In 1966 Lamborghini prepared a larger version of the 350 and 400 GT called the 2+2 that made space for a rear seat and more overall interior space.
This extra room and seating space followed Lamborghini’s goal to make a user-friendly grand tourer at the highest level. He employed some of the best in the business to take on the well-established and well-raced Ferraris.
The first 350 prototype was designed by Franco Scaglione. This was heavily modified by Carrozzeria Touring who had to produce the design for series production. After 120 cars, the model was revised again by Touring into the 400 GT 2+2. Probably the most tell-tale difference between the 350 GT and 400 2+2 is the paired headlights, but the cars have a number of important differences that make the 4-seater almost entirely new.
This new model accommodated a rear set of seats that couldn’t fit in the original design. Touring had to pay considerable attention to increasing interior space without losing the 350 GT’s elegant proportions. To do this, they retained the exact same front windscreen, but lowered the floorpan and steched the entire body slightly taller. Extra height comes from higher beltline and the 400 GT is noticeably taller when examining the extra space from the top of the front wheel arch to the body crease. The result is a car that is 2.6 inches higher but very similar in proportion to the 350 GT.
Other space saving measures included reversing the rear control arms and completely reshaping the rear window. This allowed for a reshaped trunk lid and a single fuel filler which sat on the right-side C-pillar, replacing the dual-fillers from the early model.
Probably the most tell-tale difference between the 350 GT and 400 2+2 is the paired headlights that replaced the early sculpted units. These were necessary to comply with American safety regulations. Other detail differences include an extra front wiper and new, more basic dashboard gauges. Some cars have been modified to mimic the early design traits.
To save production costs and increase durability, bodies were changed from aluminum to steel. This meant that the new model was much heavier than the outgoing 350 GT. Only the trunk and hood remained in aluminum.
Attached the new V12 was a Lamborghini-designed five-speed transmission. This replaced the old ZF unit and was thought to make less noise with and be easier to use with Porsche syncro rings on all five gears. The rear Salisbury differential was also replanced by a Lamborghini unit. Chassis details remained almost identical. Only the spring and shock rates were changed to cope with the increased weight of the larger steel body.
The 400 GT 2+2 was released in March at the Geneva Motor Show. It was direction competition to the Ferrari 330 GT, Jaguar E-Type 2+2 and the Maserati Sebring 3500 GTIS.
After two years of production the 400 GT out-produced the 350 by a factor of two. Just under 250 examples were made, very few of which were right-hand drive. Two specially-bodied 2+2s were made. One more-angular car called the Flying Star II by Touring and a second more outrageous car by Neri & Bonacini called the Monza 400.
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1966 – 1968 |
| released at | 1966 Geneva |
| built at | Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy |
| coachbuilder | Touring |
| engineers | Giampaolo Dallara |
| production | 242 |
| price $ | $ 14,750 |
| predeccesor | 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT |
| succeccesor | 1969 Lamborghini Islero S |
| engine | 60° V12 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | Aluminum Alloy |
| valvetrain | DOHC 2 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | 6 Twin-Throat 40 DCOE Webers |
| displacement | 3929 cc / 239.8 in³ |
| bore | 82.0 mm / 3.23 in |
| stroke | 62.0 mm / 2.44 in |
| compression | 10.5:1 |
| power | 238.6 kw / 320 bhp @ 6500 rpm |
| specific output | 81.45 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 220.54 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 374.2 nm / 276 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm |
| body / frame | Steel Body over Steel Tube Spaceframe |
| 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 | 2548 mm / 100.3 in |
| front track | 1384 mm / 54.5 in |
| rear track | 1384 mm / 54.5 in |
| length | 4686 mm / 184.5 in |
| width | 1727 mm / 68.0 in |
| height | 1285 mm / 50.6 in |
| transmission | Lamborghini All-Syncromesh 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 |
