Photo: RM Sotheby's
At the end of 1963, Ferruccio Lamborghini introduced the 350 GTV to the world, much to the surprise and shock of Enzo Ferrari. However, the metamorphosis from prototype to production vehicle meant that the 350 GTV lost its angular looks for a more soft-edged design. Thus, the statuesque Lamborghini 350 GT was born in 1964.
From 1964 to 1966, Automobili Lamborghini built 131 units of the thing, after which the 400 GT came along. Then, in 1966, Lamborghini came into its own with the Miura, the model that defined and still defines our affinity for the supercar genre.
But unlike the Miura, the 350 GT is a different kind of breed, one that Lamborghini has rarely repeated ever since. The Espada is an excellent case in point, though. Nevertheless, the aesthetic qualities and the scarcity of the first-ever production model to wear the Lamborghini badge aren’t to be taken lightly. After all, the 350 GT is all about grand touring, not about showing off.
The car you can admire in the featured photograph and the gallery below is one of the best documented 350 GTs in existence today. To go under the hammer on May 14, RM Sotheby’s believes that the Carrozzeria Touring-bodied bull will go for as much as €850,000 or $970,000 at current exchange rates. To put that estimate into perspective, Lamborghini Miura P400 S chassis no. 4377 sold for $974,400 in 2015. Oh, and another thing: the Lamborghini Miura is more common than the 350 GT and 450 GT combined.
According to the listing, racing driver Luigi Piotti owned this 350 GT. Piotti, like many Italian racecar drivers of the 1950s and 1960s, wasn’t that brilliant behind the wheel as far as competitiveness is concerned. Even though he participated in eight Grand Prix events, he scored no championship points whatsoever. Nevertheless, he had great taste in cars and this Lamborghini 350 GT is a testament to that.
More info on this charming GT from days gone by is available on the RM Sotheby’s website.
But unlike the Miura, the 350 GT is a different kind of breed, one that Lamborghini has rarely repeated ever since. The Espada is an excellent case in point, though. Nevertheless, the aesthetic qualities and the scarcity of the first-ever production model to wear the Lamborghini badge aren’t to be taken lightly. After all, the 350 GT is all about grand touring, not about showing off.
The car you can admire in the featured photograph and the gallery below is one of the best documented 350 GTs in existence today. To go under the hammer on May 14, RM Sotheby’s believes that the Carrozzeria Touring-bodied bull will go for as much as €850,000 or $970,000 at current exchange rates. To put that estimate into perspective, Lamborghini Miura P400 S chassis no. 4377 sold for $974,400 in 2015. Oh, and another thing: the Lamborghini Miura is more common than the 350 GT and 450 GT combined.
According to the listing, racing driver Luigi Piotti owned this 350 GT. Piotti, like many Italian racecar drivers of the 1950s and 1960s, wasn’t that brilliant behind the wheel as far as competitiveness is concerned. Even though he participated in eight Grand Prix events, he scored no championship points whatsoever. Nevertheless, he had great taste in cars and this Lamborghini 350 GT is a testament to that.
More info on this charming GT from days gone by is available on the RM Sotheby’s website.
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