There is a well known story that during a meeting with Enzo Ferrari, Ferruccio Lamborghini, a tractor manufacturer, complained about the various faults of his recently purchases Ferrari. Mister Ferrari briefly said that he had to be involved in tractor building and leave the manufacturing of sports cars up to him. And he was certainly not waiting for his comments Basta…!

The equally stubborn Ferruccio Lamborghini decided to start his own car factory to compete with Ferrari. The first prototype, the 350 GTV, was presented in Turin in 1963. Lamborghini’s derivative and first production model is the 350 GT, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show a year later.

The sleek, elegant and sporty body was designed by Franco Scaglione. The body was manufactured by the famous company Touring from Milan using the “Superleggera” method (very light): consisting of aluminum panels, mounted directly on a steel tube chassis. Thanks to its 3.5 liter twelve-cylinder with four overhead camshafts and six double carburettors, developed by former Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, the car was able to reach a top speed of 240 km / h. He hoped that the engine would one day be used in a Formula 1 car, and therefore had an output of more than 400 bhp, but at very high revs. Too high, to drive it quietly on public roads, which is partly why the project was taken over by Giampaolo Dallara, who was commissioned to downsize the engine and make it suitable for use on public roads. This engine still got a respectable 284 bhp. 120 copies of the Lamborghini 350 GT were built from 1964 to 1967.

The 350 GT offered by us is chassis number 0487, produced in 1966 and registered a year later by the first owner on February 28, 1967 in the Italian town Bozen. He owned the car until November 1971 (copy of the Italian registration is present) when through the Austrian car dealer and specialist for Italian sports cars, Ing. Horst Pichler, the second owner was registered. This man, from Wels, Austria, took care of it for no less than 47 years, until 2013. The last official Austrian inspection sticker, issued in 1974 (still on the car), is the proof that the technical control should have taken place in March 1975. However, the car was previously stored and has never been used again. Incidentally, the original Austrian registration papers are still present, so is a copy of the former Italian regisitration.

During an eviction of a property in 2013, the car was parked in a shed – along with other vehicles – and in 2014 the car was sold through Hödlmeyer Classic Car Center to an Austrian connoisseur who delivered the Lamborghini to the specialists Barcelli & Villa, Salvioli, William Gatti and Stefano Maieli in Italy to restore it. That was finished in 2016.

The car was actually beautiful then, but not good enough for the next and Dutch owner. Several things he did not like was brought to the highest possible standard by the professionals of Classic Skills www.classicskills.nl Their policy is “perfection and authenticity without compromise” and that is exactly what they have applied. With the assessment “a beautifully restored 350 GT” we would not tell the right decribtion. This has become a meticulous restoration, resulting in a world-class car. The connoisseur knows that only the true professional can do a job like this, because it is a hell of a task to be able to keep up with the extremely high quality requirements down to the last nut and bolt. Then it is extra pleasant to know that the owner and restorer were thinking on the same level and were working together until the very best is achieved. This process started in early 2018 and was completed more than 1.5 years later with the intention of participating in the Schloß Dyck Masterpieces and Style in 2020. But that did not take place, so the next owner now has the opportunity to register with an intended winner.

Extensive documentation of all the work that has been done is of course available and the originality is proven by the issued Certificazione di Autenticita, which shows that the car has matching numbers and matching colors. Incidentally, this is one of the first Lamborghini’s worldwide for which a certificate has been issued.

And the very best is now for sale at our place. You will immediately understand that this Lamborghini is not a bargain and will not go to a new owner for the average price for which a 350 GT is for sale. We are talking here about serious money, but then you really have the very, very best. That may sound a bit exaggerated, but then you should come and admire the car in real, and you will be amazed by the sublime quality. From the deep shine of the Grigio Argento paintwork that the perfect fitted panels (which in this latest version is partly made of aluminum and partly steel) accentuates the sharp lines of the elegant body. Or should we say artwork? Because this is on at least the same level as a wall-hanging masterpiece. The same experience continues in the beautiful interior. The sporty yet chic design, together with the best quality leather and top-quality chrome finish, creates an unparalleled experience that only an Italian classic can bring about.

Driving is of course also a thrill itself. The 286 bhp 3.5-liter 12-cylinder transmits its great torque through the wonderfully shifting ZF 5-speed gearbox to the Salisbury rear axle with limited slip differential. The all-round independent suspension provides excellent road holding to enjoy the driver and his passenger.

For whom is this car suitable? Absolutely for someone who is only satisfied with the best that is available. Someone who can enjoy the sight of the car, and is delighted by the beautiful lines and styling, conceived by master designer Scaglioni and turned into reality by craftsmen of Carrosseria Touring. Someone who is not only thrilled by the sound of Luciano Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma, but also by the exhaust sound of the Bizzarrini 12-cylinder. Someone who wants to cherish the possession of a piece of unparalleled Italian history, and if we are lucky, also want to share it with others. Then you can, for example, take part in beautiful tours in your homeland and abroad or register for a famous concours d’elegance. Plenty of options to enjoy: del meglio che la vita ha da offrire. In other words: the best that life has to offer us.

Technical information:
Engine: V-12 full aluminium
Carburetors: 6 x Weber DCOH
Displacement: 3464 cc.
Power: 284 bhp. at 6500 rpm.
Torque: 325 Nm. at 4500 rpm.
Topspeed: 254 km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 6.8 sec.
Weight: 1450 kg.
Transmission: ZF 5-speed manual