In two short years, Lamborghini tooled up and sold their first production car which debuted at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show. It closely followed the 350 GTV prototype of 1963 and was produced by Carrozeria Touring Superleggra.
After assembling a strong team to built the GTV prototype, Ferruccio Lamborghini launched the production version just five months later. These changes came from a wealth of talent including Giotto Bizzarrini, Gian Paolo Dallara and Franco Scaglione who worked styling both the production and prototype versions of the 350.
Like the concept 350 GTV, the production version had four-wheel independent suspension, a quad-cam V12 with a Scaglione-designed, aluminum body.
Refinements were made to the chassis at Neri & Bonacini with test driver Bob Wallace. Neri & Bonacini went on to manufacture frames for the earlier cars until the work was contracted out Marchesi.
For production, the body underwent a number of revisions. Fixed Cibie headlights replaced the pop-up counterparts and manufacture of the bodies was entrusted to Touring of Milan. They used their patented Supperleggra method of construction which fixed aluminum-alloy panels directly to a tubular structure.
The engine in the 350 was the intended Bizzarrini-designed V12. It was a very capable power plant that could reach 350 in top from. Unlike the GTV prototype, which experienced clearance problems, the 350 featured side-mounted carburetors to reduce the height of the engine.
Overall, the Lamborghini 350 was a success. Solid orders for the car ensured the companies’ survival and paved the way for future models. From Ferrari’s perspective, a new competitor had risen. One that used a wealth of talent within two years to produce a product that mirrored Ferrari performance.
After producing 143 350 GTs, Lamborghini replaced it with the larger-engined 400 GT in 1966.
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1966 – 1968 |
| released at | 1964 Geneva Motor Show |
| built at | Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy |
| coachbuilder | Touring Superleggra |
| production | 120 |
| price $ | $ 13,900 |
| engine | 60° V12 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | Aluminum Alloy |
| valvetrain | DOHC 2 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | 6 Twin-Throat 40 DCOE Weber Carburetors |
| displacement | 3464 cc / 211.39 in³ |
| bore | 77 mm / 3.03 in |
| stroke | 62 mm / 2.44 in |
| compression | 9.5:1 |
| power | 201.3 kw / 270 bhp @ 6500 rpm |
| specific output | 77.94 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 186.08 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 324.0 nm / 239 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm |
| body / frame | Aluminum Body over Steel Rectangular Frame |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Borrani Wire |
| front tires | 210-15 VR Pirelli Cinturato |
| rear tires | 210-15 VR Pirelli Cinturato |
| front brakes | Girling Discs w/Vacuum Assist |
| rear brakes | Girling Discs w/Vacuum Assist |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 16.5 cm / 15.0 x 6.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 16.5 cm / 15.0 x 6.5 in |
| steering | Worm & Roller |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1451 kg / 3199 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2550 mm / 100.4 in |
| front track | 1384 mm / 54.5 in |
| rear track | 1384 mm / 54.5 in |
| length | 4500 mm / 177.2 in |
| width | 1730 mm / 68.0 in |
| height | 1220 mm / 48.0 in |
| transmission | ZF 5-Speed Manual |
| tran clutch | Single Dry Plate |
| gear ratios | 2.520:1, 1.740:1, 1.230:1, 1.000:1, 0.815:1 |
| final drive | 4.08:1 |
| top speed | ~249.40 kph / 155 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~7.4 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~17.8 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~15.5 seconds |
| fuel econ epa | 18 L/100 km |
