Ferruccio Lamborghini- Automotive Pioneer

Here’s a bit of trivia to begin with. Lamborghini, which today is known for its lightning fast, super sexy cars, was once a maker of tractors! The man credited for this transformation was none other than Ferruccio Lamborghini, the father of the brand, who 50 years ago took it upon himself to build machines that could challenge the likes of Ferrari. Today, as Lamborghini celebrates its Golden Jubilee with the Veneno, we dedicate this column to the genius behind the marque. 

Ferruccio started off building tractors under the Lamborghini Trattori name in 1948 and soon became an important manufacturer of agricultural equipment. Aside from making tractors, Ferruccio opened a garage where he began modifying an old Fiat Topolino into a 750cc open top, two-seater during his spare time, which later entered the 1948 Mille Miglia, though without success. 

The Italian’s tractor division earned him sufficient wealth to feed his enthusiasm for automobiles and he soon graduated to more powerful machines like the Jaguar, Maserati and Alfa Romeo. However, he wasn’t satisfied with the way some of them were made. He believed that the Maseratis “felt heavy and did not really go fast” while the Ferraris were equipped with substandard clutches and demanded a lot of maintenance. Ferruccio took his grouse over to Enzo Ferrari but was turned down and insulted by the arrogant car maker. This was when Ferruccio decided to build his own line of high performance exotic cars. 

He hired the engineering firm Società Autostar to build an engine similar to Ferrari’s 3.0-litre V12. Giotto Bizzarrini, who headed Società Autostar at the time, designed a 3.5-litre engine for Lamborghini that developed 365PS at 9,800rpm. Although Ferruccio wasn’t entirely satisfied with the engine, Bizzarrini refused to make any changes due to which the first Lamborghini 350GTV, unveiled at the 1963 Turin Motor Show, didn’t have a working powerplant.

Despite positive reviews for the 350GTV, Ferruccio continued working on the machine and detuned the engine to produce 284PS. He rechristened the 350GTV as the 350GT and showcased it at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show, where it was once again lauded. Ferruccio’s continued developing the 350GT to roll out the higher capacity 400GT. The course of the company changed when Ferrucio crafted the Miura, the first transversely mounted mid-engined car, a layout that is appreciated till date. 

The story of how a tractor manufacturer challenged the most acclaimed sports car maker like Ferrari to the extent that his cars even to date are considered among the hottest out there, is no doubt intriguing. What is remarkable is the determination of the man, his attention to detail and his business-acumen that allowed him to make thrice the profits. By successfully transforming Lamborghini, Ferruccio proved that you don’t need a racing pedigree or prowess to take on the best in the business; sheer willpower and fortitude does it.