this many is too many

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FOUR INCHES IS WELL WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE

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Over a 16 year production run, Lamborghini built 2042 Countach supercars.

I will admit that the word "iconic" has been horribly overused since Superman Returns, but in terms of exotic sportscars and teenage lust, very little compares to Lamborghini's iconic Countach. The Countach is an icon in the same sense that the venerated images of the saints are, mounted on walls by true believers, and looked to for hope and inspiration.

This post, however, is not about the Countach. It's about that car's corporate grandson - the Murcielago.

The Murcielago brings to mind a particular saying that I heard in some cartoon or movie years ago. The source never stuck with me, but the message did, which is to say: everything valuable is rare, but not everything rare is valuable.

Which brings me to today's announcement from Lamborghini (via Autoblog).

Italian Super sportscar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini proudly celebrates a historic event: an LP 670-4 SuperVeloce version of its current flagship V12 Murciélago, carrying series number 4,000, has just left Lamborghini's factory in Sant'Agata Bolognese, destined for a Chinese buyer.

That's right. There are 4000 (four-thousand) Lamborghini Murcielagos running around out there, and all of them were built in the last 9 years.

SO, I'd like to ask: how many is too many?

Would you call a Volkswagen Passat W8 a more exotic car than a Murcielago? There are more Murcis out there now than W8 Passats.

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THERE WERE ONLY SIX MADE WITH TRANSPARENT ALUMINUM

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I'm not sure how that line about everything valuable being rare plays out in the case of the Murcielago, but I can tell you this: 4000 seems like a lot of cars ... and there are even more Lamborghini Gallardos out there than there are Muricelagos.

In a few short months, the current batch of Lamborghinis will be more common than Fox-bodied Mustang Cobras, 4th-gen SS Camaros, and Buick GNXs. We are living in a world where late-model Lambos probably outnumber street-worthy US Lancias and Alfas by a wide margin, and yet ...

... I don't know, exactly, but that charging bull on the hood just doesn't seem so special anymore.

Congratulations, then, to Lamborghini, for making our icons a little more ordinary.

no spluh

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PICTURE RELATED

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Apparently, the idea that different words have different meanings is a novel enough concept that Neatorama picked up on it.

Snarkiness aside, however, Miss Cellania's post did highlight a fairly interesting New York Times survey about gays and lesbians serving in the military, with results showing that -

"seven in 10 respondents said they favor allowing 'gay men and lesbians' to serve in the military, including nearly 6 in 10 who said they should be allowed to serve openly. But support was somewhat lower among those who were asked about allowing 'homosexuals' to serve, with 59 percent in favor, including 44 percent who support allowing them to serve openly."

So, take from that what you will.

things that make my brain itchy, part 2

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(cue the Twilight Zone music)

German carmaker Audi is the official sponsor of Barack Obama's inauguration.

No, this is not the Weekly World News. It's not even some totally made-up BS propaganda like the WSJ.

This is real, so sayeth trusted American news source The Truth About Cars, who quotes Scott Keogh (Audi's chief marketing officer/talking head) as saying that “the uncommon shared experience of the inauguration offered a remarkable opportunity to connect with Americans. In honoring this historic moment, Audi is also communicating the inherent spirit of progress and innovation that is the core of our corporate DNA.”

Sure, Scott. Whatever you say. CLICK HERE for the original TTAC article.

Happy MLK day, everyone!

i love palm beach

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I keep hearing about truth being stranger than fiction. Well, this isn't really STRANGER than anything I could write ... but it certainly is stupider!

Come to think of it, "stupider" may not be a word ... in any event, it seems that one Mr. Frank Singleton was released from the Palm Beach County jail after having been arrested THE NIGHT BEFORE. Singleton, who later told police that "he didn't want to walk", made his way to the parking lot and attempted to carjack a 23 year-old woman driving a Nissan 350Z.

After wresting the keys from the young woman, Singleton got into the waiting Z ... and just sat there.

Said 350Z was equipped with a 6-speed manual, and Mr. Singleton (Super Genius) does not know how to drive stick.

Really.

Once inside the car, Singleton was effectively "cornered" by pastor Leo Krug, who held him at gunpoint until police arrived to make the arrest.

That's right, kids: PASTOR Leo Krug apprehended a carjacker (who can't drive stick) at GUNPOINT in the parking lot of the Palm Beach County Jail.

It doesn't get much better than this.