Why Did Lamborghini Move Away From The Color Red? | FerrariChat

Why Did Lamborghini Move Away From The Color Red?

Discussion in 'LamborghiniChat.com' started by Rossocorsa1, Oct 20, 2018.

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  1. Rossocorsa1

    Rossocorsa1 F1 Veteran

    May 14, 2017
    6,203
    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.
     
  2. tifoso2728

    tifoso2728 F1 Veteran
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    My question is, regarding their advertising and brochures, why did they become obsessed with the color black? It's dismal . . .
     
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  3. Jalpa_Mike

    Jalpa_Mike F1 Rookie

    Apr 2, 2004
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    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
     
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  4. mt_jt

    mt_jt Formula Junior

    May 9, 2012
    601
    Australia
    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!
     
  5. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Feb 11, 2008
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    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
     
  6. bb4635

    bb4635 Formula Junior

    May 18, 2006
    480
    France
    Just as a reminder, here is the period production color split for the Lamborghini Miura 1966-1972
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  7. Rossocorsa1

    Rossocorsa1 F1 Veteran

    May 14, 2017
    6,203

    This is great. Would love to see the Countach breakout if you have it.
     
  8. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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    May 23, 2006
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    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.
     
  9. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    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 :D

    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 ... :)
     
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  10. Ellagirl

    Ellagirl F1 Rookie

    Aug 20, 2014
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    A Yellow BB comes to mind,one of my favorit 70/80 mid engine cars.
     
  11. Rossocorsa1

    Rossocorsa1 F1 Veteran

    May 14, 2017
    6,203

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

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Of course. Never would have guessed that given your screen name ... ;)
     
  13. Rossocorsa1

    Rossocorsa1 F1 Veteran

    May 14, 2017
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    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.
     
  14. SingleSeat

    SingleSeat Rookie

    Feb 13, 2015
    28
    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...
     

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  15. Ellagirl

    Ellagirl F1 Rookie

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    My first Diablo 91. Was red/white
     
  16. Jalpa_Mike

    Jalpa_Mike F1 Rookie

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    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
     
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  17. Ellagirl

    Ellagirl F1 Rookie

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    I will say my buddys Yellow Diablo looked better than mine.
     
  18. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Last 512BBi I saw was in Switzerland in the Boxer scheme, gold over flat black.

    AWESOME !!!!
     
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  19. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    That sounds nice. Anything but red! :p
     
  20. ralfabco

    ralfabco Two Time F1 World Champ
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    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.
     
  21. 12097

    12097 Formula Junior

    Apr 4, 2007
    685
    Regina, Canada
    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.
     
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