Polishing A Diamond

Earlier this year, we spent a few quick days exploring Finland, hooking up with local enthusiasts and checking out some of the amazing cars on offer. One of those machines was Roni Collin’s awesome Honda K20A-powered BMW 1502, which I shot at Roni’s lake house under that late-night Finnish sun.

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After the shoot, Roni was kind enough to show us the rest of his collection too, and in amongst a plethora of angry Porsches and the odd Audi project, we also spotted this bright-red 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 sitting in the paint booth at his friend’s workshop, Björnwerks. Where I’m from, it’s not too often that you’d see a fairly new Lambo receiving a full respray; it’s almost the opposite of the term ‘polishing a turd’ – more like ‘polishing a diamond’. I was intrigued and promised to keep an eye on the car’s progress.

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Fast forward to last week, when I received a message from friend of Speedhunters and top-notch Finnish photographer Jape Titinen, who had not only helped host us during our visit to his country, but had also just managed to nail down Roni’s recently-finished Gallardo for a quick late-night photoshoot. Well, that saves me a trip!

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Roni has always loved Lambos. Like so many of us, as a kid he had a Countach poster on his bedroom wall, but unlike most of us, some smart business decisions as an adult have allowed Roni to make good on his childhood dream of Lamborghini ownership, buying the originally Nero Noctis (black) Gallardo not so long ago. Right from the start, he had no intentions of leaving it stock like the vast majority of Italian supercars. Roni explains, “For some reason it is not so normal to redefine a Lamborghini, but I have always seen the potential in modifying these cars, especially the Gallardo, so I did just that and it’s now exactly how I want it.”

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The all-wheel drive V10-powered coupé has been resprayed in Lambo’s own Rosso Mars hue, and although I must admit to never really being all that fussed by red cars, I have to say it’s the perfect colour for this Gallardo.

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It wasn’t just a colour change and some wheels though; Roni wanted to push the carbon fibre theme as far as he could, sourcing carbon bumpers and fenders originally destined for the Super Trofeo race series cars, direct from Lamborghini’s race department.

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These parts come in raw carbon and are intended to be painted over, but Roni wanted to get that beautiful weave out on display, so the panels were painstakingly sanded back and then cleared a total of 12 times to achieve a stunning lustrous finish. There’s also a carbon bonnet in progress, but as you can imagine, these things take time and it wasn’t ready for the shoot.

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Out back, you’ll find a beautiful Super Trofeo Stradale wing.

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Meanwhile, the side profile is enhanced by side blades and carbon wing mirrors from the Superleggera.

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Roni has used Rotiform wheels on quite a few of his cars, so it’s no surprise that he’s gone with a set of 20×12-inch forged three-piece LVSs here. In my opinion, the mesh-style LVS is the perfect wheel for this build.

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You’ve probably noticed that the Gallardo is sitting very low over the Rotiforms, and this is thanks to a custom air setup controlled by an AccuAir e-Level. I had to ask Roni if he thought the air suspension had taken anything away from the Lambo and its sporting prowess, to which he replied, “It’s very nice to drive, it looks a lot nicer than stock, and it means I can be low and still get over the bridges on the way to my house. So no, I don’t think it’s ruined anything at all.”

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In terms of raw power, Roni decided he didn’t really need to add much to the 550hp already on tap, opting for a simple swap to a Capristo Valvetronic exhaust, which allows the V10 to really howl at the flick of a switch.

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With only the interior left, Roni couldn’t resist adding a drool-inducing pair of Tillett carbon seats and a quick-release OMP steering wheel to accentuate the already gorgeous living space of the Gallardo.

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With this simple build, Roni has created his version of the best-looking Gallardo imaginable, and after poring over these images, I think he’s completely nailed it. There’s no denying that the Gallardo is a good-looking, and great-driving car in stock form, but Roni has perfected his example by cherry-picking the best bits and pieces from Lamborghini and the aftermarket. What he’s ended up with is an Italian supercar that’s exactly as he wants it – what I call a truly successful build.

Peter Kelly
Editor-in-Chief
Instagram: speedhunters_pedey
pedey@speedhunters.com

Photos by Jape Tiitinen
JTMedia.fi
Instagram: jap3
Facebook: JTMedia

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1

no over fender , praise god

2

Meh, kind of ruined the interior imo, but the outside is nice!

3

Unless the complete body is composed of it, there is such a thing as too much Carbon Fibre & this demonstrates that flawlessly.

4

That looks great apart from the carbon, it just looks like the front is waiting to be painted. Maybe if there was just a hint of what was beneath the paint then it would look much better.

Love the interior though, although I cant help but think he's moved the wheel quite far away from the paddles by fitting the snap off boss kit.

5

@turbo BEAMS ae86 Yah, that's been beaten to death.

6

I am actually wondering what it would look like with the red paint fade blended onto the fenders and hood (when the carbon hood is installed) and the front remaining raw cleared carbon.

7

Better find a way to extend those paddle shifters...look like they're really far away from the wheel.

8

Better find a way to extend those paddle shifters...look like they're really far away from the wheel.

9

OMG, those seats are so bad azzed. Agree with others though the unpainted carbon fenders confuse the lines of the car, maybe it will look better when the carbon hood goes on.

10

OMG, those seats are so bad azzed. Agree with others though the unpainted carbon fenders confuse the lines of the car, maybe it will look better when the carbon hood goes on.

11

Credit to the guy and his car but it's still a Lambo, but it still doesn't work for me, it's still way too overpriced, compared to what you can make for your money. But hey, each to their own

12

Credit to the guy and his car but it's still a Lambo, but it still doesn't work for me, it's still way too overpriced, compared to what you can make for your money. But hey, each to their own

13

It's good to see people modifying their exotics, because God willing, I'll be able to get that pre-facelift Diablo someday, and I have no intention of leaving it stock. Nice to know I'm not alone.

Right now, I'm researching just what would have to be modified or replaced in order to make it a true daily driver.

14

It's good to see people modifying their exotics, because God willing, I'll be able to get that pre-facelift Diablo someday, and I have no intention of leaving it stock. Nice to know I'm not alone.

Right now, I'm researching just what would have to be modified or replaced in order to make it a true daily driver.

15

@turbo BEAMS ae86 Yeah, and while I like the "half-finished" look to the front end, I think the bare carbon fiber look's been done to death as well. A nice shade of metallic graphite would look good.

16

LukeEVOVIII They have a high standard of living there, notice how high quality/price builds tend to come from northern Europe?

17

Let's not forget that there's no such thing as the best-looking version of a car... there's only such thing as your version of how a car should look its best. Personally I really love what Roni has done here - it's really different and that carbon is way too beautiful to be hidden! I also can't stand it when people buy a supercar and do nothing to it - modifying a car to make it your best version of that car is the coolest part! Aside from actually driving it, of course. lol

18

That may be true, but if I was a millionaire I wouldn't own supercars, I'd own the working man's version of the supercar which can demolish supercars (lot of 'supercar' going on)

19

LukeEVOVIII Well, he does have a mean 2002 linked in the article. I was once thinking like you, now I wouldn't mind owning both.

20

subpar photos....not SH quality....

21

Great article and awesome car, I love the carbon fibre front bumper, nearly all the pictures are wallpaper worthy, especially the last one (Excl the bonus)

22

Not a fan of the artificial lighting on these photos

23

Not a fan of the artificial lighting on these photos

24

always a good idea making a Lambo more insane and to have the balls to do it :)

25

always a good idea making a Lambo more insane and to have the balls to do it :)

26

Maybe the Finnished car will look better...

27

Maybe the Finnished car will look better...

28

what the is the point of carbon fiber race bucket seats and a momo steering wheel when you're on an air suspension. I get that this is a race car themed car, which is great and all, but it's all just contradicting his modifications---

PROPS to the build nonethless and everything else is flawless about the car 

-YES I'M JEALOUS

29

jasonmay I'd say that's a little harsh, a lot of us don't use off camera lighting due to time constraints or living in a perfectly lit environment like California. Given how dark it is in Finland a large % of the time, sometimes you simply don't have a choice. We also can't carry a lot when flying, but when you're on home turf in your own car, well I've been known to use it in the past and if I was given a choice between seeing this car with these pics or not at all? I'm glad Jape went out and did his thing!

30

@Qwerty See below ;)

31

I'd happily drive the crap out of this on a daily basis, perfect mix up of styles. Love it.

32

I'd happily drive the crap out of this on a daily basis, perfect mix up of styles. Love it.

33

So awesome to see how the carbon is laid on the fender and diffuser. Lots of small sections of pre-preg. Beautiful car!

34

So awesome to see how the carbon is laid on the fender and diffuser. Lots of small sections of pre-preg. Beautiful car!

35

if ever you needed proof money can`t buy taste, this car is it! Ugly as sin but if the owner likes it, props to him

36

Though I'm not a huge fan of the build - primarily because I'm not the biggest Lambo fan - this car works.

It's a Lamborghini.  It's supposed to be outrageous and slightly poseur.  The wheels are spot on, the airbags are perfect (let's be real - no Lambo really sees any track time anyways), and the carbon accent pieces give the car it's character.  

Super cool car.  Now please post more articles on Historic TA cars.

37

Though I'm not a huge fan of the build - primarily because I'm not the biggest Lambo fan - this car works.

It's a Lamborghini.  It's supposed to be outrageous and slightly poseur.  The wheels are spot on, the airbags are perfect (let's be real - no Lambo really sees any track time anyways), and the carbon accent pieces give the car it's character.  

Super cool car.  Now please post more articles on Historic TA cars.

38

OscarPais Ba dum tss

39

As far as I can tell, that is NOT a SuperTrofeo Stradale wing. Rather it looks like a Murcielago Sv inspired piece, but it looks stunning nevertheless. A car I would totally rock, save for the airride, but I can see why the owner opted for it. Overall a great build, love it!

40

As far as I can tell, that is NOT a SuperTrofeo Stradale wing. Rather it looks like a Murcielago Sv inspired piece, but it looks stunning nevertheless. A car I would totally rock, save for the airride, but I can see why the owner opted for it. Overall a great build, love it!

41

Ultimate eurotrash!

42

Ultimate eurotrash!

43

Controversial car is controversial. Stance? Check. Non-vintage splits? Check. Air ride on a performance car? Check. Rare factory race parts on a show car? Check. Yellow Calipers? OMFG check. The whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts.

44

People need to get over the air-ride hating.  Yes, it's not *AS* good as springs on track, but on a street car you can't beat it for practicality.  This has been rehashed so many times.   Even a stock Lambo would be too low for a lot of roads out there. 
I'm sick scrolling down to the comments section of every perfomence-car-on-bags post and seeing the same "airride ruined it" nonsense.  Every.  Time. 
Sick car.  Love it.

45

I actually really like this car. The air suspension makes it twice as good. I really love the pure carbon fiber pieces. It give the car a very raw look. I really like the seats too. The only thing i dislike is the omp steering wheel..but thats a personal problem lol i just hate the way its shaped. Great Build

46

Speedhunters_Bryn jasonmay the detail and interior shots are seriously good! As Bryn said, it's just different to what you're used to seeing. The amount of work that goes into artificial lighting would surprise most I think.

47

Its all good, bloody hell the wheels are HUGE though. 20x12!? Anyway I don't really understand the interior mods making it probably more uncomfortable but the seats are awesome. OMP wheel is old school LeMans style so I can appreciate, but random on a newer supercar.

48
therealnecroscope

Looks unfinished. I get wanting to show off your carbon, but this is the wrong way to do it, IMO.

49

Exactly as your dream car should be.
Exactly how you want it with 0 fucks given about what the internet wants.
Awesome car.

50

I found it amusing that this article would come right now, as I earlier today read the "Finland: The Land of Petrolheads" article. Thank you for keeping me inspired. Carbon fiber is so hard to draw though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A9hEndkGtU&feature=youtu.be

51

not too much, and not too little, juuuuust right! looks spot on!
as are the pictures!

52

not too much, and not too little, juuuuust right! looks spot on!
as are the pictures!

53

Personally it does look a hint unfinished  - I realise everyone wants to be lighter because lighter=faster but if it were me, I'd leave the front lip, diffuser and wing carbon looking and have the carbon guards etc colour matched to the car. ( lets face it, if you own a Lamborghini you can afford it) and anyone that is interested or wants to know , will know!..
Also people who don't know better will think you have just crashed the front end and can't afford to have it colour matched properly..   the steering wheel I can take or leave, some people just have a wheel they love the feel of and like to bring it forward through their cars.... in all it's an "Ugly Bull" trying to be a "Show-Pony".

54

Personally it does look a hint unfinished  - I realise everyone wants to be lighter because lighter=faster but if it were me, I'd leave the front lip, diffuser and wing carbon looking and have the carbon guards etc colour matched to the car. ( lets face it, if you own a Lamborghini you can afford it) and anyone that is interested or wants to know , will know!..
Also people who don't know better will think you have just crashed the front end and can't afford to have it colour matched properly..   the steering wheel I can take or leave, some people just have a wheel they love the feel of and like to bring it forward through their cars.... in all it's an "Ugly Bull" trying to be a "Show-Pony".

55

No padding for passengers?

56

iDraw Ok this is awesome!

57

joshwfifty5 Factory rear wheels are 19x11, so it's not much of a jump. Especially when compared to a heap of cars that go from a stock 15 or 16x6.5-inch wheel to an 18x10 or similar.

58

OscarPais Hey-yooo

59

Blake Jones Speedhunters_Bryn jasonmay Agreed - weird thing to say - these photos are simply shot in a different style, and are good.

60

Awesome!

61

Updated pics with the carbon hood would be nice.  pretty fresh style. Could see this in Japan ;  car club that sees track time. 
Added a lot of the practicality factor here with air-ride.

62

@Sleeves345 Some people think air rides are awesome when laid out.
I think they look like clapped out deathtraps with shot suspension. 
I think that it's just a gimmick that adds nothing and actually takes away from a cars practicality. 
But that's just my opinion.

63

Just awesome. Would love to see the carbon taken even further, maybe a carbon roof insert and engine cover? That weave really gleams!

64

Where can I get one of the Bjornwerks decals?

65

@LowFairlady_NZ I gotta agree about the steering wheel. I know an airbag could kill you at high speeds, but having a factory Lambo wheel, that's leather wrapped, with tech, and an airbag, would be more comfortable, and safer in the event of a low speed impact. Imagine smacking your face on your steering wheel just so you can use that Nardi woodgrain item you found, lol. Teeth: gone. Style: remains intact.

I guess that's the logic there.

66

@Kenny Air adds to the practicality of a lowered car. :)

67

Granted its looks sick and the stance is not bad, but the CF work on those fenders and other parts is horrible. The weaver is all over the place. Looks like amateurs laid the weave down. Sorry I'm comparing this work to pros like Pagani and Koeninsegg.

68

DieterManero Remember they're race parts.  They're meant to be light, cheap-ish (it's all relative), covered in livery, and easy to replace.  Weave matching isn't important. Nor is surface finish.

69

DieterManero Remember they're race parts.  They're meant to be light, cheap-ish (it's all relative), covered in livery, and easy to replace.  Weave matching isn't important. Nor is surface finish.

70

DieterManero Remember they're race parts.  They're meant to be light, cheap-ish (it's all relative), covered in livery, and easy to replace.  Weave matching isn't important. Nor is surface finish.

71

I'm a composite expert, and I want to say that the carbon is great in how it is made (pre-preg carbon that was autoclaved--you don't get better than that) . However, the carbon was not meant to be seen. When it arrived to him it was primered and ready for paint. The owner had the primer sanded off and then had the part cleared. If Lamborghini never intended for it to be seen then there was no reason for them to lay the carbon in one piece and make it aesthically pleasing, which is why you see it in patches--it was easier to make the curves and angles with patches versus one solid piece of carbon. If it is meant to be painted then there is no reason for them to do the extra work.
What the owner could have done is take the parts to be molded and then an aesthically pleasing carbon version could have been made. He has the money obviously, but perhaps that is not what he chose to do.

72

I'm a composite expert, and I want to say that the carbon is great in how it is made (pre-preg carbon that was autoclaved--you don't get better than that) . However, the carbon was not meant to be seen. When it arrived to him it was primered and ready for paint. The owner had the primer sanded off and then had the part cleared. If Lamborghini never intended for it to be seen then there was no reason for them to lay the carbon in one piece and make it aesthically pleasing, which is why you see it in patches--it was easier to make the curves and angles with patches versus one solid piece of carbon. If it is meant to be painted then there is no reason for them to do the extra work.
What the owner could have done is take the parts to be molded and then an aesthically pleasing carbon version could have been made. He has the money obviously, but perhaps that is not what he chose to do.

73

What people don't understand is that to make Carbon look very pretty it takes so much more work and time versus just making a part that is made of carbon. This part was the latter just made of carbon for a race car. It was meant to be painted, not to be seen.

74

What people don't understand is that to make Carbon look very pretty it takes so much more work and time versus just making a part that is made of carbon. This part was the latter just made of carbon for a race car. It was meant to be painted, not to be seen.

75

One thing that is bothering me about this build is the steering wheels distance from the paddle shifters...I am assume the red buttons on the wheel are linked to the shifting switch but that would be bloody awful changing gear like that....Thoughts?

76

One thing that is bothering me about this build is the steering wheels distance from the paddle shifters...I am assume the red buttons on the wheel are linked to the shifting switch but that would be bloody awful changing gear like that....Thoughts?

77

DaveT By taking a way a nice chunk of storage space, adding weight and multiple potential failure points just so you can get over that lip between your driveway and the road :)

78

Even though I'd do some things there differently, this is still one of my favorite builds on this site in last weeks.

79

NolanBjorn You'd have to ask for one!

80

NolanBjorn You'd have to ask for one!

81

NolanBjorn You'd have to ask for one!

82

The Accuair setup ruins the car.. Gross. That's gotta add some extra weight as well.

83

The Accuair setup ruins the car.. Gross. That's gotta add some extra weight as well.

84

The Accuair setup ruins the car.. Gross. That's gotta add some extra weight as well.

85

This car looks like it's been in a front-end collision and the owner didn't have enough money to paint the replacement panels.

86

Don't be a dick I don't see you posting your photos on speedhunters. And if you've ever had even a basic photography class you'd know these pics are actually pretty damn good.

87

Wildcardfox *totally* get what you're saying but I actually rather like the industrial/racecar look which has come out of him not having 'pretty carbon' - adds a ruggedness which contrasts really effectively with the luxury details elsewhere

88

Totally agree. I actually find it refreshing to see carbon that is imperfect instead of trying to be perfect. I actually saved a few of the pictures... specifically ones where I can see the patches. Sometimes there is perfection in imperfection.

89

Totally agree. I actually find it refreshing to see carbon that is imperfect instead of trying to be perfect. I actually saved a few of the pictures... specifically ones where I can see the patches. Sometimes there is perfection in imperfection.

90

Cool and all, but paint the carbon nose; it looks idiotic.

91

How low it sits looks insane!
But I think maybe black or gunmetal grey would have looked nicer

92

How low it sits looks insane!
But I think maybe black or gunmetal grey would have looked nicer

93

CoreyKononchuk Its an acquired look, but they said a carbon bonnet was on they way so im asuming when they get it all pieced together it will look much better!

94

CoreyKononchuk Its an acquired look, but they said a carbon bonnet was on they way so im asuming when they get it all pieced together it will look much better!

95

AbbeyA did a quick mockup 8 minutes in photoshop what it could have looked like...
http://i.imgur.com/3ZBiVq0.jpg

96

Radimax AbbeyA That looks mint! I personally would use a matte paint but metallic gloss looks ok as well it ties the gloss clear coat on the weave in with the rest of the car.

97

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