View source for Lamborghini 350 GT

{{Short description|Italian sports car}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Lamborghini 350 GT
| image = 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT.jpg
| manufacturer = [[Carrozzeria Touring]] for<br>[[Lamborghini]]<ref name="Lambo_350GT" />
| production = May 1964–1966<ref name="CFI" /><br>120 built<ref name="Lambo_350GT" />
| assembly = Italy: [[Sant'Agata Bolognese]]<ref name="CFI" />
| predecessor = [[Lamborghini 350 GTV]]
| successor = [[Lamborghini 400 GT]]
| class = [[Grand tourer]]
| body_style = 2-[[vehicle door|door]] [[coupé]]<br>2-door [[roadster (automobile)|roadster]] (350 GTS)
| layout = [[FR layout]]
| engine = {{convert|3464|cc|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} ''[[Lamborghini V12|Lamborghini]]'' [[V12 engine|V12]]
| powerout = {{cvt|280|hp-metric|kW|0}} and {{cvt|325|Nm|lbft|0}} of [[torque]]
| transmission = 5-speed ''[[list of ZF transmissions#5-speed longitudinal|ZF]]'' [[Manual transmission|manual]]<ref name="CFI" />
| wheelbase = {{convert|2550|mm|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1730|mm|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1220|mm|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|1450|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| related = 
| designer = [[Carrozzeria Touring]]
| sp = uk
}}

The '''Lamborghini 350 GT''' is a [[grand tourer]] manufactured by Lamborghini between 1964 and 1966. It was the first [[production vehicle]] produced by Lamborghini.<ref name="Lambo_350GT">{{cite web|url=https://www.lamborghini.com/en-en/brand/masterpieces/350-GT|title=Lamborghini 350 GT - Technical Specifications - First Lamborghini Ever Built|work=Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.|publisher=Lamborghini.com|access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref> The 350 GT was based on the earlier [[Lamborghini 350GTV|Lamborghini 350 GTV]] and was equipped with a 3.5 liter [[V12 engine]] and a 2-door [[coupé]] body by [[Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera|Carrozzeria Touring]]. The 350 GT debuted at the March [[Geneva Motor Show#1964|1964 Geneva Motor Show]] and production began the following May. The success of this model ensured the company's survival, establishing it as a viable competitor with rival manufacturer [[Ferrari]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Harvey|first=Chris|title=The Lamborghinis: A Collector's Guide|date=1982|publisher=Motor Racing|isbn=0-900549-69-6|location=London|oclc=59246925}}</ref><ref name="CFI">{{cite web|title=Lamborghini 350, 400 & Islero|url=http://www.carsfromitaly.net/lambo/350_400_islero.html#350gt|work=CarsFromItaly.net|access-date=9 January 2010}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Lyons|first=Pete|title=The Complete Book of Lamborghini.|date=1988|publisher=Foulis|isbn=0-85429-735-9|oclc=24752729}}</ref>

==History==
===Initial design team===
[[File:Lamborghini 350 GTV.jpg|thumb|left|1963 Lamborghini 350 GTV Prototype]]

After the testing of his prototype Lamborghini engine in May 1963, then-lead engineer [[Giotto Bizzarrini]] left the company.<ref name=":0" /> The following month [[Ferruccio Lamborghini]] tasked engineer [[Giampaolo Dallara]] with developing a production version of Bizzarrini's [[Lamborghini 350 GTV|350 GTV]] grand tourer.<ref name=":1" /> Dallara was assisted in this project by engineer [[Paolo Stanzani]] and test driver [[Bob Wallace (test driver)|Bob Wallace]].<ref name=":0" />

Dallara and Stanzani quickly realized that the 350 GTV was not properly designed for mass production. They began working in parallel on two projects that would result in the production 350 GT. First, they began de-tuning the original Bizzarrini engine and redesigning the original Bizzarrini chassis for street use.<ref name=":0" /> Second, they started readying the 350 GTV for its late-October 1963 [[Turin Auto Show]] debut, where Lamborghini hoped it would raise interest in the eventual production 350 GT.<ref name="Pasini_GTV">Pasini, Stefano "Lamborghini 350 GTV." Rivista Lamborghini Review, 1991</ref>

===Redesigning the GTV Prototype===
[[File:12-10-25-autostadt-wolfsburg-by-RalfR-30.jpg|thumb|1966 Lamborghini 350 GT]]
[[File:Rétromobile 2017 - Lamborghini 350 GT coupé touring - 1964 - 004.jpg|thumb|1964 Lamborghini 350 GT rear]]
[[File:Lambo350GT 6821.jpg|thumb|1965 Lamborghini 350 GT rear detail]]
[[File:Lambo350GT 6820.jpg|thumb|1965 Lamborghini 350 GT engine]]
[[File:1965 Lamborghini 350 GT Interior.jpg|thumb|1965 Lamborghini 350 GT interior]]

The 350 GT shared a number of features with the 350 GTV prototype, including a four-wheel [[independent suspension]], the quad-cam 3.5 liter [[Lamborghini V12]], and an aluminium body. A number of mechanical revisions and refinements were made due to the suggestions of the Neri and Bonacini racing development shop and test driver Bob Wallace.  The body was redesigned by Carrozzeria Touring, retaining the original profile while cleaning up details of the design to result in a more cohesive appearance.  Most noticeable was the replacement of the prototype's rotating [[Hidden headlamp|hidden headlights]] with fixed headlights.<ref name=":0" />

As equipped to the 350 GTV, the Bizzarrini-designed 3.5 liter V12 was essentially a race motor, potentially developing {{cvt|400|hp-metric|kW|0}} at 11,000rpm.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.400gt.com/articles/EarlyLambo/Biz_Honda.htm|chapter=The Lamborghini V-12: A Japanese Connection?|last=Lyons|first=Pete|date=1988|title = The Complete Book of Lamborghini|publisher=Beekman House|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104412/http://www.400gt.com/articles/EarlyLambo/Biz_Honda.htm|archive-date=25 September 2018 | via = 400GT.com }}</ref>  In order to fit his grand touring car with a smoother, more pleasant, longer-lasting engine that would be "good for 40,000 hard miles between services," Ferruccio had Dallara and Wallace de-tune a version of this prototype GTV motor for street use.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> This included:

* Replacing the elaborate and costly racing-style [[Dry sump|dry sump oiling system]] with a conventional [[Wet sump|wet sump system]]
* Reducing the [[compression ratio]] from 11.0:1 or above to 9.4:1
* Cutting back on the exotic materials specified for the [[crankshaft]] and other components to reduce cost
* Relocating the [[distributor]]s to more accessible positions on the fronts of the exhaust [[camshaft]]s
* Adoption of a single, very tall Lamborghini-made [[oil filter]]
* Replacing the expensive 36&nbsp;mm down-draft racing [[Weber carburetor]]s with conventional, less expensive side-draft 40 DCOE Webers. This resolved clearance problems seen in the GTV prototype and enabled the exceptionally low hood line Ferruccio desired.
* Softening the [[Camshaft#Duration|cam profiles]] for smoother running during street driving

This first "detuned" L350 engine was tested on October 3, 1963.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.400gt.com/articles/first_test/first_test.htm|title=The First Lamborghini L350 Engine Test|website=400GT.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214002158/http://www.400gt.com/articles/first_test/first_test.htm|archive-date=14 February 2005}}</ref> The result{{mdash}}later fit in the 350 GT{{mdash}}was a very capable {{cvt|270|hp-metric|kW|0}} power plant that could reach {{cvt|254|km/h|mph|0}} in top.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Riding_The_Bull">{{cite web|url=http://www.hemmings.com/hsx/stories/2008/09/01/hmn_feature13.html|title=Riding The Bull|last=LaChance|first=Dave|date=September 2008|website=Hemmings.com|access-date=16 April 2020}}</ref>

While this 350 GT design work continued, the 350 GTV prototype was rushed to completion for the upcoming October 26 press meeting and the subsequent inauguration of the Turin Auto Show on the 30th.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=Pasini_GTV/>  The 350 GTV was shown at the Turin Auto Show with the original Bizzarrini "racing" V-12 engine{{mdash}}with its downdraft webers, rear distributors, etc.{{mdash}}displayed alongside as it was not "adapted to the chassis."<ref name=Pasini_GTV/> The car was a static display with the suspension arms simply tack-welded in place and the engine not installed.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Pasini_GTV" /> Lukewarm reaction to the car caused Ferruccio Lamborghini to postpone plans for immediate production and move on to introducing Dallara's new 350 GT design.<ref name=":1" />

In March 1964, only five months after the debut of the GTV in Turin, the "redesigned GTV"{{mdash}}now called the 350 GT{{mdash}}was debuted at the Geneva Auto Show.<ref name=":0" /> It was greeted with sufficient enthusiasm that Ferruccio decided to proceed with production in May 1964.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

===Manufacturing and assembly===
The manufacture of the bodies was entrusted to [[Carrozzeria Touring|Touring]] of Milan, who used their patented [[Superleggera]] method of construction to fix [[aluminium alloy]] panels directly to a tubular structure. The first 350 GT frame was fabricated by [[Neri and Bonacini]], who continued to act as Lamborghini's chassis supplier until production of the 350 GT was underway, when the job was turned over to Marchesi.<ref name="MotorTrend">{{cite web|url=http://www.motortrend.com/classic/features/c12_0603_1966_lamborghini_400gt_monza|title=The Ultimate Barn Find: 1966 Lamborghini 400GT Monza|last=Dredge|first=Richard|date=18 July 2006|website=[[Motor Trend]]|access-date=10 January 2010}}</ref> Chassis and bodies were mated at Touring, which then delivered the complete assemblies{{mdash}}with even the bumpers in place{{mdash}}to the Lamborghini factory. The cars could be ordered in several colors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.400gt.com/misc/350colors.jpg|title=Tonalità Originali Vettura L 350 GT|website=400GT.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707064018/http://www.400gt.com/misc/350colors.jpg|archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref>

The first 350 GT chassis and body, delivered to the Lamborghini factory on March 9, 1964, was named No. 101 (Touring No. 17001). That same month No. 101 debuted at the Geneva show. The first customer delivery of a 350 GT was No. 104 (Touring No. 17004), delivered on July 31, 1964.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lambocars.com/classic_gt/350_gt.html|title=350 GT - the Story |last=Smeyers|first=Mark|date=12 January 2016|website= lambocars.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> No. 104 is displayed in mint condition at the Sinsheim Technical Museum. Production increased slowly: despite the initial goal of building 10 cars a week, less than 25 cars were delivered to customers in 1964.<ref name=":2" />

Lamborghini produced one hundred-twenty 350 GTs before replacing it with the [[Lamborghini 400 GT]] in 1966.<ref name="Lambo_350GT" /> Many 350 GTs were subsequently fitted with the larger 4.0 litre engine used in the 400 GT, in order to take advantage of the later engine's greater power and better replacement parts availability.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Marchet|first=Jean-François|title=Lamborghini Espada & the 4-seaters : 350GT, 400GT, Islero, Jarama, Marzal, Espada|date=1985|publisher=Osprey Pub.|isbn=0-85045-592-8|location=London|oclc=12806744}}</ref>

==Specifications==
The 350 GT had an all-[[aluminium alloy]] V12 engine mated to a [[list of ZF transmissions#5-speed longitudinal|five-speed ZF]] [[manual transmission]]. It had an aluminium body, a Salisbury [[limited-slip differential]], four-wheel independent suspension, and [[vacuum servo]]-assisted [[Girling brakes|Girling]] [[disc brake]]s all round. The 350 GT was originally fitted with [[Pirelli Cinturato]] HS 205-section tyres.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name="CFI" />

It had a wheelbase of {{convert|2550|mm|1}}, with a front and rear [[axle track]] of {{convert|1380|mm|1}}.  It measured {{convert|4640|mm|1}} long by {{convert|1730|mm|1}} wide and was {{convert|1220|mm|1}} high.  With its [[curb weight|kerb weight]] of {{convert|1450|kg|0}}, the 350 GT could accelerate from {{convert|0|to|100|km/h|1}} in 6.8 seconds, and from {{convert|0|to|100|mph|0}} in 16.3 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of {{convert|254|km/h|0}}.<ref name="Lambo_350GT" /><ref name="CFI" /><ref name="Riding_The_Bull" />

===Chassis===
As was the case with the motor, Bizzarrini's GTV "racing" chassis design was the basis of Dallara's 350 GT "street" chassis. The GTV chassis was unsuitable for a street car due to its lightweight construction and small door openings obstructed by tubing. Dallara's redesign for the production 350 GT used larger {{Convert|60|mm|in|abbr=on}} square-section steel tubing in a central "floor", with front and rear cradles made from {{Convert|50|mm|in|abbr=on}} and {{Convert|25|mm|in|abbr=on}} tubing to support the engine, rear differential and suspension mountings. This design provided easy entry and exit through the doors, aided in the quietness of the car, and provided a solid platform on which to mount the body.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />

===Suspension===
The suspension was fully independent, with unequal-length wishbones and [[coilover]] shock absorbers. In the rear, the coilover assembly was located to the rear of the suspension wishbone mountings. The rear suspension wishbones were asymmetrical front-to-back, with an offset that brought the rear wheel hubs towards the spring mountings.<ref name=":0" /> This arrangement provided increased resistance to [[Torsion (mechanics)|torsion]] and improved stability during acceleration and braking.<ref name=":2" /> [[Anti-roll bar]]s were equipped on front and rear.<ref name=":0" />

===Engine===
Quality control of the early {{convert|3464|cc|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} engines was very high. Each one underwent tests for 24 hours on a Schenk Walge dynamometer, being run for the first 12 hours under electric power, and then with gasoline at increasing speeds, producing {{cvt|280|hp-metric|kW|0}} at 6500 rpm and {{convert|325|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of [[torque]] at 4500 rpm.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.lambocars.com/classic_gt/350_gt_specifications.html
|publisher=Lambocars.com
|title=350 GT specifications
|access-date=2018-09-17}}</ref> A detailed analysis was made of its behavior before installation in the car for at least 500 kilometres of mixed-test running by Wallace.<ref name=":0" />

==350 GTS==
[[File:Concorso Eleganza Villa d'Este 2013 (8847046890) (cropped).jpg|thumb|350 GTS chassis no. 0325 shown at the 2013 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este]]
The Lamborghini 350 GTS was a [[convertible]]-roof [[Roadster (automobile)|spider]] version of the 350 GT, first shown at the November 1965 Turin Auto Show. Two were constructed by Carrozzeria Touring in 1965.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Rive Box|first=Rob de la|title=Lamborghini: the cars from Sant' Agata Bolognese|last2=Crump|first2=Richard|date=1981|publisher=Osprey|others=Crump, Richard.|isbn=0-85045-408-5|location=London|oclc=8431194}}</ref> When folded down, the convertible top was designed to be concealed in the storage area behind the two seats.<ref name=":2" /> Of the two originally built, chassis 0328 was finished in black with an emerald green interior, while chassis 0325 was painted gold with a brown interior.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lambocars.com/classic_gt/350_gts.html|title=350 GTS|last=Smeyers|first=Mark|date=11 May 2018 |publisher=www.lambocars.com |language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-19}}</ref>

== 3500 GTZ ==
The Lamborghini 3500 GTZ was designed by [[Ercole Spada]] and built by [[Zagato]]. It used a shortened Lamborghini 350 GT chassis. Two cars were built in total: chassis number 0310 and 0320. Chassis number 0310 was shown at the 1965 London Motor Show and was sold to Lamborghini’s official agent in Milan. This car was then sent to Australia where it was converted to a RHD configuration. In 2006 this car was purchased by a European collector who converted the car back to a LHD configuration.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-02-26|title=Rare classic 1965 Lamborghini could be only survivor|url=https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/rare-lamborghini/|access-date=2021-03-03|website=Hagerty Media|language=en-US}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| align = center
| image1 = 1965 Lamborghini 3500 GTZ Zagato Coupe.jpg
| caption1 = Lamborghini 3500 GTZ chassis number 0310
| image2 = 1965 Lamborghini 3500 GTZ Zagato Coupe - 49779188621.jpg
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Lamborghini 350 GT}}

{{Lamborghini road car timeline 1963-1989}}
{{Lamborghini}}

[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:First car made by manufacturer]]
[[Category:Lamborghini vehicles|350 GT]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Group 4 (racing) cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1963]]