1966→1968 Lamborghini 350 GT
In two short years, Lamborghini tooled up and sold their first production car which debuted at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show. It closely followed the 350 GTV prototype of 1963 and was produced by Carrozeria Touring Superleggra.
After assembling a strong team to built the GTV prototype, Ferruccio Lamborghini launched the production version just five months later. These changes came from a wealth of talent including Giotto Bizzarrini, Gian Paolo Dallara and Franco Scaglione who worked styling both the production and prototype versions of the 350.
Like the concept 350 GTV, the production version had four-wheel independent suspension, a quad-cam V12 with a Scaglione-designed, aluminum body.
Refinements were made to the chassis at Neri & Bonacini with test driver Bob Wallace. Neri & Bonacini went on to manufacture frames for the earlier cars until the work was contracted out Marchesi.
For production, the body underwent a number of revisions. Fixed Cibie headlights replaced the pop-up counterparts and manufacture of the bodies was entrusted to Touring of Milan. They used their patented Supperleggra method of construction which fixed aluminum-alloy panels directly to a tubular structure.
The engine in the 350 was the intended Bizzarrini-designed V12. It was a very capable power plant that could reach 350 in top from. Unlike the GTV prototype, which experienced clearance problems, the 350 featured side-mounted carburetors to reduce the height of the engine.
Overall, the Lamborghini 350 was a success. Solid orders for the car ensured the companies’ survival and paved the way for future models. From Ferrari’s perspective, a new competitor had risen. One that used a wealth of talent within two years to produce a product that mirrored Ferrari performance.
After producing 143 350 GTs, Lamborghini replaced it with the larger-engined 400 GT in 1966.
Story by Richard Owen
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1966 – 1968 |
| released at | 1964 Geneva Motor Show |
| built at | Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy |
| coachbuilder | Touring Superleggra |
| production | 120 |
| price $ | $ 13,900 |
| engine | 60° V12 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | Aluminum Alloy |
| valvetrain | DOHC 2 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | 6 Twin-Throat 40 DCOE Weber Carburetors |
| displacement | 3464 cc / 211.39 in³ |
| bore | 77 mm / 3.03 in |
| stroke | 62 mm / 2.44 in |
| compression | 9.5:1 |
| power | 201.3 kw / 270 bhp @ 6500 rpm |
| specific output | 77.94 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 186.08 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 324.0 nm / 239 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm |
| body / frame | Aluminum Body over Steel Rectangular Frame |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Borrani Wire |
| front tires | 210-15 VR Pirelli Cinturato |
| rear tires | 210-15 VR Pirelli Cinturato |
| front brakes | Girling Discs w/Vacuum Assist |
| rear brakes | Girling Discs w/Vacuum Assist |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 16.5 cm / 15.0 x 6.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 16.5 cm / 15.0 x 6.5 in |
| steering | Worm & Roller |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1451 kg / 3199 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2550 mm / 100.4 in |
| front track | 1384 mm / 54.5 in |
| rear track | 1384 mm / 54.5 in |
| length | 4500 mm / 177.2 in |
| width | 1730 mm / 68.0 in |
| height | 1220 mm / 48.0 in |
| transmission | ZF 5-Speed Manual |
| tran clutch | Single Dry Plate |
| gear ratios | 2.520:1, 1.740:1, 1.230:1, 1.000:1, 0.815:1 |
| final drive | 4.08:1 |
| top speed | ~249.40 kph / 155 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~7.4 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~17.8 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~15.5 seconds |
| fuel econ epa | 18 L/100 km or 13 mpg-us |
Auction Sales History
1965 Lamborghini 350 GT 0220 – sold for $935,000 One of 131 examples built. Matching-numbers engine; upgraded by the factory to 400 GT specifications. Thorough two-year restoration by marque specialist Gary Bobileff, which was completed in 2015. Fascinating period documentation, including factory build sheets. Foundation of the Lamborghini supercar tradition. Auction Source: RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2015
1967 Lamborghini 350GT 0547 – sold for $616,000 A Fine Example of Lamborghini’s First Production Car. One of Only 143 350GTs Produced from 1964–1967. Concours-Level Restoration. State-of-the-Art Technology in a Stunning Package. Auction Source: 2014 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
1967 Lamborghini 400 GT Spyder Conversion 01267 – sold for €299,600 A beautifully executed convertible 400 GT. Finished to factory standards. Shown at Concorso Italiano. Auction Source: 2014 Monaco by RM Auctions
1965 Lamborghini 350 GT 0196 – sold for $742,500 – Elegant original colors. The genesis of a legend: the first production Lamborghini. In the early 1990s, it was acquired by Peter Cohen and underwent a complete restoration to its original condition. Since completion, it has been lovingly maintained as part of his private collection by Ultimate Motors, of Orlando, Florida. It is one of very few Lamborghinis ever invited to and displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and it has gone one step further by winning Best in Class at the prestigious event. Auction Source: 2013 Monterey Auction by RM Auctions
1966 Lamborghini 350 GT 0436 – sold for $332,500 Matching numbers with desirable five-speed gearbox. Expert care by Ned Gallaher since 1978; full mechanical restoration in 2008. Impressive original interior; body refinished in correct Pino Verde Metallico. Featured in numerous publications on Lamborghinis. Amelia Island special award winner; known history from new. Auction Source: 2013 Arizona Auction by RM
1966 Lamborghini 350 GT 0358 – sold for €230,600 – Supported by a large history file with many invoices, including those from the Lamborghini factory dating back to 1978, as well as excellent documentation of the history and work carried out, this is a great opportunity to purchase one of the true driver’s cars of the desirable Lamborghini marque. This first Lamborghini production car delivered on all its promises with solid construction, competitive handling, formidable performance and, of course, its distinctive and sexy Italian styling. As one of only 120 built before the 350 GT was replaced by the 400 GT 2+2, this car not only presents extremely well, it is also exceptionally rare. Auction Source: 2011 London Auction by RM
1966 Lamborghini 350GT Chassis no. 0358 – sold for $165,400 – 0358 is known to have been supplied originally to Portugal. As it stands today, the car is offered with a large file of invoices and history which chart its life back to 1980, when it was acquired by arch Lamborghini collector and founder of the Lamborghini Club of Canada, Ken Browning. At this point it had a broken timing chain and needed attention generally. Browning was responsible for rebuilding the motor, as well as its brakes and suspension corresponding with Ubaldo Sgarzi of the works service department to source many of the parts directly from the factory. This rebuild was accomplished over the course of 4 years. During Ken Browning’s tenure the car was used as the subject of the model for a 5 page feature in the Lamborghini Buyer’s Guide. On his death in the early 1990s the car subsequently passed through two further Canadian owners before being sold at auction in 2000 to an attorney in Lynchburg, VA.
On inspection today, the car can best be described as cosmetically very original or perhaps a much older restoration, such that the paint shows age with some flattening of the color and wear to edges of the hood, doors and trunk lid, but not excessively. The interior presents tidily in black leather and the ‘cockpit’ like dash array is complemented with the nice period detail of a Super Autavia Heuer clock, which has recently been refurbished technically and is in good working order.
A good balance of the originality/patina and fully sorted mechanicals, coupled to an interesting history and the fact that these early Lamborghinis have been increasingly coveted in recent times, makes this an appealing example of the model.
Auction Source: Bonhams 2010 Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia
