Sports car production in Emilia Romagna was boldly awakened in 1963 by the advent of Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini, S.p.A. Mr. Lamborghini had set about introducing a new sports car to compete with Modena’s finest, and he had assembled a veritable dream team of talent to do so. With the work of such notables as Giotto Bizzarrini, Gian Paolo Dallara, and designer Franco Scaglione, the resulting 350 GTV prototype was introduced to wide acclaim at the Geneva Motorshow in 1962.

Lamborghini’s sports car promised outstanding performance, with four-wheel independent suspension and a four-cam V-12 engine derived from Bizzarrini’s extensive racing experience. After further development and styling refinements by Touring, the production 350 GT was introduced two years later. This first Lamborghini production car delivered on all its promises, with solid construction, competitive handling, formidable performance, and, of course, sexy Italian styling. Only about 131 examples were built before the 350 GT was replaced by the 400 GT 2+2.

The alloy 350 GT on offer was delivered new to Geneva in 1965, via Garage Foitek, in the attractive shade of Grigio Argento Metallizzato. The first owner was an elderly Swiss jeweler who sold the car many years later to another local resident. Historic racing driver and long-term collector Antony MacLean bought the car in Geneva in 1976 and imported it to England, where it was registered DPD 6T. MacLean used the car quite extensively, and it was even featured in numerous magazine articles, including road tests in Supercar Classics and Classic and Sports Car. In 1988, it came into the care of Aston Martin Chairman Victor Gauntlett, before being acquired in 1993 by noted collector Simon Draper. Since being acquired by Clive Winstone in 2001, it has been featured in Supercar Classics, Classic and Sportscar, and Car Classics, and on the popular television show Top Gear, and it has continued to be well looked-after as part of the Davis Collection.

While never requiring full restoration, its knowledgeable and meticulous owners have attended to rigorous maintenance, which has preserved the car’s superior condition. The car is accompanied by two extensive binders, which have copies of the original build cards from Lamborghini and numerous service records dating back to 1977, when the car was returned to the factory for complete mechanical reconditioning and a new gearbox. Other work over the years has included an unleaded engine rebuild in 2000, a new stainless steel exhaust system in 2007, rust-proofing, a suspension rebuild, and the polishing of new Borrani wire wheels, to name but a few. The frame itself has never been cut or welded, and it is devoid of corrosion. In 1995, Moto Technique stripped the alloy body down to bare metal, refinished the panels in the original Grigio Argento Metallic, and restored all the brightwork; all of this work is very nicely photo-documented.

As presented, the body remains straight, and the fit of the panels and door gaps is excellent, with beautiful chrome exhibiting only light polish marks. Virtually everything, from the fitment of new-old stock lights to the installation of a period radio, is documented in remarkable detail in a file containing 30 years of history. Today, the lightly patinated engine bay appears complete, correct, and serviceable, with the most dominant feature being the six Weber carburetors.

In addition to the £10,000 of service and work performed in the mid-2000s, within the last several years, the seats have been retrimmed in exquisite red leather with red piping and pleated inserts. The plush door panels and carpeting are red as well, with the upper console and dash in black. Complementing this is the white headliner, the smoked grey Plexiglas sun visors, and the chrome strips on the parcel shelf, with leather securing straps for luggage. In superb condition, and as one of only 131 350 GTs produced, this sharp example remains a rare, highly desirable, and very attractive example of Lamborghini’s first production car.