Lamborghini 350GT
history
Ferruccio Lamborghini contracted the same design and production team who worked on the 350 GTV prototype to build the production version of the grand tourer, including Giotto Bizzarrini who designed the engine, Gian Paolo Dallara the chassis, and Franco Scaglione who designed the body.
The 350 GT shared a number of features with the 350 GTV prototype, including a four-wheel independent suspension, quad-cam V12, and an aluminium body. A number of revisions and refinements were made due to the suggestions of the Neri & Bonacini racing development shop, and test driver Bob Wallace. Fixed headlights replaced the prototype's pop-up variety, and twin-barrel side-draught Weber 40 DCOE 2 carburettors reduced the height of the engine, thereby negating the clearance problems of the GTV prototype.
The engine in the 350 GT was the Bizzarrini-designed V12. It was a very capable power plant that could reach well into triple-digit speeds in top form. The manufacture of the bodies was entrusted to Touring of Milan, who used their patented Superleggera method of construction to fix aluminium alloy panels directly to a tubular structure.
Lamborghini produced 135 350 GTs before replacing it with the larger-engined Lamborghini 400GT in 1966.
The Lamborghini 350 GT retailed for US$15,600 ($ today).
It had a wheelbase of , with a front and rear axle track of . It measured long by wide and was by high. With its kerb weight of , the 350 GT could accelerate from in 6.8 seconds, and from in 16.3 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of .
135 built
|assembly = Sant'Agata, Italy
|predecessor =
|successor = Lamborghini 400GT
|class = Sports car
|body_style = 2-door grand tourer (GT) coupé
|layout = Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
|engine = 60° aluminium V12 DOHC
|transmission = 5-speed ZF manual
|wheelbase =
|length =
|width =
|height =
|weight =
|fuel_capacity =
|related =
|designer = Carrozzeria Touring
|sp = uk
}}
The Lamborghini 350 GT was the first production model produced by Carrozzeria Touring for Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. from May 1964. It was based on the Lamborghini 350GTV prototype, which showcased at the 1963 Turin Auto Show. The success of the 350 GT ensured the company's survival, and established it as a viable competitor with sports car maker Ferrari S.p.A..
Specifications
The 350 GT had an all-aluminium alloy V12 engine mated to a five-speed ZF manual transmission. It had an aluminium body, and four-wheel independent suspension, and vacuum servo-assisted Girling disc brakes all round.