Italian exotics have always attracted car enthusiasts like moths to a flame, and unfortunately it’s also an area where the earwigs of our society have also made hay. If you go through the rogues gallery of replica sportscar manufacturers, I’d guess that 90% of them have been involved in the production of some sort of Lamborghini or Ferrari replica – or not as the case may be!!!! More recently things have improved with makers of better standing and integrity, (with a few exceptions) and a distinct lack of bulldog type characters with Crombie overcoats in charge of sales operations. Believe me when I say I could tell you stories that would make your sandwiches curl.

The Lamborghini Countach is perhaps the classic example of testosterone induction with more companies making replica versions than Lamborghini sold originals and unfortunately even Lambo’s abysmal build quality surpassed most of the replica manufacturers. Certainly it’s perhaps the biggest ignitor of dreams this industry has ever witnessed, although regrettably most kits have ended up as ‘front garden ornaments or sheds of tears’.

Nazio Manis, and his partner Bill Glazier were no different to hundreds of other Lamborghini Countach replica kit builders who purchased a product and eventually ended up with superb cars, but according to Naz this meant tears at bedtime at various stages and several hair tearing exercises culminating with Naz buying a real Countach body and amending it to fit a GTD GT40 chassis, as he didn’t like the chassis offered by the manufacturer concerned.

Cutting a long and interesting story short, Naz could see that the writing was on the wall for the Countach in terms of its desirability, and focused in on the then current Lambo Diablo model as a subject for replication and over a two year period painstakingly set out to create an Italian replica that could be built by the average guy in his single garage, without a degree in rocket science. So it was in May 2000 that the fledgling company Parallel Designs was born at that year’s Stoneleigh show, and their first Torero S demonstrator, replicating the VT version of the Diablo was arguably the star of that event.

Still though, many dismissed Naz’s little Croydon based company as just another Italian exotic ‘here today gone tomorrow outfit’, but those ‘in the know’ knew differently, and kept a close watch on the guys activities, and a few people were sufficiently moved to hand over deposits and those cars are now beginning to appear. By 2001 the silver grey SV Diablo (their next demo) took centre stage and people were now starting to take the company very seriously. Even then there was no laurel resting at Parallel Designs, funded by Naz’s highly successful other business that specialises in Mercedes Benz and BMW repair with some serious ‘blue chip’ clients as his customers. (I saw one of the Sultan of Brunei’s Mercs in the workshop on the day I visited).

Speaking of workshops the company have just moved into a spanking new unit on a modern business park in Mitcham, which is just over the Croydon boundary into Merton, and again I think it’s indicative of their aims and aspirations. They want to prove that they are not just another Lamborghini copyist. Some readers may have seen the Californian Orange Diablo at Stoneleigh this year, and this is their first attempt at Lamborghini’s GTR version, and is being built for a customer called Andy Finch, and it’s nearly complete, tantalising Andy because he so badly wants to drive it. Mind you I quickly stop laughing because no doors means no test drive for me. However Naz says that with trade plates fixed it’ll be alright to take it for a quick run up the A217. I’m not so sure, but do decide to have a little two-mile spin in the bizarre doorless supercar. People’s expressions are incredible and I’m not sure if it’s the look of the car or the fact that it has no doors. Probably both.

Having driven their Silver SV version I’d say that even in only 80% complete mode the GTR is in a different league and according to Naz it’s because they have proven they can supply a Lamborghini replica that can be built and now aim to take things to another level. Even in its raw state I’d not disagree, and the whole thing feels solid and there isn’t a rattle to be heard. I’m a little inhibited to sample its undoubted power that I know is there, (the engine is a Rover V8 tuned to TVR Griffith 500 spec that had been uprated to 5.2-litres and 425bhp at a cost of £8,000 by its previous owner, although I decided against asking what had become of the TVR it was transplanted from! The interior is a work of art in dark blue Alcantara piped in orange and really is as per original Lamborghini Diablo GTR. This one differs slightly from the norm because Andy wanted 18-inch wheels all-round rather than 17-inch on the front although they definitely suit the car and the 335/30 Pirelli Pzero Assimetrico rubber out back looks fantastic. (with 235/40 on the front).

The chassis, made in-house, underpinning the Torero S is a pretty competent backbone semi-spaceframe that is actually very similar to the original Diablo with cast unequal length double wishbones all round and other suspension components – a combination of Ford Granada Mk3 and Parallel’s own bespoke parts and Naz tells me that they are gradually eliminating the Ford components. The body is made from GRP and seems to be of very good quality and comes supplied as a one piece moulding, sans doors, bonnet and bumpers. Of the 18 cars sold so far Naz says that some have been supplied in rolling chassis form which seems like the ideal way to go as much of the hard jobs are done for you as it comes complete with front uprights, brakes, top and bottom ball joints, steering rack & column, dampers and springs all pre-fitted. The cost for this is just £4,650 all in, although bear in mind that if you want the pukka wheels and tyres you’ll need to add another £2,500.

The Parallel version of the Diablo wheels may seem expensive at around £1,500 per set but compare that price to the original magnesium items at £1,500 per CORNER, of course like any original component the company can source them for you if you insist on complete originality. For those that want to do everything themselves the basic chassis package complete with wishbones and rear uprights comes in at £2,900, while the body kit, starts at £3,900 for the VT version rising to £7,000 for the GTR. The company will take the car to any stage you want, up to and including turnkey.

So what’s all this going to cost? Well if you are doing it yourself a lot will depend on the spec you want to end up with and your budget of course, but a decent SV or VT can be completed for around £28,000 with the GTR a little more expensive at £35,000. If you want Naz to build you one, then it’ll cost you £55,000 depending again on the final specification. Although I’ve been aware of Parallel Designs and appreciated the standard of their cars I’d seen so far, it wasn’t until I visited their workshop, and spoke to Naz, that I understood fully the thinking behind the company, and the single-minded determination to supply the best possible products. It means that I’m confident that this is a company going places in a hurry without cutting corners. Sometimes we don’t for whatever reason look beneath the skin, and when we do look closer we’re sometimes very pleasantly surprised at what we find.