Description
Author: Peter Collins, Hardbound, 144 Pages, ISBN: 9781847979377, 1st Edition, 2015
"Lamborgini Model by Model" takes the reader through each Lamborghini production model and some of the most significant concept cars. It presents a thorough base for anyone who wishes to understand more about the history and depth of the company, and how the model line developed and evolved.
The story that Ferruccio Lamborghini was so incensed by the service he received at the hands of Enzo Ferrari that he resolved to build a better car himself may or may not be true. What is true is that he owned one of the models from Maranello, and because he was a very astute businessman and engineer, and enjoyed making money, he thought he could see how to build a better vehicle.
His vision led him to gathering some of the very best young and gifted engineers and designers then available in Italy. With Carrozzeria Touring designing the bodies, Giotto Bizzarrini the engine and Giampaolo Dallara the chassis, the first production car, the 350 GT, was greeted with enthusiasm, turning into out-and-out praise when a 4-litre version of the V12 engine was installed to create the 400 GT.
Ferruccio's ultimate ambition was a 2+2 and this arrived later, in 1966. By this time the youthful team had dreamt up the technological and aesthetic masterpiece that was the Miura. This was followed by the radical Espada, the world's most advanced four-seater at the time and long afterwards.
But the volatile social and economic climate was torn by conflict, and industrial relations were strained. The market for high-end cars contracted rapidly and, by 1972, Ferruccio saw that he had had the best years and that his core tractor business faced problems. He later sold out to Georges-Henri Rosetti, who also suffered from the world recession.
After three more ownership changes, the Mimram family gained control and worked hard to seek profitability. The legendary Countach was introduced and attempts made to widen the company's base by introducing smaller, more affordable cars such as the Silhouette and Jalpa. The Mimrams sold out to Chrysler, who had the financial heft to develop the Diablo and then, during another recession, they too sold the company to a consortium, who eventually sold it to its present owners, VW/Audi.
Lamborghini has now enjoyed its longest period of stability since its inception. Whilst the current models are not what Ferruccio envisaged, they have developed a secure and enthusiastic following from a whole new generation of clients and their heritage has produced some of the most exotic and best-known models in the classic and supercar markets.
