'The' Green Lamborghini Gallardo

First and foremost I must apologize for the quality of the pictures on this particular page. I attempt to convey the story accompanied by high quality pictures. However despite a potato being used to take these pictures, I will still use them given how important this car is to me.

I remember it was a weekend morning in early 2006 and my dad had gone to the office for a bit. He was on the phone with my mom while my siblings and I were having breakfast and she passed on the message that our neighbor had a cool car outside. I didn't think twice about it. Once we were done with breakfast, my brother was taking out a garbage bag and opened the front door to our section of the gated community. As he walked out I caught a glimpse of, what remains to this day, my favorite car in my favorite color. The Verde Ithaca Lamborghini Gallardo. Yes there are better, faster or "smarter" cars for the money (maybe) but there will never be a cooler car. I was 16 at the time and the shock and awe that car delivered has never been matched. I have seen Veyrons, I spotted a McLaren P1 on the streets of Austin, I saw the Porsche 918 Spyder in Cincinnati and I had the honor of seeing a Ferrari LaFerrari in Maranello Italy. 'The' Green Gallardo still stands out. I walked out of the house and into THE moment I knew cars are where I shall concentrate my efforts in life. Little did I know that car would continue shaping my path in life.

Over the course of the year and half of that car being parked across the street from our house, I had yet to meet the owner. This only added to the mystique enveloping this car. I would pour over it, peer through the glass cover to the engine bay. Look at the exhaust and only imagine the sounds and fury that come out of there. I hear countless stories from friends and family spotting a Green Lamborghini around town, it brought a huge smile to my acne riddled 16 year old face every time!

One night on our way back from dinner in Bahrain, I was sleeping in the back seat and as we were pulling up to our driveway my mom and dad quickly called my name repeatedly. "Dani Dani, wake up...look look look". The car was pulling away, it's alive. It's weird to describe but in my mind that car went from being a myth to becoming a reality.

Fast forward a year. I graduated from high school and was moving my bags out to the car. My dad was dropping us off at the airport to spend the summer in Belgium before going to Illinois for college. The car was parked outside and the owner was right next to it. My dad and I had a quick chat with him and complemented his car. He went inside and we continued loading the car. As I got done, I went for a last look and he happened to walk out. "You really do like this car, huh?". I shook my head and showed my appreciation to the car. He said hop in, I wont take no for an answer. I ran in, told my parents and my dad and I walked out with a camera (and snapped that top picture). The owner even handed my dad the keys and said take it for a spin (my dad said thank you but declined the offer).

The owner asked me "Do you want sound"....as I replies "yes please" he put the windows down and turned the throttle into his foots anvil! I have since been in faster cars, but nothing has ever lived up to the aggression that car delivered that moment. He hammered it every chance he got. Through roundabouts, down every straight, and even past 2 cop cars. This single event changed me.

Looking back I wish I had pushed my dad more to have taken the ride rather than me. I wanted my dad (the true car guy) to experience this. I've surrounded myself with these cars by going to events, track days and car shows. I've had numerous rides and I've driven a few supercars. I know I will continue to have more of these experiences. Each is a reminder to make sure I make it a reality to share the experience of that day with as many people as possible, most importantly my family and friends who see this passion in me.

That Green Gallardo and that generous owner can be given credit for what drives me, my passion for these cars, and my drive to share the experience and pleasure.

This car was the start of a life long obsession with Super-Sport cars!