2005 Lamborghini Gallardo SE 'P3'

The SE was an uprated limited-edition model of just 250 examples

520bhp, sharper steering, stiffened suspension, improved gear ratios and a special interior

'P3' is the 3rd SE example (of 5) produced in individual colours at the start of the limited-edition run

Originally owned by Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

£50,000 upgrade to LP560-spec by Lamborghini specialists in Germany

Lightweight magnesium Lamborghini wheels (costing £15,000)

Stunning condition; 48,000 miles; full service history; future classic

The Lamborghini Gallardo was launched in 2003 (with production ending in 2013) and was the most successful model in the history of the company. With the help of parent company Audi, the Gallardo became the most usable and reliable model to ever leave the Sant"Agata factory – not to mention the most successful, with a total of 14,022 examples produced. Named after a famous breed of fighting bull, the V10-powered Gallardo was Lamborghini's stable-mate to a succession of V12 flagship models.

It was a landmark model too, the first genuinely all-new car to be made by Sant'Agata under Audi ownership. It also marked a return for the firm to making a more affordable, usable super sports car, something it hadn't done since the Jalpa went out of production in 1988.

The Gallardo has a light but stiff aluminium spaceframe, aluminium panels and a mid-mounted 5.0-litre V10 powering all four wheels on demand through a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed E-gear paddle-shift auto. In 2005, in response to feedback from some Gallardo customers, Lamborghini launched the uprated and limited-edition Gallardo SE.

With a total production run of only 250 units, the Gallardo SE was a truly limited-edition model, each with a numbered plaque, and is highly tipped to become a future collectors" choice. 250 cars represent only about one-fifth of the total 2004 production (about 1290 units) of the entire Gallardo range.

The SE is distinguished by having more power with 520bhp, sharper steering, stiffened suspension and better gear ratios, plus a contrasting black-roof and a special two-tone interior. All piping and stitching on the super-quality leather are executed in the same colour as the car's bodywork. The mid-section of the seats are finished in colour-coded upholstery and even the black floormats have a colour-coded border. A rear-view camera was standard on the SE, as was the multimedia and navigation system, sports suspension and an exclusive cover. The optional E-gear transmission came with a new function 'thrust' mode. This feature automatically revs the car to 5,000 rpm then drops the clutch engaging all four wheels in a controlled manner to ensure optimum acceleration. Autocar magazine said of the SE: ""Expensive, but makes the standard Gallardo seem almost ordinary.""

The car presented here is a 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo SE "P3" - 1 of only 5 SE models produced right at the start of the 250-production run. The 5 examples were all finished in different colours and all with individual plaques denoting P1 to P5.

This particular car (P3) has had a genuine £50,000 Lamborghini update to LP-560 spec (new bumpers, bonnet, full lights upgrade etc.), and was painted in the original P3 factory colour of Pearl Green, and fitted with lightweight magnesium Lamborghini wheels (costing £15,000 alone). This work was carried out three years ago in Germany by a Lamborghini specialist. This stunning car has covered just 48,000 miles and has a full Lamborghini service history. We believe the car was originally owned by Lamborghini, with its diligent owner doing more research on his car and is currently in discussions with Sant'Agata. The car is in splendid condition, driving and performing as well as you"d expect.

These early individual SE examples are rarely ever offered to the market, with P1 being advertised and sold in Holland last year, for reputedly £135,000. This is a chance to own a small piece of Lamborghini history.