Shaquille O'Neal's White Lamborghini Gallardo Supercar

Introduction

In the world of sports and entertainment, it's no surprise that celebrities love to show off their flashy toys. For basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, that meant adding a Lamborghini Gallardo to his incredible car collection. This Italian supercar is the epitome of speed, luxury and style - a perfect match for the larger-than-life O'Neal. Let's take a closer look at Shaq's awesome Lambo Gallardo and how he came to own this exotic ride.

Shaq's Love of Cars

During his 19 seasons in the NBA, Shaquille O'Neal earned well over $300 million in salary alone. Naturally, he spent a healthy chunk of that change on his passion - expensive luxury and sports cars. Shaq's garage has included beasts like the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Mercedes SLR McLaren, Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Wrangler and several Ferrari's over the years. He always had a fondness for Lamborghinis as well.

Being a huge 7-foot-1 inch tall man, Shaq certainly stands out driving around in low-slung Italian supercars. While he could barely squeeze into some models, the Gallardo proved a great match for the Diesel's giant frame. What first drew him to the raging bull brand? As Shaq told duPont Registry magazine: "What I love about Lamborghini is the performance and the bold style. Every Lamborghini lets people know you've arrived."

Picking the Lamborghini Gallardo

The Lamborghini Gallardo represents the Italian automaker's "entry level" model, slotting below the flagship V12 Aventador. Don't let the label fool you - the Gallardo packs a ferocious 5.2-liter V10 engine pumping out over 500 horsepower. This mid-engine exotic can hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds and a top speed of 195 mph. Shaq's Gallardo coupe featured a 6-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drive for all-weather grip.

This generation Gallardo was produced from 2003 to 2013, representing the most successful model in Lamborghini history with over 14,000 units sold. The name "Gallardo" refers to a famous breed of fighting bulls from Spanish history, fitting the brand's image and heritage. Shaq clearly related to the meaning behind that powerful name.

The Gallardo offered just the right mix of prestige, performance and comfort to fit O'Neal's needs. It provided the racing cred and show-off factor he wanted, while remaining practical enough to serve as a daily driver. The coupe's subtle styling profile also suited his preferences over say, the attention-grabbing Lamborghini Aventador.

Shaq's White Gallardo

Shaq's Lamborghini Gallardo featured a sleek white exterior paint job. The white color really emphasized the Gallardo's wedgy profile and sharp lines. The model came with stylish 19-inch wheels, xenon headlights and LED accent lighting touches. Big brake discs with Gallardo lettering peeked out from behind the wheels.

The high-revving V10 sat just behind the cockpit under a see-through engine cover, putting the powertrain on display. A black soft top roof folded down for open-air driving. Inside, two-tone black and white leather covered the heated sport seats and steering wheel. The interior featured suede accents and rhombus-quilted stitching on the upholstery, along with carbon fiber trim.

Though already a performer straight from the factory, Shaq reportedly upgraded his Gallardo with a Capristo exhaust system. This provided an even throatier and exotic sound from the big V10. Given his customization, it's likely he added other personal touches to make the Lamborghini his own as well.

Why Shaq Sold His Gallardo

Though he clearly enjoyed showing off the Gallardo, Shaq ended up selling this Lamborghini after a couple years of ownership. With his busy life and other car commitments, it simply wasn't driven much. Maintenance and upkeep on 200 mph Italian supercars doesn't come cheap either.

In a video with Celebrity Cars Las Vegas, Shaq explained his rationale for eventually selling the Gallardo: "I had the car for two years and I never really drove it. I'd just gotten divorced at the same time, so I was like alright, let me get rid of some of these cars."

Even multi-millionaires need to make practical financial decisions during life changes. Shaq took the opportunity to unload his Lamborghini, freeing up some serious cash in the process. The Gallardo was subsequently sold to a private collector, where it resides today.

Shaq's Post-NBA Garage

Don't feel too bad for the big fella. Shaq's garage didn't stay empty for long after selling the Gallardo. Being a car guy, his collection was rebuilt and expanded again after retirement. Other notable rides include:

• Smart Car: Yes, Shaq really squished himself into one of these micro machines as a prank.
• Ford F-150: The Diesel drives this pickup for more normal duties.
• Cadillac Escalade: Shaq likes to lay down and nap in the back of this luxury SUV.
• Buick Lucerne: Who doesn't need a sensibleBuick now and then?
• Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat: With a 700+ hp V8, this muscle car gets Shaq's heart pumping.
• Custom Polaris Slingshot: Shaq had this 3-wheeler customized to fit his size.

As revealed on TNT's Inside the NBA, Shaq's car collection today is filled with far more modest vehicles compared to the NBA days. But that doesn't mean he won't surprise fans now and then with a new exotic. Would he ever get another Lamborghini? Given Shaq's renewed love of life after divorce and retirement, don't count that out!

FAQs

What Lamborghini model did Shaq own?

Shaq owned a white Lamborghini Gallardo two-seat coupe. The Gallardo was Lamborghini's "entry level" V10 supercar at the time.

What engine did Shaq's Gallardo have?

Shaq's Gallardo came equipped with a 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine producing over 500 horsepower. This mid-mounted engine could rocket the car to 60 mph in under 4 seconds.

Why did Shaq ultimately sell his Gallardo?

Shaq admitted that he rarely drove the Gallardo during the couple years he owned it. After going through a divorce, he decided to sell the Lambo to simplify his finances and car collection.

Did Shaq customize or modify his Gallardo?

Yes, Shaq reportedly added a Capristo exhaust system to his Gallardo for an even more aggressive exhaust note. He likely customized other aspects to personalize the car.

What other cars has Shaq owned?

Other notable cars Shaq has owned include several Ferraris, a Mercedes McLaren SLR, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Jeep Wrangler, Cadillac Escalade, Ford F-150 and more.