Lamborghini CEO Pays Tribute to Bob Wallace
Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has released a statement concerning the recent passing of Bob Wallace.
Wallace, who was Lamborghini’s first chief test driver, died late last week. Winkelmann commended him for playing an integral role in the early years of the Italian automaker’s existence. Wallace was the chief test driver for Lamborghini for 12 years from 1964 to 1975 and also served as a mechanic, playing a pivotal role in creating Lamborghini’s V12 engine.
“The news received today of the death of Bob Wallace hit me and all of us at Lamborghini and leaves us with a great sorrow,” Winkelmann said.
The chief test driver also helped develop the Lamborghini Miura, though the most famous vehicle he helped develop was the 1966 Lamborghini Miura Jota, which served as the basis for the production of the Miura SVJ despite being destroyed during a test drive.
“As the first test driver of the company, Wallace has played a key role in the early years of Lamborghini and strongly contributed to the birth of the myth of the Bull.”
Wallace was invited to Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary celebration at the automaker’s factory, but his health prevented it. However, he sent a video message that was played to the thousands of guests in attendance.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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