What was lamborghini first car

In this situation, there are some unique opportunities and Ferruccio is immediately caught up by the libertarian euphoria, the Italy-after-war redemption spirit, and by the simplified bureaucratic load required to begin industrial activities that boosts employment and decides to test its technical and mechanical knowledge sometimes futuristic like the Diesel engine. He clearly foresees a new market for agriculture automation on large economies of scale.

At this time the market is dominated by Fiat, Landini, Motomeccanica, all of whom were still producing vehicles with combustion engines. Thus for several reasons there was plenty space for technological improvement. The degree of success is evident by the many farmers that admire, evaluate and buy the tractors. Thus, he decides to expand production. In annual production reaches pieces, the company employs 30 workers and administration is carefully followed by Annita, who Ferruccio has married a few months earlier.

At the beginning of the 50s the move from manufacturer to industrialist happens. The number of employees increases with the growth of production, the name of Ferruccio is famous in the world by now and the atmosphere in the company is cheerful and relaxed.

The sales network was born during these years. Initially Ferruccio tried finding the main customers, personally creating the distribution chain and meeting agents at the trade fairs. The production unit requires more and more space. The plant grows almost continuously: it is just before the economic boom and Ferruccio has once again hit the mark. He has a uncanny ability to understand what people want a minute before the competition does. This is confirmed by the fact that, for some years now, he has been producing tractors with Diesel engine and he soon obtains the license from MWM Motoren Werke Mannheim to produce these engines in Italy.

In the Italian government issues a new law granting loans to farmers for the purchase of farm machinery provided that it is produced domestically. Once again this demonstrates the great insight of Ferruccio. This law together with the broker-ability of Ferruccio drives up production. Sitting above the Islero in the Lamborghini range, the Espada would go on to enjoy a ten-year production run. Quite clearly inspired by the Marzal concept car, the Espada was a two-door Lamborghini with seating for four.

Check out the ducts on the bonnet, the partially covered rear wheels and the way in which the design of the body hides the huge amount of interior space. Oh, and talking of the interior…. Lamborghini was on a roll. The company planned a series of upgrades for its existing model line-up, which started with the Miura in The Miura S saw the power increased to hp, the addition of electric windows and a far more luxurious interior.

Options included air conditioning and leather. Outside, the S was marked by chrome trim and a S-shaped lightning bolt on the rear of the car. Alas, it was not to be. A mere were built and it was the last front-engined sports car, Lamborghini built. The Urraco of heralded a change in direction for Lamborghini. To accommodate the Urraco, Lamborghini expanded its factory by nearly square metres, but once again, the Urraco failed to win the hearts of Lamborghini devotees.

Which is a shame, because it remains a timeless piece of design by Marcello Gandini. So with new models failing to hit the target, Lamborghini was forced, once again, into upgrading its more successful models. With a completely new chassis, a lightweight body and the engine cranked up to produce hp at 8,rpm, this was a proper race car. Weighing an outstanding kg, the Miura Jota could accelerate to 62mph in just 3.

From the outside, the Miura Jota was notable for its revised headlights, which did away with the trademark eyelashes. It also featured small sliding windows at the side and new alloy wheels. That accolade belongs to the Miura SV of It was also wider at the back to accommodate the 9-inch wide rear wheels. In fact, it almost went unnoticed. Because at the same show, Lamborghini unveiled its second show-stopper. Few carmakers get to deliver one icon, let alone two.

In record time, Stanzani and Gandini produced an automotive legend. It was called the LP , or the Countach. The Countach had all the ingredients required to earn poster space on a bedroom wall. The wedge styling, which looked it had been forged from a single piece of metal. The scissor doors. Not to mention the mph top speed. The world would have to wait a further two years for the production version — the LP — so-called because of its 4.

But these were changing times. The Arab-Israeli War meant that big, petrol-engined cars were out of fashion. Not good news for a firm like Lamborghini. It did its best to react, building a 2. By now, Ferruccio Lamborghini had become disenchanted with the car business and he sold his remaining shares in The Jarama was quietly dropped from the range and Bertone proposed a new coupe called the Bravo. But at the Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini unveiled the Urraco-based Silhouette, complete with tele-dial alloy wheels.

It featured the hp 3. In , Lamborghini entered into talks with BMW Motorsport over the possible collaboration on a new supercar. Alas, talks broke down and the deal with BMW came to nothing. The plan was to build the Cheetah — a high-performance off-road vehicle with the ability to tackle the harshest terrain. But the project was far too ambitious for a small Italian firm. In truth, this was a period of turmoil for the company and it was facing a fight for survival. The Cheetah would re-emerge in the future.

The Espada disappeared in , swiftly followed by the Urraco and then, in , the Silhouette. In fact, all that remained was the Countach S, a car which carried the weight of the entire company on its shoulders. Bertone still believed in the company and in he presented the Athon concept. It was an entirely open car with no roof. But it never came to fruition and the company slid further towards bankruptcy and liquidation.

Unsurprisingly, there were plenty of potential buyers. Eventually, two brothers, Jean-Claude and Patrick Mimran, took over and set about resurrecting the ailing company. It also happened to be fitted onto a certain type of Lamborghini tractor.

This did not sit well with Lamborghini, the disgruntled Ferrari owner. During the discussion, Ferruccio Lamborghini had the bad idea to tell Enzo Ferrari, 'You build your beautiful cars with my tractor parts. We'll take a moment here for a dramatic pause and inhalation of breath since, as you well know, Balboni's story is not going to lead to a hearty laugh and a slap on the back from Il Commendatore, the notoriously proud Enzo Ferrari.

If fireworks are what you want, consider Ferrari's fuse well and truly lit by Lamborghini. Balboni continues:. You shouldn't complain driving my cars because they're the best cars in the world. Afghanistan President Sardar Mohammed Daoud is overthrown and murdered in a coup led by procommunist rebels. The brutal action marked the beginning of political upheaval in Afghanistan that resulted in intervention by Soviet troops less than two years later.

Daoud had ruled Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. World War II.