In contrast to the radical, mid-engine supercars with which it is now synonymous, the initial offerings from Ferruccio Lamborghini’s eponymous automaker were comparatively traditional front-engine grand tourers. These early Lamborghini GTs boasted ample style and surprising refinement, however, especially from a fledgling company. Beautifully restored examples, such as this 1967 400 GT 2+2, are coveted by marque enthusiasts and aficionados of fine midcentury sports cars alike.

Introduced for 1966, the 400 GT 2+2 was an evolution of Lamborghini’s first production offering, the 350 GT. Like the 350 GT, this new model wore futuristic but elegant lines, and the 400 GT 2+2’s addition of rear seats increased practicality without compromising the classic proportions of the Carrozzeria Touring-built body. The glorious Giotto Bizzarrini-designed quad-cam V-12, enlarged to 3.9 liters and producing an impressive 320 horsepower, was mated to a Lamborghini-designed, fully synchronized five-speed manual transmission.

This car, chassis number 0616, is one of 247 produced in total. Per copies of factory build records contained in the accompanying Lamborghini Polo Storico documents, it was delivered on 30 July 1966 to Jake Kaplan's Lamborghini East, a dealership in New York. Then as now, it was painted Bleu Notte; the interior was trimmed in Tabacco leather, and the cabin was finished with Jaeger instrumentation and a wood-rimmed steering wheel, emblematic of a true Italian grand tourer. Knock-off Borrani wire wheels emphasized its high-performance spirit.

Although this 400 GT 2+2’s subsequent history is at the present unknown, it was fortunate enough to have survived in patinated-but-complete condition—albeit wearing a coat of red exterior paint—when it was acquired by the consignor in 2016. This made it an excellent candidate for total mechanical and cosmetic restoration by award-winning marque specialist Gary Bobileff of San Diego, California. During this comprehensive job, which spanned 2016-2020, the car was stripped; bodywork was repaired as necessary before being refinished in its factory-correct Bleu Notte, and its Tabacco upholstery was likewise refreshed to an as-new appearance. The car’s matching-numbers engine, as well as its transmission, were overhauled, and ancillary mechanical systems refurbished, with careful attention paid to appropriate finishes and details throughout.

The breathtaking results of this restoration were affirmed when the 400 GT 2+2 was certified by Lamborghini Polo Storico in 2021, confirming the presence of its numbers-matching engine as well as its very high degree of cosmetic and mechanical correctness; a Polo Storico certification book, as well as an outline of the considerable restoration work performed by Bobileff, accompany the car. Since completion, this 400 GT 2+2 has seen negligible use, and it has not yet been exhibited publicly; its next caretaker will have the exciting opportunity to debut this Lamborghini once again to the car community, just as it appeared back in 1967.