Vehicle Description
When Ferruccio Lamborghini decided to try his hand at building a
Gran Turismo, his company had essentially zero experience in
automobile production. Earlier in his life, Ferruccio had
constructed a couple of Fiat-based specials, so his desire to build
a sports car was not new, but his career focus was primarily on
tractors, and he built a considerable fortune as his business
expanded. Lamborghini's business prowess translated into rapid
financial success through the 1950s, and Ferruccio developed a
refined taste for fast cars. He owned numerous Maseratis, Jaguars,
a Mercedes 300SL, and several Ferraris. His alleged dissatisfaction
with Ferrari's quality and aloof customer service spurred him to
produce a Gran Turismo under his own name, aiming to build a
sporting car that was more luxurious and refined than any of
Ferrari's offerings. By the early 1960s, the Bolognese firm was
well-respected for its robust farm tractors and agricultural
equipment, so Ferruccio's bold desire to best Ferrari was sure to
have raised a few eyebrows. What he may have lacked in car building
experience was more than made up for in his company's manufacturing
capacity, his eye for engineering talent, and pure Italian moxie.
Ferruccio Lamborghini made good on his promise, debuting the
radically shaped 350 GTV at the 1963 Turin Motor Show. The GTV
received mixed reviews from the motoring press, so Lamborghini
returned the following year with the heavily-revised 350 GT.
Boasting a tubular chassis, fully-independent suspension, and a
glorious 3.5-liter V12 engine designed by the brilliant Giotto
Bizzarrini (the father of the 250 GTO), this iteration was much
better received. The initial styling was done by Franco Scaglione,
which was toned down and refined by Carrozzeria Touring for the
production model. Engineering and development were handled by a
team of gifted young engineers, including Gian Paolo Dallara, Paolo
Stanzani, and test engineer Bob Wallace. After approximately 120
examples, Lamborghini introduced the 4-liter 400 GT 2+2, adding
more power and practicality with 2+2 seating. Bridging the
transition between these models was the rare 400 GT Interim, which
retained the two-seat body of the original 350 GT but benefited
from the mechanical advancements of the 400 GT 2+2. Production was
extremely limited, with only 23 examples built, making the 400 GT
Interim one of the rarest early Lamborghinis. This example, chassis
0463, was completed on May 16, 1966, finished in red over black
leather upholstery, and equipped with engine no. 0439, which it
retains today. Delivered new to Bob Estes, Lamborghini's West Coast
distributor in Inglewood, California, the car played an important
role in the brand's early presence in the United States. Estes, a
successful Ford Lincoln-Mercury dealer and early advocate for
Lamborghini, was instrumental in refining the cars to better suit
American buyers. He retained 0463 for two years, using it as a
demonstrator and featuring it in promotional materials before
selling it to a California-based buyer on June 26, 1968. By 1976,
the Lamborghini was owned by John A. Baum of Tustin, California,
who entrusted its maintenance to renowned specialist Gary Bobileff.
In 1983, Bobileff acquired the car from the Baum estate and
subsequently sold it to Richard W. Killion of Carlsbad, California,
who retained it for nearly four decades. During this time, 0463
continued to be maintained and restored by Bobileff, with
documentation covering decades of work, including an engine rebuild
in 1997. In early 2020, Mr. Killion sold the car to the most recent
owner, adding it to a collection of some of the world's most
significant Italian sports cars. Under current ownership, a team of
in-house specialists has regularly serviced the Lamborghini. Now
finished in the classic combination of red over beige leather
upholstery, 0463's body is in superb condition, with crisply
defined lines, straight panels, and restored brightwork. It rides
on proper Borrani wire wheels with period-correct Michelin XWX
tires, ensuring an authentic aesthetic and handling
characteristics. The businesslike cabin features beige leather on
the seats and door cards, accented by a black dash and carpets. The
soft trim is excellent throughout, and details like controls,
switches, and instruments are in fine order. The four-liter DOHC
V-12 engine, topped by two rows of Weber twin-choke sidedraft
carburetors, remains a defining feature of Lamborghini's early
grand tourers. Accompanied by an extensive history file-including
maintenance records, restoration invoices, and period
photographs-chassis 0463 represents a rare opportunity to acquire
one of the earliest and most exclusive Lamborghini road cars. With
its striking design, matching-numbers engine, and well-documented
provenance, this 400 GT Interim is a highly desirable piece of
Lamborghini history, suitable for concours display and
long-distance touring alike. Offers welcome and trades considered
For additional details please view this listing directly on our
website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7852-1966-lamborghini-400-gt-interim/
