Page 1 of 2 Next >> According to an often repeated story, wealthy industrialist Ferruccio Lamborghini was prompted to build his own cars after complaining about the build quality and the price of repairs of his recently acquired 250 GT, Enzo Ferrari told Lamborghini to stick to building tractors and leave building the cars to him. This may very well have happened but Lamborghini also recognised a business opportunity when he learned of the premium Ferrari charged for off-the-shelve components like a clutch.
To ensure the new Lamborghini road car could immediately rival the likes of Ferrari, Ferruccio Lamborghini hired some of the very best engineers and designers. Among them was former Ferrari employee Giotto Bizzarrini, who was tasked to design a brand new V12 engine and the hugely talented and often underrated stylist Franco Scaglione. Within months, the first car to bear the Lamborghini name was built. Dubbed the 350 GTV, it was first shown at the 1963 Turin Motor Show.
The 350 GTV featured a straightforward steel square-section chassis, with all-round independent suspension. The engine Bizzarrini had designed was equally sophisticated, sporting twin overhead camshafts. Although Ferruccio Lamborghini had specifically instructed Bizzarrini to design a road car engine, the Italian engineer simply could not help himself and during the first test run, the 3.5 litre V12 produced a staggering 350 bhp. It was mated to a five-speed gearbox supplied by ZF. Page 1 of 2 Next >>
Ultimatecarpage.com
> Cars by brand
> Italy
> Lamborghini
350 GTV
According to an often repeated story, wealthy industrialist Ferruccio Lamborghini was prompted to build his own cars after complaining about the build quality and the price of repairs of his recently acquired 250 GT, Enzo Ferrari told Lamborghini to stick to building tractors and leave building the cars to him. This may very well have happened but Lamborghini also recognised a business opportunity when he learned of the premium Ferrari charged for off-the-shelve components like a clutch.