Sports car production in Emilia Romagna, Italy, 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 impressive, and it was introduced to wide acclaim at the Geneva Motor Show in 1962.

Lamborghini’s sports car promised outstanding performance, with four-wheel independent suspension and a four-cam V-12 engine that had been derived from Bizzarrini’s extensive racing experience. After further development and styling refinements by Carrozzeria Touring, the production 350 GT was introduced two years later. This first Lamborghini production car delivered on all of 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 example offered here, the ninth built in 1965, was originally delivered on November 13 of that year to Lamborcar, the official Lamborghini dealer in Milan. According to the consignor, it was retained by its original owner until 1975, when the second caretaker purchased it in Arizona. He recounts that it was driven to El Paso, Texas, and after three years of occasional use, the Lamborghini was parked until the present consignor acquired it for his own collection several years ago.

The car has just completed a painstaking restoration, in which it was expertly refinished in its stunning original colors of Grigio Medio (18008) and a Tobacco (20266) leather interior. The finish has a spectacular light green tint to its medium grey hue, and it is incredibly striking in comparison to the numerous silver and red examples to be found. The new paint was applied over a solid original body that had been taken to its bare metal, and it is set off by beautiful, freshly refinished chrome. The interior is accented by new matching wool carpeting.

The suspension and brakes were completely rebuilt, and the original Borrani chrome wire wheels were refinished and shod with new Pirelli tires. The car is also accompanied by a correct original spare in the trunk. Of course, the engine has been freshly and expertly rebuilt, and it is noted by the owner to have its original matching-numbers block. The owner also reports that the 93,331 kilometers (57,993 miles) on the odometer are original, although this cannot be verified.

This extraordinarily nice Lamborghini is beautifully detailed and is ready for show in every regard. Despite the importance of the 350 GT model, examples are rarely restored to this high a standard. The owner describes it as being “the best 350 GT on the market,” which is an assertion that few enthusiasts could argue. No collection of Fighting Bulls is complete without one of “the originals,” and it would be difficult to beat the example offered here.