Vehicle Description
Italian industrialist Ferruccio Lamborghini was a driven man. The
son of farmers, he had a natural understanding of machinery from a
young age. Ferruccio spent his early career running a garage,
experimenting with building and modifying cars and tractors. In
1948, he founded Trattori Lamborghini which quickly grew into one
of Italy's leading farm equipment manufacturers. In the 1950s, he
supplemented his agricultural operation with the manufacture of
heating and refrigeration units. With his tremendous success came a
taste for fine automobiles, and Ferruccio was known to have a
Mercedes-Benz 300SL, Maserati 3500 GT, and numerous coachbuilt Alfa
Romeos and Lancias. He also owned several Ferraris, including a 250
GT SWB. While Lamborghini enjoyed the performance of his Ferrari
cars, he took issue with the quality of both the vehicle and of the
treatment he received at the service department. Legend has it that
when he brought his complaints to Il Commendatore, he was brushed
aside and told to stick to making tractors. What exactly
transpired, we will never know, but whatever occurred between Enzo
Ferrari and Ferruccio Lamborghini was enough to inspire the latter
to create a GT car to rival the best Maranello had to offer. The
first production model to emerge from the newly-formed Automobili
Lamborghini was the gorgeous 350 GT. With an all-new four-cam,
3.5-liter V12 as the focal point, Lamborghini set out to create the
most exceptional high-speed grand touring car in Italy. Once
journalists of the day got their hands on the car, there was almost
universal praise for Ferruccio's twelve-cylinder tour de force. The
stunning styling came from the legendary design house Carrozzeria
Touring of Milan. The classic long hood, short deck proportions
featured elegant sweeping lines and distinct oval headlamps set
into pods in the nose. Sitting low and long, the 350 GT was one of
Touring's most distinctive designs, the shape enduring through the
long-wheelbase 400 GT 2+2 and even forming the inspiration for the
replacement Islero. Completed on the 2nd of May, 1966, chassis
number 0400 is a late production 350 GT, presented here in
remarkable, unrestored condition. This car is believed to be among
the last run of 350 GTs produced, as work had begun on the car's
replacement, the 400 GT 2+2. In fact, documents show the very next
chassis (0403) served as the prototype for the softer-edge 400 GT
2+2 model. According to factory production records, chassis 0400
left the works finished in Azzurro Fiat, destined for the United
States via Jake Kaplan's east coast Lamborghini distributorship.
The early history is not known; however, the car found its way to
the West Coast sometime in the late 1970s, evidenced by the 1980
Long Beach Grand Prix sticker still on the windscreen. By the
1990s, 0400 was in the hands of noted Ferrari and Lancia expert
Tony Nicosia. He remembered the car as highly original, unrestored,
and good driving during his time with it. Nicosia serviced the 350
GT before selling it to the most recent owner over 20 years ago.
Since then, it remained quietly part of a significant private
collection of unique and important sports cars. Finished as
original in Azzurro Fiat with a black interior, chassis 0400
remains in incredible, unrestored condition, subject to a recent
mechanical recommissioning to return it to running, driving order.
The Carrozzeria Touring coachwork is remarkably good, with straight
panels and consistent shut lines. These cars were well-built for
their time, and this example retains the solid feel throughout the
body. Some corrosion is noted on the underside, however, the car is
quite sound considering it has survived so long without a full
restoration. The paint and brightwork show considerable patina and
some spot repairs, yet with undeniable charm and attractiveness in
the honest, careworn presentation. The body sports correct 350 GT
details such as the single windscreen wiper and correct oval-lens
headlamps, while original Borrani wire wheels have a moderate
patina, yet are in good condition with Pirelli P5 rubber. Compared
to other GT cars of the era, the 350 GT is remarkably comfortable,
even for taller drivers. The panoramic windscreen, large backlight,
and delicate pillars make for excellent visibility and the steering
wheel, pedals, and gear lever all fall easily in line. At some
point in the 70s or 80s, the seats were reupholstered in black with
blue corduroy fabric inserts. While not entirely correct, they suit
the careworn original interior very well and add a welcome touch of
character to the black cabin. Aside from the seats, the door
panels, dash, headlining, and rear luggage area remain in original,
unmolested condition. Instruments are clean and in excellent order,
and the switchgear is primarily original, with only the AM/FM
cassette deck revealing its history as a regular driver in the
1980s. At some point in this car's history, the original 3.5-liter
V12 engine was replaced with a comparable 4.0-liter unit,
transforming this car into a de facto "Interim" model of sorts.
With 320 horsepower on tap, the four-liter quad-cam V12 imparts the
lighter 350 GT shell with superlative performance. With the
previous owner, the car saw an extended period of storage,
requiring recommissioning to return it to running, driving order.
Recent work includes a full fuel system overhaul with rebuilt Weber
carburetors, new brake boosters and plumbing, cleaned and inspected
brake calipers, and new clutch hydraulic cylinders. The water pump
and all fluids, including the engine, gearbox and rear axle are
new. The car now runs quite well, with excellent brakes and
gearbox. There may be some additional sorting required to return it
to regular road use, however, as it sits, this is an excellent
foundation for an event car and regular driver. As a late
production 350 GT updated with 4-liter power, chassis number 0400
is a highly desirable example of Lamborghini's opening salvo
against its chief rival Ferrari. This car's character and charm
make it well-suited for the enthusiast seeking a car to dial in for
enjoyment on rally events and on the open road. The remarkable,
unrestored condition also lends itself to a more extensive
restoration if one so desires. The Lamborghini 350 GT is one of the
greatest grand touring cars of the era, delivering equal parts
comfort, practicality and performance in a distinctive and
beautifully styled package.
