Lamborghini’s first production car, the 350 GT was the brainchild of two of Italy’s most illustrious auto designers. With an engine designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, fresh from Ferrari, and a chassis engineered by Gianpaolo Dallara, the 350 GT needed only Touring’s superleggera bodywork to be worthy of the charging bull.

Offered here, chassis 0355 retains its original 3,464-cc V-12 engine. Although originally designed with dry sump lubrication and downdraft carburettors, it was clear to Lamborghini that this design was more suitable to a competition car. The solution was to detune the engine – this included replacing the oiling system with a wet sump oil pan, reducing the compression ratio, relocating the distributors and utilising conventional side draft 40 DCOE Webers. The result delivered 270 hp through a five-speed ZF gearbox, and it featured independent suspension and four-wheel power disc brakes to accomplish suitable high-speed cruising. The engines were dynamometer-tested for 24 hours before installation, first electronically, then under their own power. They were designed to withstand 40,000 miles of enthusiastic motoring, and the resulting engine proved refined and durable – the 350 GT offered here is mechanically sound and still driving as it did when it left the factory, just as Bizzarrini designed it.

According to Olivier Nameche’s dating letter, chassis 0355 was completed on 3 May 1966 and brought into France by the importer, VPM. Sporting its original colour of Grigio Argento, the car has had relatively few owners and has been driven sparingly, and is in generally good condition, running and driving well.

The 350 GT was an immediate success as a grand touring machine; it was quiet at speed, beautifully finished and a capable performer, with a 0–60 time of 6.8 seconds. Offered here is a chance to own a beautiful example of Lamborghini’s first production model – a true piece of motoring history.