The Lamborghini 350 GT is one of the models that helped shape the brand’s DNA right from the brand’s early days. For Lamborghini, 2022 is the year of the V12, the legendary 12-cylinder engine that the company has consistently used in iconic models for nearly 60 years of brand history.
Decades ago, the first Lamborghini model to leave the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory in 1964 was the 350 GT. This car was recently brought to the historic center of Bologna in an event paying tribute to the legendary V12 engine. This model had the opportunity to go hand in hand with the newest V12 model in the brand’s history, the Aventador Ultimae in a new set of photos.
To design this famous engine block, Ferruccio Lamborghini recruited an independent consultant, engineer Giotto Bizzarrini. He was born in Quercianella (Livorno province) in 1926 and to this day, he is still considered one of the best engine designers ever. Bizzarrini is a big fan of racing and he once dreamed of building an engine for Formula 1 racing.
He and Ferruccio had signed a contract to develop a 12-cylinder, V-shaped engine with a capacity of 3.5 liters with the goal of achieving a capacity of at least 350 horsepower. To encourage Bizzarrini, Lamborghini added a bonus clause to the contract for every 10 horsepower he was able to add to the engine block. When the engine was first tested in July 1963, the results were spectacular with 360 horsepower at 9000 rpm. In fact, Bizzarrini designed an additional Formula One engine that was not suitable for street use.
Then, Paolo Stanzani, one of the most highly regarded engineers in Lamborghini history, was entrusted with the job of “civilizing” this engine. The commercial vehicle was formed with a V12 engine with a maximum capacity of 280 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, helping the 350 GT model capable of reaching a maximum speed of over 250 km/h. The first 350 GT was delivered to Livorno-born drummer Giampiero Giusti, who at that time was at the peak of his success with the band “I 5 di Lucca”, which later became “Quartetto di Lucca”, considered one of the most famous jazz bands in Italy.
This helped mark the beginning of a close relationship between Lamborghini and the entertainment world, in which many actors and artists became loyal customers of the Italian car brand. Another one is the “oldest” Lamborghini and has been carefully restored and appraised by Polo Storico. This car won the Best in Show award at the Lamborghini & Design competition held in Trieste and organized by Lamborghini Polo Storico.
Paul McCartney, a living legend as both bass player and vocalist for the Beatles and a solo artist, has been a loyal customer of Lamborghini for many years. However, his red 1968 Lamborghini 400 GT, chassis number 1141, is the car that appears in a video shot on January 30, 1969 during the famous band’s final performance on the roof of their building. at 3 Savile Row in London. Artist McCartney himself has accompanied this Lamborghini 400 GT for ten years.
The legendary 350 GT also appeared in Columbia Pictures’ 1967 film Kill Me Quick, I’m Cold, directed by director Francesco Maselli. In this movie, the legendary car was used as a means of transportation for famous couple Monica Vitti and Jean Sorel. Since its debut in 1964, the Lamborghini V12 has become the benchmark in terms of torque, elasticity, reliability and durability. This engine structure was still used until the 1990s, growing to a capacity of 7 liters with a capacity of over 500 horsepower before being further modified for use in advanced supercar models. progress of the brand.