www.QV500.com - Lamborghini 350 Part 1: 350 GTV

Lamborghini’s first production car, the 350 GT was based closely on the one-off GTV prototype (chassis 0001) displayed at October 1963's Turin Salon. Equipped with state-of-the-art fully independent suspension, disc brakes and a five-speed ZF gearbox, Lamborghini had also commissioned a 60° V12 from Giotto Bizzarrini. Featuring four overhead camshafts and dry-sump lubrication, this engine would power every 12-cylinder Lamborghini for the next thirty years. With a displacement of 3497cc, compression set at 9.5:1 and six downdraught Weber 36 IDL 1 carbs, it produced 360bhp at 8000rpm.

Legend has it though that Ferruccio Lamborghini was incensed by the almost pure-bred competition nature of Bizzarrini's engine that he never paid the Tuscan engineer for his outstanding creation. The GTV bodywork meanwhile was designed by Franco Scaglione and executed by his firm, Carrozzeria Sargiotto of Turin. With a successful blend of sharp creases and sweeping curves, the GTV was a radical departure from Ferrari's conservative models. A claimed 165mph top speed, retractable headlights, no less than six exhaust outlet pipes and a curious 2+1 cockpit layout further rocked the establishment, but a vehicle with a less racey nature was needed for public sale.