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'The Cannonball Run' Lamborghini Countach now on the National Historic Vehicle Register

Just a few months ago the National Historic Vehicle Register, which documents historically significant automobiles, added the "Back to the Future" Delorean to its ranks. Now another big-time '80s movie car joins the ranks: the 1979 Lamborghini Countach from "The Cannonball Run." And in case you hadn't guessed, the film is a comedy based on the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash cross-country rally that Brock Yates organized. Funny enough, the Countach isn't really the hero car. The film's main protagonists played by Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise drive a Dodge ambulance. But the Countach still got high billing and some key shots. Not only was it on the film poster, but it got the opening scene featuring its drivers, two women in close-fitting jumpsuits. Add in its own striking looks, and it's understandable that the Lamborghini stuck in many people's minds. According to the Register's organization, the Hagerty Driver's Foundation, the car was restored in 2009 back to film specification. The car really wasn't much different from a factory model save for its various antennae, auxiliary lights and oodles of exhaust tips. The interior apparently had to be redone in the film's tan, as it had been changed to maroon at some point in its life. It doesn't have too many miles on it either at just over 16,000, and it's had three owners. The Countach joins a wide array of other automobiles from films, motorsports and elsewhere. One of the other major movie cars is the original "Bullitt" Mustang. You can find the full list, here, and the Countach will be on display at the National Mall in Washington D.C. from Sept. 24 to Sept. 30. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD gets a range of modifications from Novitec

Lamborghini sees its rear-wheel-drive Huracan Evo as a masterpiece. German tuner Novitec views it as a blank canvas. It announced a panoply of interior, exterior and chassis parts developed specifically for the model. Novitec isn't intimidated by the Raging Bull's tail-wagging rear-wheel-drive coupe. It has tuned a long list of exotic cars, including the McLaren Senna and Ferrari's limited-edition SP1 and SP2 models. Its updates normally tilt toward the subtle side of the scale (we suggest calling Mansory if you're after pure extravagance), and its Huracan is no exception. It looks tamer than the factory-built, race car-inspired STO model introduced in November 2020. Carbon fiber add-ons give the coupe a more muscular look, and Novitec claims they also improve the aerodynamic profile. Side skirts lower the Huracan's ground clearance while channeling more cooling air to the rear brakes, for example. Out back, a redesigned wing increases puts more downforce on the rear axle than the factory unit. Not all of the updates are cosmetic. Novitec offers a set of lowering sport springs developed specifically for the rear-wheel-drive variant of the Huracan (whose front end is lighter than the all-wheel-drive model's). Alternatively, it joined forces with KW to design an aluminum coilover suspension system built with racing technology. Users who choose this option can dial in one of 13 compression and rebound profiles in the low- and high-speed ranges. Novitec did not modify the Huracan's naturally-aspirated, 5.2-liter V10 engine, which makes 610 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. However, its catalog of parts includes a high-performance exhaust system available in stainless steel or in Inconel, a lighter material often found in Formula One cars. Both can be plated in .999 gold for better heat dissipation. Different exhaust tips (including some made with carbon) are on the menu, too. Emblems, wheel spacers, and what Novitec calls a virtually unlimited range of upholstery colors and materials round out the list of personalization options available. Pricing largely depends on the scope of the modifications requested. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Italian cops get a Lamborghini to haul some precious cargo

Three years ago, we told you about Lamborghini's gift to law and order: a Huracan LP 610-4 that was donated to the Italian State Police. That car went into service near Rome in 2015, replacing a Gallardo they'd been using previously. Now, a second Huracan has just been delivered for service in the region around Bologna. Law enforcement may be done a bit differently in the country that convicted, acquitted, re-convicted and re-acquitted Amanda Knox. But why would a police agency need a $200,000, 610-horsepower supercar? Firstly, no one in their right mind turns down a free Lamborghini. Second, it's a display of national pride, decked out, to quote the press release, in "the official colors of the Italian Police (Police Medium Blue), with the white areas and lettering specially executed to match the Huracan's dynamic look. The livery is completed by a stripe divided into the three colors of the Italian flag, which runs along both sides of the vehicle. As is true for all Lamborghini cars, the Huracan Polizia is equipped with P Zero Pirelli tires, but their sidewalls are tinted in Police Medium Blue and were specially created for the occasion." And third, they actually did dream up a role that suits its capabilities. In addition to the usual cop-car complement of police radio, tablet computer, gun holster, fire extinguisher and hand-held sign for directing traffic, the Lambo has been designated for medical responses and, like many police cars in the States, carries a defibrillator for medical emergencies. More to the point, its front trunk is equipped with a special refrigeration system for transporting human organs for transplant. The authorities describe two cases in 2016 in which a series of transplants had donor organs busily crisscrossing the Lombardy and Tuscany regions to various recipients – a situation in which speed is of the essence. Between organ transplants, presumably the car's primary duty will be to look good, serving as an ambassador of goodwill for both the Polizia as well as Lamborghini. Related Video: