BUYER’S GUIDE

Lamborghini 350 GT review

Lamborghini’s first car was a powerful statement of intent, and now a beguiling, beautiful and rare classic GT…

What Is It?

We’ve all heard the one about the tractor maker and industrialist who reckoned he could build a better car than Ferrari, assembled a dream team of engineers and designers and went and did exactly that. That man was, of course, Ferruccio Lamborghini and the car was the 350 GT. If not as dramatic or revolutionary as the mid-engined Miura and Countach that followed, the 350 GT remains a significant car that, to this day, makes contemporary Ferraris look somewhat outdated.

The fabulous Bizzarrini-designed V12 under the long bonnet helps of course, likewise the elegant body built by Touring to its famous Superleggera construction method. If a little less obviously ‘Lamborghini’ than what followed, a 350 GT still has the class and intrigue — not to mention performance — to stand out among contemporary rivals.

Corrosive Areas

Underbody tubular frame

Suspension mounts

Outriggers

Checklist

Originally presented as the pop-up headlight 350 GTV, the more conventional 350 GT was first shown in October 1963 before making a formal debut at Geneva the following spring, with production models quickly following
Like Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin and many other rivals, the 350 GT’s bodywork was built by Carrozzeria Touring with its patented Superleggera construction of thin steel tubes clothed in aluminium bodywork
Later cars apparently used steel bodies — aluminium ones are more coveted among collectors, and also quicker thanks to the reduced weight
Superleggera system well-understood but requires expert restoration skills if work is required to the steel frame and hand-beaten panels
As such, make sure any restoration or repair work has been fully documented and carried out by a respected business so you know what lurks beneath the (doubtless) shiny paint
Early cars had a distinctive 2+1 seating arrangement, with a central rear seat, which retains curiosity and novelty value
Engine swaps to later 400 GT spec not unusual, both in period and down the line — if matching numbers provenance is claimed or wished for make sure they all add up
Given how few 350 GTs there are in circulation most will be well-known within the collector community, so do your research and make yourself known to owners and specialists to help identify cars that may be coming to market
V12 engine is beautifully engineered but demanding of specialist care and can suffer through lack of use — recommissioning work can be fiddly as well as expensive
Original ignition system can be especially difficult and may have been updated or replaced in the name of driveability over originality
Power claims vary, Lamborghini today saying 320PS (235kW), though in the day many say this was more like 280PS (206kW) — whatever the figure, performance is more than adequate!
At this level most 350 GTs will be immaculately presented, but you still need to be thorough in your inspections and mindful of mechanical condition

How does it drive?

There’s a funny story about Ferruccio Lamborghini promising Giotto Bizzarrini a bonus for every additional horsepower he could get out of his new engine, the ex-Ferrari engineer so enthused by this and the need to beat his former employer that he got somewhat carried away and basically built a race motor. Bizzarrini earned his bonus but the engine was dialled back for use in the 350 GT and retuned for flexibility. Relatively.

The V12 is still the heart and soul of the car, the sniff of fuel and air through its six side-draught Weber carbs a prelude to the fabulous bellow from the quad exhausts. On-paper performance may have been on a par with equivalent Ferraris like the 275 GTB and 330 GT 2+2 but the Lamborghini had more sophisticated all-independent suspension, telescopic dampers and a five-speed gearbox as standard, meaning it’s both more usable and refined to drive. GT by name, GT by nature, it’s a (very) fast and luxurious tourer in the classic style but with the looks, origin story and driving manners to make every trip an event.

What’s good?

While the later Miura and Countach are true icons the 350 GT is a less obvious choice, and while elegant, exotic and beautifully made, perhaps not as immediately recognisable. It is however still a Lamborghini, and has the cachet of being Ferruccio’s first car so perhaps, therefore, the purest expression of his personal tastes. It’s also very rare, with just 130 or so built. All of which makes it a very discerning pick, and bathing in that reflected glory will only add to the joy of ownership.

Then, as now, turning up in a 350 GT will likely spoil the fun of any Ferrari owners present, both for what it represents and the fact it’s a more unusual and interesting car than most carrying the prancing horse. That effortless cool, combined with its expression of Ferruccio’s defiant spirit, all adds to the fun while the driving experience more than lives up to the promise with its combination of speed and sophistication.

What’s bad?

While those in the know will appreciate the 350 GT for what it is, those outside of classic circles probably won’t know, or even perhaps care. For all its qualities the 350 GT doesn’t have the racing provenance of equivalent Ferraris, Maseratis or Aston Martins either, which may be a consideration. That rarity also means finding one for sale is going to be a challenge, let alone one with the correct condition, history and all the rest.

At this level it goes without saying that condition and provenance are vital to preserve the ongoing value, and you’ll need to be absolutely certain of the quality of any restoration work and mechanical upkeep earlier in its life. Given the value and rarity, many are now tucked away in collections rather than driven, lack of use often throwing up issues that can be fiddly and expensive to fix if you intend to use it.

Which model to choose?

If you want an original Spyder version then good luck, because only two were ever made! Beyond that it’s a case of perseverance, and deciding whether you want to pay the premium for the earlier, aluminium bodied cars or perhaps go the other way and seek out one of the later ones. Maybe even an example with the engine from the later 400 GT as was offered as an upgrade at the time.

Given how few there are in the market at any given time you’re unlikely to have much in the way of choice. So, as ever, it will be a case of finding the best you can afford and being absolutely diligent in researching its history and previous life to make sure it’s as good as it (doubtless) presents at first glance.

Specifications – Lamborghini 350 GT

Engine

3.5-litre V12 petrol

Power

320PS (235kW) @ 7,000rpm*

Torque

340Nm (251lb ft) @ 4,500rpm

Transmission

Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive

Kerb weight

1,100kg

0-62mph

c. 6.5 seconds

Top speed

over 155mph

Production dates

*Modern-day Lamborghini claim

1964-1966