Lamborghini

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Lamborghini History
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Ferruccio Lamborghini was born in Italy in 1916. He was fascinated with
engines from an early age. During World War II he joined the army and was
stationed on the island of Rhodes. Fortunately there was little going on there
during the war. The island was essentially isolated from the rest of the
world. Any cars, trucks or motorcycles that broke down had to be repaired on
the spot with reused parts. Lamborghini became known as a wizard at mechanical
improvisation and became very much in demand at fixing engines.
About this time Lamborghini started to get interested in developing a high
performance car. He had owned Oscas, Maseratis and Ferraris but was always
disappointed with them. Particularly their engines. There is a now famous
story about how he was frustrated with problems he had with a clutch in a
Ferrari (a Ferrari 250 GT), and went to visit Enzo Ferrari who�s factory was
nearby. Enzo had no time for a tractor manufacture and simply dismissed him.
Lamborghini decided there was nothing Ferrari was doing he could not do better.
He decided too build his own car with a V12 engine. For the design he found a
very talented engineer named Giampaolo Dallara who had previously worked on a
Ferrari V12 engine.
It developed a surprising 350 HP. It was an all aluminum engine with a
crankshaft supported by seven main bearings. These crankshafts were machined
from SAE 9840 steel. The connecting rods (12) were of SAE 4340 steel. The
pistons were of forged aluminum. Each pair of camshafts were driven by their
own half engine speed sprocket and silent chain. This engine was really the
prototype for all future Lamborghini engines. A body designed by Scaglione-
ouring was used to house the engine.
The Lamborghini �350 GTV� prototype was shown to the public on the Turin
uto Show of 1963. Sales started the following year. The car was called the 350
GT. It was a complete success. Over 130 were sold.The future of Automobili
Lamborghini looked very bright during the sixties. The 350 GT was succeeded by
the 400 GT and then the 400 GT 2+2. The 350 GT and 400 GT 2+2 made the
Lamborghini name known throughout the world. With the funds coming in from
these cars and his successful tractor business Ferruccio allowed his engineers
to design and construction a new car � the Lamborghini Miura. The Miura made
the Lamborghini name legendary. It was a car truly ahead of its time.
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| Lamborghini Gallardo | Lamborghini Gallardo 2 |
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| Lamborghini Miura | Lamborghini Murcielago |