After 40 years of service with a single company, most employees look forward to receiving a cheap watch in an expensive box as a reward. Lamborghini isn’t your typical company and Valentino Balboni isn’t your typical employee.

In 1967 Balboni was hired by Ferrucio Lamborghini himself who immediately recognized his talents for testing and developing cars. To celebrate Balboni’s contributions to every Lamborghini since his start with the company, a special edition Gallardo, the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni will be offered for sale in a limited number of 250 units. Far from just a product of badge engineering, this will be the only current Lamborghini offered in rear-wheel drive. The car comes standard with a 45% locking limited slip differential to help get all 550hp from the 5.2 liter V10 to the ground.

The stability control has also been recalibrated to allow for more sideways, tire-smoking Italian drift action. The suspension, transmission and even aerodynamic balance of the car has been reworked for more aggressive driving as well. This is a true drivers Lamborghini, but like most exotics, we expect to see more in Hollywood restaurant valets than in the canyons or at the track. I am sure Valentino will shed a tear every time a guy in a rhinestone encrusted t-shirt and his girl friend’s jeans fires up his namesake just so he can get behind the velvet rope.

Lamborghini has set the base price at $219,800 for the US, but we don’t expect many to be sitting in showrooms waiting for would-be customers. If you haven’t put your deposit down already, you are out of luck. Mr. Balboni is an amazing man who through his contributions has shaped the cars of Lamborghini into what they are today. This will be a truly amazing car, don’t let our jaded view of Lamborghini drivers spoil your impression of such an amazing machine.

Check out the official Lamborghini video of the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni.