The rivalry between Ferruccio Lamborghini and Enzo Ferrari was Magic-Bird, in the world of high-end automobilia.
Best thing that came out of it? Lamborghini’s first production model, the 350 GT, which was conceived as a personal vendetta against Mssr. Ferrari. As the story goes, Ferruccio, then a tractor manufacturer, didn’t like the clutch or lack of an adequate muffler on his Ferrari — so he sent a list of suggested improvements to Enzo. Predictably, the latter took offense to these criticisms. So the former went ahead and made them himself … by building the 350 GT.
Launched at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show for stated “commercial purposes,” the uncompromising beauty is now back in fighting form thanks to the handywork of Lamborghini Polo Storico, the company’s in-house restoration department.
The division’s fourth successful project, this number required 1,150 hours of labor on the bodywork and interior, plus 780 additional hours meticulously combing the mechanical and electrical functions. The result is the most precise original imaginable, with 270 horsepower courtesy of the 3.5-liter, aluminum alloy V12 tucked under the hood. Taking into account the team’s exclusive use of original Lambo parts and access to historical suppliers, it’s a feat that could only be completed in the family.
This article was featured in the InsideHook newsletter. Sign up now.