Ferruccio Lamborghini, the man with the inspiration, skill and determination to turn a vision in to reality, was born in Renazzo, a village near Bologna, on 28th April 1916. His parents were farmers, but Ferruccio's interest was in technology and mechanics. After completing his technical studies in Bologna, his abilities were put to the test when he was put in charge of vehicle maintenance in Rhodes during World War II.
On his return to Italy, he started purchasing old military vehicles and converting them into tractors, meeting the significant demands in Italy after the war. His commercial success resulted in the purchase of a workshop in Cento where, from 1948 onward, Lamborghini tractors were produced. By 1959, Lamborghini was also producing burners and air conditioning units.
With some financial security, Ferruccio embarked on producing helicopters, one of his life-long ambitions, but when the Italian government refused to grant him a license, he made the decision to turn his attention to cars. The automotive world was never the same again.
Lamborghini 350 GT
Ferruccio Lamborghini opened a car factory in Sant' Agata in 1963, delivering the first Lamborghini, a 350 GT in 1964.
From then until 1972, the company grew at a steady rate, with the only limiting factor the launch of new cars which slowed down production capacity. However, in 1972, a combination of general world recession and the oil embargo saw a drastic sales reduction and Ferruccio was forced to sell 51% of the company to a Swiss businessman, Georges-Henri Rossetti. In 1974, he sold the remaining 49% shares to a friend of Rossetti, Rene Leimer. The new shareholders did not have day to day involvement in the company and were reluctant to invest, and Automobili Lamborghini struggled to meet financial demands.
1977 was a difficult year due to strategic mistakes, with Lamborghini over-investing in an off-road vehicle with no prospect of sales, as well as undervaluing a contract with BMW for the production of a small series of sporting cars, an agreement that was annulled by the German company in 1978. Lamborghini was unhappily forced into receivership by the Bologna court.
Fortunately the company was entrusted to Alessandro Artese, a Bolognese exert in commercial law, and a car enthusiast. Together with sales manager Sgarzi, and the help of technical director Giulio Alfieri, they managed to pull Lamborghini through a difficult time whilst searching for new shareholders.
The company never closed down, thanks to the determination of its employees, the passion and loyalty of its clients and the support of its distributor. In 1980. The Bologna Court sold the company to the Mimran brothers, food industry tycoons whose passion for cars was well known, and who started investment in plant, new products and the search for a skilled workforce.
By 1986 Lamborghini had taken off again, with the symbol of a charging bull established and recognised world-wide. The growth was, in fact, so fast and demanding on capital expenditure that a corporate partner was needed to support the private individuals, and Chrysler came on board. So attracted was Chrysler to the motivated management, new products, skilled workforce and the appeal of the marque, that it asked the Mimran family for total share capital. An agreement was signed in Sant' Agata on 23 April 1987 in the presence of the entire Lamborghini workforce.
Lamborghini Countach
Emile Novaro was appointed as president of Lamborghini. Funds were injected to increase production and on 7 May 1990, the Countach ceased production after 19 years and 1,997 cars produced, giving way to the new Diablo model. Both production and sales reached a peak in 1991.
However, another world-wide recession was approaching. All automobile manufacturers were struggling and as the recession took hold, the 'dream car' market saw a significant fall in sales in 1992 before a slow recovery started during 1993 and 1994. However, the crisis again motivated Lamborghini into reorganising and diversifying through new experimental projects such as an electric vehicle for urban transportation, third-party mechanical machining and marine engine development and production.
In 1993, the new Diablo VT was introduced, together with a Diablo special edition in September to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the company's foundation. And yet, the company's ownership was still not settled; in January 1994 Chrysler Corporation agreed to sell Automobili Lamborghini to MegaTech, part of the Indonesian group Sedtco. Yet even as Lamborghini won, for the first time, the Class 1 world off-shore power boat championship in 1994, its shareholding changed again, and in 1995, 60% of its shareholding was controlled by an Indonesian company V-Power, and 40% by Malaysian Company Mycom.
Finally, on the 24 July 1998, an agreement between the shareholders of Lamborghini and Audi was signed in London, for a complete take-over of the company. Finally, The House of the Bull has a strong owner, widely respected in the automotive world for its technical competence and commercial success. Rodolfo Rocchio, an Italian engineer with many years experience within the Audi group was appointed co-CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, and in January the company was restructured into three divisions.
Today Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A, under president Franz-Josef Paefgen, has control of three separate companies: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A producing cars, Motori Marini Lamborghini S.p.A producing marine engines, and Lamborghini Artimarca S.p.A, managing licensing and merchandising. Giuseppe Greco, with experience from Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari has been appointed president of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A and co-CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
In January 2000, the Diablo 6.0 was launched, the first Lamborghini with a V12 6 litre engine and carbon fibre body.
Lamborghini Diablo 6.0
In September 2001 the Murciélago is launched, to the world's press in Sicily and to customers at the factory in Sant' Agata.
Named after a famous bull, which in 1879 was spared his life by a famous matador, Lamborghini continues its tradition of naming its cars after the world of the corrida. Following the tradition of Lamborghini sports cars, Murciélago builds on its design and engineering heritage with new levels of quality, luxury and safety. Providing 570bhp, top-speed glory of over 200mph, and the inspiration of 0-62mph acceleration in less than four seconds, Murciélago has taken pole position in the race for the ultimate performance car.
Summary of Lamborghini production
1963 First Lamborghini prototype, the 350 GTV debuts at the Turin Motor Show.
1964 The 350 GT, a refinement of the original prototype, debuts at the Geneva Motor Show.
1966 the 400 GT is produced as a derivative of the 350 GT, with a four seater 2+2 derivative also available.
1968 the Islero 400 GT is launched, as well as the Espada four seater.
1969 Improved version of Islero 400 GT, tagged Islero S or GTS.
1970 The Miura P400S, upgraded version of the P400, is launched. In addition, the successor to the 400 2+2, the Jarama 400 GT is produced.
1971 A second revision to the original Miura P400 prototype of 1966, the P400 SV is launched. An all-new competition-inspired sports car prototype, the Countach LP500 is launched at Geneva Motor Show.
1972 Lamborghini unveils the Urraco P250 at the Turin Motor Show. The revised Jarama IS is referred to as the Jarama GTS, and is the last front-engined Lamborghini sports car. The first Countach LP400 prototype is shown at the Geneva Motor Show.
1973 The second Countach LP400 prototype is shown at the Paris Motor Show.
1974 The Countach LP400 production car debuts at the Geneva Motor Show.
1975 A replacement for the P250, the Urraco 300 was introduced.
1976 The Silhouette, a new vehicle based on the Urraco, is introduced at the Geneva Motor Show.
1977 Lamborghini produces the Cheetah, destined for the military market but adapted for civilians due to greater public interest.
1978 The LP400S changes its tyres and suspension.
1981 The LM001 goes into production as a follow-up to the Cheetah, with the option of a V12 4.7 litre Countach engine or Chrysler 360 cc V8.
1982 The Countach LP500S is launched, with new 5.0 litre engine. The new two seater Jalpa is produced with V8 engine. The LMA prototype is produced from the previous LM001 design, able to carry extra people, and designated the LM002 in anticipation of a pr
1985 The Countach receives its third major revision and is rechristened the LP500S QV, after its Quattrovalvole, four valves per cylinder, engine.
1988 Lamborghini celebrates its 25th anniversary as a manufacturer of exotic sports cars and introduces the last edition of the Countach - the 25th Anniversary edition.
1990 Lamborghini launches the Diablo; at 202 miles per hour the fastest production car in the world.
1992 The open top version of the Diablo, the Roadster, is presented at the Geneva Motor Show.
1993 The year of the VT: the Diablo VT 4WD is launched at Geneva Motor Show, with the Diablo special edition introduced to the public at the factory, with production limited to 150 units to be built during 94/95.
1994 Lamborghini presents a new gearbox for the marine racing engine, and wins the season's off-shore Class 1 Championship.
1995 A cherry red Diablo Roadster VT with fuscia pink interior is shown at the Bologna Motor Show, and production of the Roadster takes off.
1996 The Diablo SV (Sport Veloce) is launched, a simplified and more sporty version of the Diablo inspired by the Miura SV. The Diablo SVR is also presented, to compete in the Lamborghini monomarque championship. The championship takes off with 26 Diablo SVRs lined up at European circuits.
1998 The '99 model year Diablo is presented at the Paris Motor Show, with major engine improvements.
1999 The Diablo GT, a high performance version of the current Diablo, is launched at Geneva Motor Show, to be produced in a limited edition of 80 units. The Diablo GTR is shown at the Bologna Motor Show, derived from the Diablo GT and destined for racing purposes only.
2000 The Diablo for the new millennium is presented at the Detroit Motor Show. The Diablo 6.0 adopts a 6.0 litre and V12 engine, with a power increase to 550bhp and a body mainly constructed from carbon fibre.
