Lamborghini 350GT

The Lamborghini 350GT was the first production model produced by Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. in 1963. It was based on the Lamborghini 350GTV prototype, which showcased at the 1963 Turin Auto Show. The success of the 350GT ensured the company's survival, and established it as a viable competitor with sport car automaker Ferrari S.p.A.. Ferruccio Lamborghini contracted the same design and production team who worked on the 350GTV prototype to build the production version of the grand tourer, including Giotto Bizzarrini, Gian Paolo Dallara, and Franco Scaglione. The 350GT shared a number of features with the 350GTV prototype, including a four-wheel independent suspension, quad-cam V12, and an aluminum body. A number of revisions and refinements were made due to the suggestions of the Neri & Bonacini racing development shop and test driver Bob Wallace. Fixed headlights replaced the prototype's pop-up variety, and side-mounted carburetors reduced the height of the engine, thereby negating the clearance problems of the GTV prototype. The engine in the 350 was the Bizzarrini-designed V12. It was a very capable power plant that could reach well into triple-digit speeds in top form.