Classic Cars
From Italy
AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI S.p.A.
It's one of those words that make you
wish you had a few spare million $. I said "a few" because while the latest models will
cost a million, some of the early classics could cost you more.
As I said earlier - if you have to ask, you can't afford it.
A very recent entry to the market of exclusive, fast and furious automobile market,
Ferruccio Lamborghini
is reputed as being so annoyed by Enzo Ferrari's reaction to his helpful comment about the Ferrari's
clutch system, that he created his own brand of automobiles in 1963, to show Enzo how cars SHOULD be made.
You can be the judge of that but for me, ignoring racing successes, he
succeeded.
The 1973 world oil crisis effected every manufacturer of high performance cars
around the world and Lamborghini fell into bankruptcy in 1978, bought from the
receivers by Patrick Mimran in 1984, later bought by Chrysler in 1987, by a
joint venture between Malaysian company Mycom Bhd and "Tommy" Suharto called
Megatech in 1994, and in 1997, eventually ended up with the present owners, Audi
AG, itself a subsidiary of the huge Volkswagen conglomerate.
Despite all these changes in ownership, Lamborghini's production numbers have
increased more than three-fold.
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Join my Forum and have your say.
References
The
downward sloping "sad eyes" of the magnificent 350 GT are contrary to its
commercial
success. Approximately 140 were sold during its production between 1963 and 1968, and for today's
equivalent of over US$110,000.
The 350GT operated with a 5 speed manual transmission and had a reported top speed of over 240kph
(150mph).
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The 400GT 2+2 was produced between 1966 and 1968 overlapping the smaller version by 2 years
but selling over 240 units in that short period.
While the 350GT was only a 2 seater, the
increased wheel base of the 400 GT provided sufficient room to allow 2 rear passengers.
Also now equipped with dual headlights, the front end was more aesthetically pleasing.
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And
then there is the Miura. One of the best known Lamborghinis, it was one of the very few road cars
produced with a mid-engine layout. 764 units were produced between 1966 and 1972 with a 4 litre, V12
engine. Despite several one-off productions, the Miura undertook very few changes during its
successful life time.
It employed the same 3,929cc V12 engine of the 400GT and also only came as a 4 seater
and manual
transmission.
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My favourite Lamborghini is the Espada and I'm not fussy which model you give
me.
Produced between 1968 and 1978, 1217 units were produced making it the biggest seller to date.
The vehicle went through very few changes to its outward appearance but major alterations and
improvements to its interior decor.
It used the same 3,929cc V12 engine with 5 speed manual although a few automatic versions were sold.
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The incredible design of the Countach is legendary. and 2,042 were sold between 1974 and 1989.
"Sports Car International" placed it in the top 10 sports cars of both the 70s and the 80s.
The Countach came with the 3,929cc V12 but also included 2 lager engines up to a 5,167cc V12.
It has to be said that a driver's rear vision was extremely poor. For rear parking it was impossible
and the sharply sloping front end made front parking almost as difficult.
Despite these negatives, the Countach proved to be the most commercially successful model to date.
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Several other Lamborghini models could well be considered for this page. However, limited
production numbers suggest that they were not as successful as those listed.
Nominate your preference; Take a poll.
See my Blog.
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Wikipedia