THE LAMBORGHINI 350 GT WAS UNVEILED IN GENEVA BY FERRUCCIO LAMBORGHINI IN 1964 - 60 YEARS LATER IT'S RETURNED.
In the expansive saga of automotive history, March 1964 marked a pivotal moment - the birth of the Italian icon and legendary automaker - Automobili Lamborghini. Back in the early '60s, Lamborghini was fresh on the automotive scene and 1964 was the year the company unveiled its groundbreaking prototype, the 350 GTV, just a few months before its physical release. The iconic car was crafted by the visionary designer Franco Scaglione and built at Carrozzeria Sargiotto in Turin, this prototype laid the groundwork for what was to come. Fast forward 60 years - almost to the day - and Lamborghini is back on the streets of Geneva with its true original icon, the 350 GT. This exact car used for the celebratory photoshoot sports the second chassis number and holds the title of the oldest existing production Lamborghini. You can just imagine its value. The special trip and shoot is a celebration of the brand's roots, paying homage to the car that started it all and the DNA that defines Sant’Agata Bolognese's legacy. At the heart of the 350 GT beats the soul of a champion. Engineer Giampaolo Dallara of Dallara Motorsports crafted a chassis that was ahead of its time, setting the stage for Lamborghini's future dominance. And under the hood, engineer Giotto Bizzarrini's V12 masterpiece roared to life, delivering a jaw-dropping 235 kW of pure power. But it wasn't just about performance though, the 350 GT was a veritable work of art. Carrozzeria Touring in Milan lent its expertise to the aluminium bodywork, creating a design that turned heads wherever it went. Inside, luxury reigned supreme, with leather-clad interiors and chrome accents adding a touch of elegance to every journey.
From the moment it debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, the 350 GT captured the hearts of enthusiasts and media alike. Ferruccio Lamborghini himself proudly showcased the car, cementing its status as a true masterpiece of automotive engineering. But the 350 GT wasn't just a showpiece, it was a star on the silver screen too, appearing in the 1967 film "Kill Me Quick, I'm Cold" alongside screen legends Monica Vitti and Jean Sorel. While the first 350 GT with chassis number #101 met a tragic end, destroyed in a rear-end collision, its legacy lives on in the surviving second chassis number which is the metallic grey beauty with a fiery red interior that you see here. The car was restored to perfection by Lamborghini Polo Storico, the division of Lamborghini dedicated to the preservation and restoration of heritage cars, and now a full six decades later, the historic car returned to the streets of Geneva, where Lamborghini’s story properly began. Just 135 examples of the 350 GT were produced, and it’s thought that around 80 of these featured aluminium bodywork and overall there are roughly 120 cars left. It’s not uncommon for these cars to sell for over half a million dollars, the most expensive ever sold was in 2021 at a value of $758,500, or around R14,400,000. The car was impressive for its time featuring a 3.5-litre V12 fitted with six Weber 40 DCOE twin carburettors and it was rated at a very healthy 235 kW. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual ZF+R transmission. It tipped the scales at 1,450 kilograms, which meant it had a great power-to-weight ratio so it could hit the 100 km/h benchmark speed in just 6.8 seconds, and had a top speed of 254 km/h. Cracking over 250 km/h a good 60 years ago is impressive AF.
Take a look at the YouTube video from the time when the insightful crew at CuratedTV carried out an in-depth review of the first series production Lamborghini, the beauty that is the 350 GT. Originally unveiled at the 1964 Geneva Motorshow, one of these rare models returns to where the story began: Stunning 1965 Lamborghini 350GT | CuratedTV
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