Founded in Sant’Agata Bolognese in 1963, Automobili Lamborghini introduced its first production car, the 350 GT, the following year. Its early history moves through the mid-engined Miura, the Countach prototype and the bull emblem created for the marque.
A marque established in Sant’Agata
Automobili Lamborghini was established in Sant'Agata Bolognese on 7 May 1963. That October, its 350 GTV prototype appeared at the Turin Motor Show, with body design by Franco Scaglione and an engine and chassis project by engineer Giotto Bizzarrini. The prototype anticipated the production car that followed in 1964.1
The 350 GT enters production
The 350 GT, presented at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show, was Lamborghini’s first production car. Paolo Stanzani developed its V12 from Giotto Bizzarrini’s 3.5-litre engine, while Milan’s Carrozzeria Touring reshaped the bodywork. The production car followed the 350 GTV prototype with both mechanical and visual changes.1
The Miura changes the layout
The Miura debuted at Geneva in 1966 with a V12 mounted transversely behind the cockpit and ahead of the rear wheels. Carrozzeria Bertone designed its body. It was Lamborghini’s first mid-engined production car, with P400, P400 S and SV versions following one another; the SV remained on sale through 1973.1,2
The essentials
- Founded
- 1963, Sant'Agata Bolognese
- Headquarters
- Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy
- Official site
- lamborghini.com
