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Tag: lamborghini

March 11, 1971 – Lamborghini Countach debuts
11Mar By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
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March 11, 1971 – Lamborghini Countach debuts

The Lamborghini Countach, the poster car for a generation, made its public debut at the Geneva Auto Show on this day in 1971. Following that unveiling of the Countach concept, known as the LP 500, a grand reception pushed the Italian automaker to transform it into a production model. After three years of further development, it hit the streets in 1974, succeeding the Lamborghini Muira. The LP 500 prototype and production Lamborghini Countach had several key differences. A platform frame sat under the yellow show car, where as production versions received a tubular frame. Additionally, a one of a kind 12-cylinder 4971cc engine powered the prototype, but the first production cars received a 3929cc (3.9 L) V12. By the time the Countach run ended in 1990, a 5167cc (5.2 L) would sit un...
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April 23,1987 – Chrysler buys Lamborghini
23Apr By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
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April 23,1987 – Chrysler buys Lamborghini

On this day 1987 Chrysler Corporation purchased Lamborghini for an estimated cost of $25 million. At the time, the luxury automaker was experiencing financial difficulty under the ownership of the Mimram Brothers. Above: Lamborghini 350 GT, produced 1964 to 1966Top: 1990 Lamborghini Diablo. By Mr.choppers - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 Ferruccio Lamborghini founded the sports car company in 1963 after, as legend has it, he experienced mechanical issues with his Ferrari. To remedy the issues, he made an attempt to meet with Enzo Ferrari, that car company’s founder. After being turned away, Ferruccio, who had already made a fortune in the sale of tractors and air conditioners, set out to build better, faster cars. His efforts led to the development of the first Lamborghini, the 350 GTV,...
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February 27, 1951 – Italian auto designer Walter de Silva is born
27Feb By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
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February 27, 1951 – Italian auto designer Walter de Silva is born

At just 21 years old, Italian Walter de Silva began a career as an automotive designe at Fiat in 1972. Born on this day in 1951, de Silva would go on to lead design for Alfa Romeo, SEAT, Audi and finally Volkswagen Group. He reigned at VW from 2007 until 2015. Above Walter de Silva as head of Audi design, via Audi World.Top: 2006 Lamborghini Miura concept by NAParish, CC BY 2.0 During his career he would craft or sign off on a number of important designs for numerous automakers. Some of the designs he is responsible for include the 1997 Alfa Romeo 156, 2004 Audi A6, 2006 Audi TT and R8, 2006 Lamborghini Miura concept, 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, 2011 Volkswagen Beetle, 2013 Lamborghini Egoista concept, and 2015 Volkswagen Touran, among many others. After leaving Volkswagen he starte...
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February 20, 1993 – Ferruccio Lamborghini dies
20Feb By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
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February 20, 1993 – Ferruccio Lamborghini dies

Ferruccio Lamborghini, founder of the sports car company that bears his name, passed away on this day in 1993 at the age of 76. The businessman was born in 1916 in in Renazzo, a small Italian town, to grape farmer parents. After studying at a technical institute, he received a draft notice for the Italian Royal Air Force during World War II. Lamborghini served as a mechanic on the Island of Rhodes, but wound up a British prisoner by the end of the war. He finally returned home in 1947, and with his refined set of skills he founded Lamborghini Trattori the next year. At the same time he was customizing a Fiat Topolino, which he eventually entered into the 1948 Mille Miglia. He did not finish the race due to a wreck 680 miles in. Above: 1963 Lamborghini 350 GTV prototype. By Craig ...
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October 30, 1963 – The first Lamborghini
30Oct By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
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October 30, 1963 – The first Lamborghini

When Enzo Ferrari refused to see a wealthy customer who had some concerns about his recently purchased Ferrari, that customer pledged to build his own sports car out of spite. The dissed customer, Ferruccio Lamborghini, stood by his word, sparking one of the greatest rivalries in automotive history. Ferruccio's revenge became tangible when he debuted the Lamborghini 350 GTV on this day in 1963 at the Turin Motor Show. While the car appeared whole from the outside, its internals were rather lacking. Had one popped the bonnet of the Lamborghini at the show they'd discover a pile of bricks. Unsatisfied with the engine the ex-Ferrari engineers Ferruccio hired had created, stating it was too similar to those in Ferraris, he instead weighed the car down to give it an appropriate stance....
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28Apr By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
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April 28, 1916 – Ferruccio Lamborghini is born

Today you can say happy birthday to a man who reinvented the wheel, or at least doors. Ferruccio Lamborghini was born on this day in 1916 in Renazzo, a small Italian town, to grape farmer parents. After studying at a technical institute, he received a draft notice for the Italian Royal Air Force during World War II. Lamborghini served as a mechanic on the Island of Rhodes, but wound up a British prisoner by the end of the war. He finally returned home in 1947, and with his refined set of skills he founded Lamborghini Trattori the next year. At the same time he was customizing a Fiat Topolino, which he eventually entered into the 1948 Mille Miglia. He did not finish the race due to a wreck 680 miles in. Above: 1963 Lamborghini 350 GTV prototype. By Craig Howell from San Carlos, CA....
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November 3, 1965 – Lamborghini unveils the Miura (chassis)
3Nov By Automotive HistoryNo Comments
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November 3, 1965 – Lamborghini unveils the Miura (chassis)

Lamborghini Miura chassis The Lamborghini Miura chassis was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show on this day in 1965. Despite not having a body, multiple orders were placed by affluent customers. It featured a mid-mounted V12 engine and many consider the vehicle to be the grandfather of all super cars. Lamborghini Miuria (Lamborghini.com)
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