The Lamborghini Aventador has always been more than just a supercar—it’s a statement. When it debuted in 2011 as the successor to the Murciélago, the Aventador didn’t just set a new benchmark for Lamborghini; it redefined what a modern V12 flagship could be. Now, the very first Aventador to touch American soil has found a permanent home, not in a private garage, but in the hallowed halls of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
The First American Lamborghini Aventador
Automobili Lamborghini recently donated a 2011 Aventador Coupé (Model Year 2012) to the Petersen, securing its place among one of the most important modern car collections in the world. And this isn’t just any Aventador. This particular car was the first example brought into North America, long before the public even knew what an Aventador was. It served as a hush-hush preview vehicle, flown across New York, Miami, and Los Angeles for secret events designed to stir excitement among VIPs and prospective buyers.
After the Aventador’s global launch, this coupe became a workhorse for the brand. It starred in press and marketing campaigns, doubled as a service-training car, and even turned laps in multiple track events. Few cars wear so many hats before retiring, and now it will rest on display in the Petersen’s newly extended Vault, ready to be admired by enthusiasts and historians alike.
A Historic V12
The Aventador’s importance to Lamborghini can’t be overstated. Not only did it debut the brand’s carbon-fiber monocoque construction, but it also carried forward the naturally aspirated V12—an engine configuration central to the brand’s DNA since the 1960s. At launch, the Aventador’s 6.5-liter V12 produced 691 horsepower, sending shockwaves through the supercar world with its speed, sound, and futuristic design.
Andrea Baldi, CEO of Automobili Lamborghini Americas, underscored the symbolic weight of the donation:
“The Lamborghini V12 is essential to the DNA of the brand. It’s a symbol of Lamborghini’s performance and engineering prowess. With our donation to the Petersen Automotive Museum, this Aventador has found a special home to be admired by auto enthusiasts and passionate fans of the brand.”
That legacy is undeniable. Over its decade-long production run, the Aventador became Lamborghini’s best-selling V12 model ever, far surpassing the Murciélago, Diablo, and Countach. The car’s combination of design drama, brute force, and advanced materials made it a bridge between Lamborghini’s analog past and its technology-driven future.
A Museum Milestone
For the Petersen Automotive Museum, the gift represents a major addition to its growing collection of modern icons. Terry L. Karges, the museum’s executive director, called it a milestone moment: “We are so grateful that Lamborghini has supported our effort to grow our collection of significant vehicles from the past 25 years.”
Visitors to the Petersen can now view the Aventador in the museum’s expanded Vault, which houses everything from classic hot rods to rare exotics. For car enthusiasts, the chance to see the first Aventador in America up close isn’t just about appreciating one car—it’s about understanding a pivotal chapter in Lamborghini’s history.
And now, the car that once traveled in secrecy to preview events and blitzed tracks under the Lamborghini banner has found its forever home—fittingly, in the city that knows a thing or two about star power.
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