Who would have possibly known that a rivalry between two raging Italians would spur a generation of sharp, aggressive-looking, and high-performance machines, born to make life difficult for every Ferrari ever? But that is precisely what happened in the 1960s when the launch of the Lamborghini 350GT catapulted Lamborghini into supercar stardom. All Lamborghini 350GTs featured a 3.5-litre V12 engine, packing 270 horsepower and 325 Nm torque mated to a 5-speed ZF stick shift. All this was enough to accelerate to 60 mph in a hurtling 6.8 seconds before topping out at 158 mph. Safe to say, Lamborghini’s first-ever Grand Tourer delivered enough punch (with style) to take on any Sant 'Agata backroad. However, a limited production run meant the 350GT demands skyrocketing prices, ranging from mid $400,000 to $923,000 for the rarer, more exceptional car models.
In a bustling Italy, Ferrucio Lamborghini, a tractor manufacturer, had the idea to challenge Ferrari, an automobile brand making significant grounds in the realm of motorsports. Amid back-and-forth replies and heated arguments, Mr. Ferruccio Lamborghini replied with a prototype model called the Lamborghini 350GTV, which debuted at the 1963 Turin Motor Show. However, the engineers returned to the drawing-room upon discovering that the GTV's V12 engine was too upscaled for a 'Grand Tourer'. After significant engine and body modifications, the prototype soon evolved into its final form. Enter the Lamborghini 350GT. The manufacturing of aluminium-made bodies was left to the mastery of the Italian coachmaker Carrozzeria Touring, who, thanks to their patented Superleggera method, helped produce lightweight structures, providing significant weight benefits. What was previously an 'upscaled' engine now became a much more reliable and fit-for-street-use Grand Tourer that could dominate any country road you threw its way. The first-ever Lamborghini featured in the 1964 Geneva Motor Show captured overwhelming response and enthusiasm among manufacturers and journalists, giving Mr. Lamborghini enough reason to mass-produce the Lamborghini 350GT. The successive launch cemented Lamborghini's survival in the automobile sector and made it a force to be reckoned with, especially for Enzo Ferrari. In a span of 2 years, May 1964 – 1966, a total of 120 Lamborghini 350GT examples came off the Lamborghini lot in Italy before finally being replaced by its successor, the Lamborghini 400 GT.
Shortly after encountering Enzo Ferrari, a fuming Ferrucio Lamborghini assigned his then-engineer Giotto Bizzarrini to develop an engine that could give Ferrari a run for its money. Eventually, it was the same engine featured in the Lamborghini GTV prototype, a 3.5-litre dual overhead camshaft V12 engine mated to a 5-speed ZF manual gearbox. Boasting a healthy 360 hp and 326 Nm torque, the GTV would achieve a (claimed) top speed of 174 mph, a significant feat for the early 1960s. While the Bizzarrini-designed Lamborghini GTV engine was optimized for race conditions, it still needed to address the intended need: to develop a trouble-free and reliable engine suitable for Grand Touring conditions. It was back to the drawing room for Lamborghini engineers, who soon developed a modified, street-friendly version of the Bizzarrini-designed 3.5-liter V12. Engineers Dallara and Wallace set to make changes to the engine, such as reducing the compression ratio, softening the cam profiles, changing oil filters, replacing the oiling system, and relocating distributors. Under the hood, the GT 350 now packed a modest 270 horsepower and 325 Nm torque, capable of pushing the rear drive-biased Lamborghini from a standstill to 60 mph in a blistering-quick 6.8 seconds until it topped out at 158 mph (254 kph). Courtesy of their patented Superleggera method, the aluminium-bodied structure designed by Tour of Milan allowed the Lamborghini 350GT to tip the scales at only 1,451 kilos.
Apart from the clutch, one of the few things Ferrucio Lamborghini addressed Ferrari that he found faulty in his Ferrari 250 GT was its inability and ineffectiveness as a Grand Tourer. To Mr Lamborghini, the Ferrari 250 GT did not strike as a car that one might take out for a spin over the weekend. However, with the Lamborghini 350GT, Ferruccio sought to prioritize comfort over racecar-like characteristics in the form of a smooth engine complemented with an exquisitely crafted and easy-to-understand interior laden with leather, not to forget a working clutch. Luckily, the leather extends from the dash to the door panels and the passenger and driver seats, ensuring no exposed pieces of steel and aluminium are in sight. The interior features a classic, three-spoke wood steering wheel overlooking a set of gauges showing cool-looking font styles, including an RPM tachometer highlighting up to 7,000 revs! Towards the right, you are greeted by familiar-looking and straightforward toggle switches for basic controls, such as windshield wipers, reminding one of a fighter jet cockpit. The switches sit on top of a handful of gauges depicting various information about the car, like engine temperature, etc., followed by warning lights and labels right above the gauges. Meanwhile, moving further down the centre console, a five-speed stick shift is revealed, located just by a shiny ashtray. However, the interior still lacks features like air-con and radio, but who really needs a radio when you can always listen to the melodious V12?
Designing the Lamborghini 350GT was left in the artful hands of an Italian automobile designer, Franco Scaglione, who was responsible for penning down one of the most beautiful cars ever, the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. Safe to say, the Lambo's exterior styling echoes the Alfa Romeo's stunning character, including a low and sleek front grille, as a result of which, the 350GT, especially the exterior, speaks volumes of simplicity, elegance and a timeless design that ages like fine wine. Later, the Touring of Milan was commissioned to manufacture the bodies using aluminium and steel alloys to create lightweight tubular frames. Meanwhile, two oval-shaped headlights can be located above the bold front grille, complementing the rest of the car’s elegant profile. Eventually, the classic yet artistic side profile blends to the back, which reveals four thin tailpipes in a set of two. Also, rather than adopting angular and round rear windows like the GTV, the Lamborghini 350GT retained narrow and relatively flatter rear windows to make room for better visibility.
The 1960s was an era when automobile manufacturers were predominantly focused on building race cars and achieving success in the motorsport world, giving birth to automotive legends like the Ford GT and the Ferrari 250 GTO. Similarly, the Lamborghini 350GT emphasised little on being a technological marvel but more on making a statement. Nonetheless, it retained some basic technological features, including a rear limited slip differential for better traction on higher speeds and track-like conditions. Also, the 350GT featured an all-around independent suspension system to aid in fast cornering and better stability. Lastly, aluminium alloys were used on specific body parts for a long-lasting effect and corrosive resistance, not to mention a weight advantage.
The Lamborghini 350GT might be more of a legend because of its limited production run and less for being the first Lamborghini ever. With a total of 120 examples, the 350GT attains a ‘collector status’ demanding mind-boggling prices. Most auction prices kick off from mid $500,000 and climb to the $750,000 mark for the most prestigious, well-maintained, and rarer models of the 350GT. Meanwhile, specific restored versions can set you back by $935,000. Additional trim levels include the 350GTS (or the Grand Tourer Spyder), a roadster-inspired convertible version of the 350GT that never made it into production, with only two examples created ever. Also, a later collaboration between designer Ercole Spada and Zagato helped bring a custom-built version of the 350GT to light, called the 3500 GTZ. With just two examples made worldwide, only one survived, making the 3500 GTZ by Zagato extremely rare and expensive - if you can find it for sale! Still, you might visit the Lamborghini listings at Exotic Car Trader to add a classic Lamborghini to your collection.
In conclusion, the Lamborghini 350GT doesn't just serve looks but purpose, too. It effectively redesigned the way manufacturers, including Ferrari, produce Grand Tourers. For more information, contact Exotic Car Trader to help you with exotic car-related purchases and sales. Buying a classic Lamborghini can be painstaking; however, with Exotic Car Trader, purchasing a classic or any modern Lamborghini is made simple through a straightforward buying process. Visit our site now to source multiple classic cars listed for sale. Alternatively, you may list your car for sale at Exotic Car Trader using a simplified process protected with industry-best fraudulent checks. Safe to say, the 350GT was just a start for Lamborghini, paving the way for future classics and automotive legends, including the likes of Lamborghini Miura, Islero, Espada, Countach, Diablo, and the list goes on…
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