Geneva, 1964. The world met the Lamborghini 350 GT, a car that would redefine the supercar landscape. It wasn’t just a debut; it was a declaration. Ferruccio Lamborghini, a tractor magnate with a passion for performance, had arrived, and he wasn’t playing around. The 350 GT, resplendent in its metallic Geneva Green (chassis #101), was a testament to Italian engineering prowess and a bold challenge to the established order.
The 350 GT was extraordinary from the outset. Giampaolo Dallara, a young engineering prodigy (now a legend in his own right), crafted the chassis, while Giotto Bizzarrini, destined for motorsport fame, designed the screaming 3.5-liter V12. This wasn’t some repurposed truck engine; it was a thoroughbred, originally conceived for competition, and refined for the road by Paolo Stanzani. The aluminum bodywork, sculpted by Carrozzeria Touring, exuded elegance and athleticism in equal measure.
The Geneva show was a sensation. Ferruccio Lamborghini himself, ever the showman, proudly presented his creation to the assembled journalists and potential customers. The 350 GT’s specifications were groundbreaking: 320 CV, four overhead camshafts, independent suspension, and disc brakes at all four corners – a showcase of cutting-edge technology. The interior, swathed in leather and chrome, offered a luxurious 2+1 seating configuration. This wasn’t just about speed; it was about the experience.
The V12 engine, a masterpiece of engineering, immediately captivated audiences. Its design, with minor tweaks and displacements, would become the heart and soul of Lamborghini for decades to come, powering icons like the 400 GT, Islero, Jarama, Espada, LM002, Miura, Countach, and Diablo. From front longitudinal to rear transverse, this engine proved its versatility and cemented its place in automotive history.
The first production 350 GT found its way into the hands of Giampiero Giusti, the drummer for the popular jazz ensemble “Quartetto di Lucca,” marking the beginning of Lamborghini’s enduring relationship with the entertainment world. The car even starred in the 1967 film “Kill Me Quick, I’m Cold,” driven by Monica Vitti and Jean Sorel.
Tragically, the original Geneva show car (chassis #101) was destroyed in a traffic accident. However, its immediate successor (chassis #102), a metallic gray beauty with a red interior, survives to this day. Delivered to Geneva in August 1964, it’s the oldest surviving Lamborghini production car, a testament to the company’s enduring legacy. Lamborghini Polo Storico meticulously restored this piece of automotive history, and this year, it made a triumphant return to Geneva, the city where its story began, 60 years ago. The 350 GT isn’t just a classic; it’s the cornerstone of a legend, a reminder of the vision and passion that launched one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands.