Lamborghini

The first Lamborghini production car – the 350 GT – appeared in 1964. Built by Italian manufacturer Ferrucio Lamborghini at a factory in the small commune Sant'Agata Bolognese, the 350 GT was hugely successful, and was quickly succeeded by the 400 GT and the 400 GT 2+2. In 1965, the Lamborghini brand became legendary with the release of the Lamborghini Miura. The Miura – named after the Spanish fighting bull – was hailed as a supercar and widely described as revolutionary. Automobili Lamborghini stunned the industry again in 1973 with the LP400 Countach, which showcased Lamborghini’s now iconic swing-up doors. A major setback came for Lamborghini in 1974 when a significant order of tractors was cancelled. The losses incurred over the cancellation, compounded by labor problems at the factory, led to the part sale and eventual takeover of the Lamborghini factory to Fiat. In 1978, Lamborghini was saved from bankruptcy by the Swiss Mimran Brothers, who oversaw the production of the LP500S and the QuattroValvole models, among others. Lamborghini continued to gather strength after Chrysler took control of the company in 1987. In 1990, the Lamborghini Diablo – the fastest car in the world at the time - was released in America to great acclaim. Despite impressive reviews, the Diablo was ultimately too expensive for the American market, and Chrysler was forced to sell the Lamborghini brand. Today, Lamborghini has found some stability under the ownership of German manufacturer Audi, most recently with the release of the Murciélago LP 670-4 SV and the Reventon Roadster.