The Lamborghini Gallardo is no more..

It’s the end of the line for Lamborghini’s best-selling sports car, which has sold more than 14,000 units since production began in 2003.

In fact, nearly half of all the 30,000 Lamborghinis built since the company was first founded in 1963, are Gallardos.

The final car leaving the production line is a Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante in Rosso Mars (red), marking the end of the line for a model that was produced in 32 variants.

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann joins workers on the company’s historic production line at its Sant’Agata Bolognese headquarters.

The Gallardo made its first appearance at the company’s 40th anniversary and marked something of a watershed in the history of Lamborghini. Prior to its introduction just 250 Lamborghinis were built each year, but in the subsequent decade annual production increased to more than 2,000 while the Lamborghini brand became far more accessible around the world.

During its lifetime the Gallardo spawned the world’s fastest single-brand race series – the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, and gained global prominence through special service editions such as the Gallardo Polizia Stradale with blue lights, special paintwork and dedicated ‘pursuit’ equipment. Two cars remain in service with the Italian State Police, despite one being written off when it crashed into a row of parked cars.

It’s replacement due sometime in 2014 will serve the same market, but in Lamborghini tradition adopt a new model name – inspired by the spirit of a Spanish bull. Carrying the internal code name LP724, the new model will share key components with the next-generation Audi R8 including a lightweight aluminium spaceframe structure, but use an updated version of the Gallardo’s naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine.

Look out for the Gallardo’s successor at next year’s Geneva motor show.