Print this page
By Janette Vince
Lamborghini is known worldwide for its high-performance sports cars. Based in a small village outside of Bologna, Italy, the company was founded by Italian businessman Feruccio Lamborghini.
Before he got into sports cars, Lamborghini owned a tractor factory. According to the story told by his son, Lamborghini was unhappy with the clutch in his Ferrari 250 GT, and went to Enzo Ferrari with a complaint. Ferrari sent Lamborghini away, saying he should stick to driving tractors, since he couldn't drive cars.
When Lamborghini got home, he dismantled his Ferrari's clutch and realized it was manufactured by the same company that manufactured the clutches he used in his tractors. He fixed the problem using a spare part from his own factory.
Whether or not the story happened exactly as told, it's clear that Lamborghini started his company because he was sure he could beat the competition. He started the Lamborghini Automobili company in 1963, with the Lamborghini 350 GT. The company sold over 130 models after displaying the prototype at the Turin Auto Show in 1963. Lamborghini followed up with the 400 GT and the 400 GT 2+2 in following years. In 1965, Lamborghini produced the legendary Miura-which elevated the company's name to the heights of Ferrari and Maserati.
Although the cars were soon selling worldwide, the car factory was not completely self-sufficient yet. Lamborghini maintained his successful tractor business for many years after he began producing sports cars. In 1974, however, the company received a setback. Earlier, a South American company had put in an order so large that Lamborghini had to upgrade the tractor factory in order to meet it. After he spent a great deal of money upgrading the factory, the client canceled the order.
Lamborghini decided to sell off the tractor company and focus on cars. For a while, the company survived mostly on the sale of the popular Miura. Once the company started doing well, Lamborghini sold the business to a Swiss investor and retired. His name, however, remained with the company.
Lamborghini has experienced its share of ups and downs since then. It declared bankruptcy shortly after the founder retired, and it was bought and sold many times. It passed through the hands of Swiss, American, and Indonesian interests over the years, and today it's owned by the German company Audi.
If you've ever seen a Lamborghini, you can probably understand the appeal of these distinctive cars. Most Lamborghinis are aggressive-looking, hugging the ground like a panther about to strike. Many models have doors that lift vertically instead of opening outward-a unique look invented by the brand. They're immediately recognizable, and you're sure to turn heads while you're on the road in one.
As for driving a Lamborghini, there are many different models to choose from. They all have one thing in common, however: speed. A typical Lamborghini can accelerate quickly enough to press you into your seat and drop your stomach to the floor. The low stance of the car increases its aerodynamic qualities, and its big tyres dig into the tarmac.
The qualities that make it the perfect performance car, however, also have some drawbacks. Many Lamborghini models have a low undercarriage, making damage to the underside a danger. Don't expect a lot of interior space or storage, either. Practicality is generally sacrificed for performance. This is clearly not the type of car you'd use to help your friend move or go to the supermarket.
While driving a Lamborghini is close to driving a true F-1 race car, you don't need any special training to do it. The cost to buy one is prohibitive for many, but you can still experience the thrill of driving one through a company that offers driving experience days. Many driving experiences take place on race tracks, where you'll get the opportunity to explore the car's acceleration, performance through turns, and more in a safe environment.
If you're looking for an unforgettable driving experience, you won't find anything like a Lamborghini. Their pure speed and power will give any driver a thrill, whether on the highway or the race track. If an opportunity to drive one comes your way, don't hesitate to take it. It's sure to give you a ride you'll never forget.
Lamborghini is known worldwide for its high-performance sports cars. Based in a small village outside of Bologna, Italy, the company was founded by Italian businessman Feruccio Lamborghini.
Before he got into sports cars, Lamborghini owned a tractor factory. According to the story told by his son, Lamborghini was unhappy with the clutch in his Ferrari 250 GT, and went to Enzo Ferrari with a complaint. Ferrari sent Lamborghini away, saying he should stick to driving tractors, since he couldn't drive cars.
When Lamborghini got home, he dismantled his Ferrari's clutch and realized it was manufactured by the same company that manufactured the clutches he used in his tractors. He fixed the problem using a spare part from his own factory.
Whether or not the story happened exactly as told, it's clear that Lamborghini started his company because he was sure he could beat the competition. He started the Lamborghini Automobili company in 1963, with the Lamborghini 350 GT. The company sold over 130 models after displaying the prototype at the Turin Auto Show in 1963. Lamborghini followed up with the 400 GT and the 400 GT 2+2 in following years. In 1965, Lamborghini produced the legendary Miura-which elevated the company's name to the heights of Ferrari and Maserati.
Although the cars were soon selling worldwide, the car factory was not completely self-sufficient yet. Lamborghini maintained his successful tractor business for many years after he began producing sports cars. In 1974, however, the company received a setback. Earlier, a South American company had put in an order so large that Lamborghini had to upgrade the tractor factory in order to meet it. After he spent a great deal of money upgrading the factory, the client canceled the order.
Lamborghini decided to sell off the tractor company and focus on cars. For a while, the company survived mostly on the sale of the popular Miura. Once the company started doing well, Lamborghini sold the business to a Swiss investor and retired. His name, however, remained with the company.
Lamborghini has experienced its share of ups and downs since then. It declared bankruptcy shortly after the founder retired, and it was bought and sold many times. It passed through the hands of Swiss, American, and Indonesian interests over the years, and today it's owned by the German company Audi.
If you've ever seen a Lamborghini, you can probably understand the appeal of these distinctive cars. Most Lamborghinis are aggressive-looking, hugging the ground like a panther about to strike. Many models have doors that lift vertically instead of opening outward-a unique look invented by the brand. They're immediately recognizable, and you're sure to turn heads while you're on the road in one.
As for driving a Lamborghini, there are many different models to choose from. They all have one thing in common, however: speed. A typical Lamborghini can accelerate quickly enough to press you into your seat and drop your stomach to the floor. The low stance of the car increases its aerodynamic qualities, and its big tyres dig into the tarmac.
The qualities that make it the perfect performance car, however, also have some drawbacks. Many Lamborghini models have a low undercarriage, making damage to the underside a danger. Don't expect a lot of interior space or storage, either. Practicality is generally sacrificed for performance. This is clearly not the type of car you'd use to help your friend move or go to the supermarket.
While driving a Lamborghini is close to driving a true F-1 race car, you don't need any special training to do it. The cost to buy one is prohibitive for many, but you can still experience the thrill of driving one through a company that offers driving experience days. Many driving experiences take place on race tracks, where you'll get the opportunity to explore the car's acceleration, performance through turns, and more in a safe environment.
If you're looking for an unforgettable driving experience, you won't find anything like a Lamborghini. Their pure speed and power will give any driver a thrill, whether on the highway or the race track. If an opportunity to drive one comes your way, don't hesitate to take it. It's sure to give you a ride you'll never forget.
