Presented by Mecum Auctions – Ferruccio Lamborghini founded Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. in 1963 with the goal of producing the best cars in the world. The cars would be handcrafted, use the best materials and be the product of the best engineers, designers and craftsmen available. A few rumors persist as to why Ferruccio entered the market with his own motorcar, which only enriches the whole experience behind the cars, the company and the man. He was born in April 1916, and to celebrate his 100th birthday the company that bears his name built the Centenario.
In keeping with tradition, the Centenario was radically styled using carbon fiber panels and a monocoque carbon fiber chassis. It employed all-wheel drive and offered the most powerful engine available from the company, as well as rear-wheel steering, a first for Lamborghini. Only 40 would be built for worldwide consumption: 20 roadsters and 20 coupes. Standard coloring for the coupe would be bare carbon fiber with yellow accents, while the roadster would appear in a Matte Gray hue, but, of course, customers could order a Centenario in any color they wanted.
Of them, only nine would be destined for North America in 2017, and this is one of them. Having covered only 863 miles from new, Lamborghini of Newport Beach serviced the car in July 2021. The naturally aspirated 6.5L V-12 engine produces 759 HP, which, along with the 7-speed automatic transmission, propels the car from 0-60 MPH in 2.8 seconds and on to a top speed of a governor-limited 217 MPH. Carbon ceramic brakes with silver calipers scrub off speed with ease, with only 101-feet needed to bring the Centenario to a standstill from 60 MPH. With the car finished in Blue Cepheus Pearlescent and Blue Hera, bright silver accents have been hand painted to add even more visual interest, the bespoke two-tone color combination highlighting the body’s nuances. The interior is fitted with carbon fiber bucket seats and interior accents, and passengers will enjoy a touchscreen infotainment center. To be sold with books and two keys, tools, a car cover and battery tender, it also has service records to document its history.
This 2017 Lamborghini Centenario will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions’ Monterey 2021 event, which runs August 12 to 14.
