Story: Alex Bernstein
Photography: William Stern
At just 22 years of age, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman holds the world record for fastest recorded pitch in the Majors: a blindingly swift 105 mph. A natural in terms of speed, it’s no surprise that the red-hot hurler wanted to strike hard off the diamond as well. While his fastball may have taken years to develop, closing on his dream car—a Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640—was as easy as one, two, three.
After going pro and moving to Miami, Chapman threw a curve at his financial advisor and dropped stacks on his own merciless Murci. “There was no way I was passing up this car,” he says. “I had to get it.” Though nearly perfect from the Sant’Agata factory, Chapman couldn’t resist dropping off the raging bull at Miami’s MC&A Customs for a little extra attention. But with the excitement catching up to him, he quickly had shop owner Jhulio toss back the keys. Only having had enough time to throw on a set of Vellano VTKs, Jhulio knew what was going on: Chapman just couldn’t wait for that ceremonial first whip of his new ride. Before long, the Lambo was back, and it was MC&A’s turn to bring the heat.
“When he got it back to me, he said, ‘I just want you to go crazy on it,’” explains Jhulio. “So I did.” Deciding to mix black accents in with the factory pearl white, the shop hit every possible spot without going overboard: roof, side skirts, air vents and more—including color-matched headlights to further complement the scheme. With the exterior on point, Jhulio figured he’d build the bull to be loud in more ways than one. Utilizing ARC amps and components, paired with a 13-inch JL flat sub, the Lambo’s custom system hits so hard, it’s a good thing pitchers use hand signals. But with monstrous music from the 6.2-liter V12 right behind his head, Chapman usually only shows the stereo’s brute power when sitting still.
Now with over $40K invested inside and out, Chapman’s LP 640 is an All-Star-level ace that rolls through Miami Beach like it was Lambo Little League. Paint glistening, system booming and engine screaming, it’s yet another out-of-the-park hit by MC&A. Everything else is a swing and a miss.
Spec The Technique:
Performance: Veloce sport exhaust system
Interior: Exterior-matching leather/suede seats, headliner and door panels; painted plastics; chromed lower dash, interior pillars; Escalade center console
Exterior: Blacked-out roof, upper air gilles, door pillars and side lower scoops; two-tone rocker panels; color-matched headlamps; smoked lights; black Lamborghini logo
Ice: Arc Audio 300.4 amp, Arc Audio 500.1 amp, Arc Audio component speakers; JL Audio 13-inch flat sub; custom trunk amp rack, fab enclosure behind passenger seat
Wheels/Tires: Vellano VTKs, 19-inch front, 20-inch rear; Pirelli tires, 235/35/19 front, 345/25/20 rear
