic and pearl elements of the car.
The whole car .... just glowed .....like it had its own aura or halo.

I was hooked.

Unfortunately, the dealership was closed for a long weekend.

Normally I would have continued to look at other cars, but I just couldn’t shake the image of this car.

Ultimately, I called Miguel from Lambo Calgary and we were able to put together a deal.

The colour is called Rosso Bia and for me, it’s the perfect choice.