350/400:History

From VLGWiki

The 350/400 design began with the prototype Lamborghini, the GTV. This futuristic Scaglione design was first shown -- without its engine, which was displayed next to it -- in October 1963 at the Turin auto show. The 3.5 liter V-12 was designed by famed (and ex-) Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini (GTO), and was based on an existing design he made for a 1.5 liter formula one racing engine. Bizzarrini also designed the GTV’s chassis.

The GTV’s body, chassis and engine design were modified by Lamborghini and Touring to become the first production Lamborghini, the 350GT, which debuted only 5 months later at the March 1964 Geneva auto show. An amazing feat, which demonstrates the power and influence Ferruccio Lamborghini already wielded in Italy, by means of his various tractor, heating and air conditioning companies.

In 1964, Lamborghini built thirteen 350GTs. Each one was tested thoroughly before being released to its customer. Because of this, these were probably the best quality cars Lamborghini ever produced while he was in control of the company.

As production continued, Lamborghini introduced its own differential and transmission, and increased the size of the engine to 3.9 liters. These components were fitted in 23 cars known as “Interims.” The Interim used the 350 body and chassis fitted with the new Lamborghini engine, transmission and rear end. This was a stepping stone to the 400GT 2+2 which was introduced -- along with the Miura -- at the March 1966 Geneva auto show.

While the 400GT 2+2 looks almost identical to the 350GT, the two cars share amazingly little in common. The 2+2 has basically a steel body (with aluminum hood and trunk) that has been heightened to allow room for the new “impractical” rear passengers. The engine, transmission and rear end are from the Interim, which leaves only certain components such as the windshield in common.

Whereas the 350 can be thought of as lighter and sportier, the 400 2+2 can be thought of as, as Lyons puts it in his wonderful The Complete Book of Lamborghini, possibly “The quintessential example of the marque -- the model best realizing Ferruccio’s original dream. It has the elegant body lines of the original 350 GT two-seater, but it has the durable steel coachwork, the larger trunk and the room for extra passengers, plus the more powerful 3.9 engine and Lamborghini’s more refined driveline.”

You can tell I am a 400GT 2+2 owner.:)

- Fred