1964 Lamborghini 350 GT — The Car That Started a Rivalry
1964 Lamborghini 350 GT — The Car That Started a Rivalry
Every great rivalry has a beginning. For Ferrari and Lamborghini, it started with a clutch.
The story is well known: Ferruccio Lamborghini, a wealthy tractor manufacturer from Cento, Italy, owned several Ferraris. He was a talented mechanic and believed he could improve upon Enzo Ferrari’s cars. When he complained to Enzo about the clutch in his 250 GT, Enzo famously dismissed him: “Let me worry about the cars. You go back to driving your tractors.”
Ferruccio was furious. He decided then and there to build his own grand tourer — one that would be more refined, more reliable, and more luxurious than anything Ferrari had ever made.
The result was the Lamborghini 350 GT, unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1963 and entering production in 1964. It was the very first production car to wear the raging bull badge.
Engineering First
Rather than rushing to market, Ferruccio took a deliberately careful approach. He hired the brilliant engineer Giotto Bizzarrini (who had previously worked on the Ferrari 250 GTO) to design the engine, and Gian Paolo Dallara to develop the chassis. The body was styled by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, using their patented Superleggera (super-light) construction method.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V12 |
| Power | 280 hp at 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 239 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm |
| Top Speed | ~254 km/h (158 mph) |
| 0–100 km/h | ~6.8 seconds |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual (ZF) |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1,450 kg (3,197 lb) |
| Designer | Carrozzeria Touring |
The V12 engine was a masterpiece. It featured a 60-degree vee, double overhead camshafts, and six Weber carburettors. It produced a smooth, progressive power delivery rather than the peaky, race-bred character of Ferrari’s engines. This was deliberate — Lamborghini wanted a grand tourer that could be driven every day, not just on Sunday.
The 350 GT also featured independent suspension all around, four-wheel disc brakes (by Girling), and a ZF five-speed gearbox. It was a thoroughly modern, well-engineered machine.
The Elegance of Touring
Carrozzeria Touring gave the 350 GT a clean, elegant shape that has aged beautifully. The front end features a wide grille flanked by quad headlights, with a long bonnet and a gracefully sloping rear. The proportions are classic front-engine GT: a long bonnet, a low cabin, and a short rear deck.
The interior was a revelation. Ferruccio insisted on the finest materials — rich leather, polished wood, deep pile carpets, and a beautifully laid-out dashboard. The 350 GT came standard with electric windows, a heated rear window, and full instrumentation. It was a genuinely luxurious place to spend time.
Production began in March 1964, with bodies being built by Touring in Milan and then shipped to Lamborghini’s factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese for final assembly. Around 135 examples of the 350 GT were built before it was succeeded by the 400 GT in 1966.
Lamborghini and South Africa
South Africa has long had a passionate Lamborghini following. The first Lamborghinis arrived in South Africa in the late 1960s, imported through the official distributor.
The 350 GT is a rare sight in South Africa. Only a handful of examples made their way to the country, and those that did were owned by prominent figures in business and motorsport. The exclusivity of the early Lamborghinis made them a symbol of ultimate success.
Lamborghinis have featured in South African motorsport over the years, with the Miura, Countach, and Diablo all making appearances at local car shows and track days. The Lamborghini Owners Club of South Africa is an active community that organises meets, rallies, and track events.
Today, a well-preserved or restored 350 GT is worth anywhere from $400,000 to $700,000, making it both a collector’s dream and a serious investment.
Legacy
The 350 GT did exactly what Ferruccio set out to achieve: it proved that he could build a better grand tourer than Ferrari. Though it lacks the raw aggression of the Miura or the Countach, the 350 GT is the car that laid the foundation for the Lamborghini legend.
Without the 350 GT, there would be no Miura, no Countach, no Diablo, no Aventador. It is the car that started it all — a testament to what can happen when someone tells a determined man that he should stick to his tractors.
Sources:
- Wikipedia — Lamborghini 350 GT
- Lamborghini Official — 350 GT
- RM Sotheby’s — 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT
- Supercars.net — Lamborghini 350 GT
The Lamborghini 350 GT is the car that started one of the most famous rivalries in automotive history. It is refined, elegant, and devastatingly capable — everything Ferruccio Lamborghini set out to build. Would you take a 350 GT over a Ferrari 250 GT of the same era? Drop your thoughts below!