<< Prev Page 2 of 2 Production really got underway later that year and two shortened chassis were sent directly to Zagato for a new body. Specializing in lightweight racing bodies, the Milanese coachbuilder was hired to produce an alternative for the Touring design; the company was struggling to survive and Lamborghini feared that a demise would leave them without a body. Zagato's Ercole Spada designed a conventional, but very elegant coupe with clear hints to his previous designs fitted on Alfa Romeo and Lancia racing cars. The restyled and lightened car debuted at the 1965 London Motorshow as the Lamborghini 3500 GTZ. Sadly, the cooperation between the two Italian companies stopped after just two cars were built.
In 1965 Lamborghini also debuted a ground breaking mid-engined supercar with an attractive bodywork designed Bertone. Dubbed the Miura, it featured a four litre version of the V12 engine. In 1966 this engine also became available as an option in the front-engined car and with this engine fitted, it was understandably redubbed to 400 GT. It proved to be an interim model and after only a handful were constructed, it was replaced by the 400 GT 2+2. It was immediately recognizable by the revised, double-oval headlights and, as the name suggests, could be ordered with two optional rear seats. There were many more differences and the body was executed in steel instead of the aluminium previously used.
While Lamborghini is best known today for their exuberant supercars, it's the front-engined Grand Tourers that got the company started. With his all-star team of designers and engineers, Ferruccio Lamborghini ensured that his car was a real alternative to the Maseratis and Ferraris of the day. Lamborghini's legendary test and development driver, Bob Wallace referred to the 350 GT as the very best car ever to roll off the Bologna production line; not bad for a first attempt. With production figures of 120 and 224 respectively, the 350 GT and 400 GT 2+2 are as rare as any of the Ferraris of the day and even though they are technically superior, they are available at a fraction of the price of a similar Ferrari. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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3500 GTZ
Production really got underway later that year and two shortened chassis were sent directly to Zagato for a new body. Specializing in lightweight racing bodies, the Milanese coachbuilder was hired to produce an alternative for the Touring design; the company was struggling to survive and Lamborghini feared that a demise would leave them without a body. Zagato's Ercole Spada designed a conventional, but very elegant coupe with clear hints to his previous designs fitted on Alfa Romeo and Lancia racing cars. The restyled and lightened car debuted at the 1965 London Motorshow as the Lamborghini 3500 GTZ. Sadly, the cooperation between the two Italian companies stopped after just two cars were built.