The Lamborghini 350 GT returns 60 years later to the city that served as its showcase to the world

Talking about Lamborghini means talking about a brand with a long history, although that history may not have begun as long ago as you might think, of course always referring to Automobili Lamborghini, since previously the company was devoted to the manufacture of agricultural machinery, with tractors as its main market niche. So much so that in 1960 Lamborghini was one of the largest Italian manufacturers in this sector.

Obviously, this brought a considerable amount of income to Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder, which allowed him, in addition to living a carefree life, to also enjoy one of his greatest passions: the motor car. Among his jewels were cars from all the luxury and sports brands of the time, several Ferrari among them, which turned out to be precisely the most problematic in terms of breakdowns, so that Ferruccio grew fed up and contacted Enzo Ferrari himself to explain how to solve the endemic problems of his models.

Enzo, proud of his vehicles like no other person, replied to him disdainfully, causing Ferruccio Lamborghini to found Automobili Lamborghini in 1963 to challenge the all-powerful Ferrari. The seed of this new sports car company did not take long to flourish, and only a few months later the brand presented the 350 GTV, a prototype designed by Franco Scaglione and built at Carrozzeria Sargiotto in Turin, from which the Lamborghini 350 GT was later born, which was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1964 and which was obviously the first production Lamborghini.

Now, sixty years after its debut, the Lamborghini 350 GT with the second chassis number and the distinction of being the oldest surviving production model from Sant’Agata Bolognese returns to Geneva, seemingly to celebrate its history and the origins of Lamborghini. Although being the first is not all that makes the 350 GT special, it was very fast and beautiful and featured a truly admirable engineering design. Its aluminium bodywork was designed and produced by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, considered at the time the best, while its chassis was designed by the then young Giampaolo Dallara, now considered the best chassis manufacturer in the world.

Under its bonnet was a 3.5-litre V12 engine with four camshafts, designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and conceived for competition, although it was adapted for road use thanks to engineer Paolo Stanzani to deliver a not inconsiderable output for the time of 320 CV at 7000 rpm, which was sent to the rear axle through a five-speed ZF gearbox. This V12 was enlarged to 4,000 cc only a few months later for use in the 400 GT, becoming a symbol of Lamborghini over the following 40 years, used in various configurations: front longitudinal in the 400 GT, Islero, Jarama, Espada and LM 002; rear transverse in the Miura; and rear longitudinal in the Countach and Diablo.

The engine was not the only technology it incorporated that delighted enthusiasts at the time; also worth highlighting is the independent suspension on all four wheels with coil springs and telescopic dampers, along with four disc brakes as expected and a weight of 1,100 kilograms. All of this was complemented by an interior with a 2+1 configuration (two front seats and one central rear seat), in which leather and chrome were considered the pinnacle at that time.

Now this legendary model returns to Geneva, but to conclude with a historical anecdote: the 350 GT with chassis no. 101, in metallic Geneva green with white interior, which was the first one built and was exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show, was later used as a development and endurance test vehicle and was destroyed in a rear-end collision while stopped at a traffic light. Thus, the 350 GT being taken to Geneva now is the second chassis number, in metallic grey with red interior, dispatched from Sant’Agata Bolognese on 15 August 1964 to be delivered brand new in Geneva. Restored and certified by Lamborghini Polo Storico, it now returns to the streets of the city that saw it run for the first time.