Lamborghini Celebrating its 50th Anniversary Year in Style

The Italian luxury sports car maker, Lamborghini is celebrating its 50th year in 2013, for which it has planned a series of events to take place throughout the year. The company presented an extremely exclusive model of Lamborghini Veneno, of which three units will only be built and sold. The company is participating in the annual Techno Classica fair at Essen, where Lamborghini will be showing two of its supercars that have made automotive history, at pavilion 7.

Introduced in 1964, the 350 GT was the first mass-produced Lamborghini, while the 1972 P 400 Miura SV was the final evolution of the legendary Miura - the first super sports car with a modern design. Both vehicles on display were taken from the extensive collection of historic cars in the Lamborghini Museum at the company’s headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy. An expert on replacement parts for classic cars will also be at the stand to provide information on original spare parts for early Lamborghini models.

The Lamborghini 350 GT

Characterized by its balanced lines and developed by Franco Scaglione from prototypes of the 350 GTV, the 1964 350 GT was the first Lamborghini to be mass-produced. With its 3.5 liter, 12 cylinder engine perfected by engineer Giotto Bizzarrini and rated at 280 hp, it could reach a maximum speed of 250 km/h. The vehicle body featured aluminum components, four-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes on all four wheels. And, some models were equipped with a self-locking differential. By the end of 1966, 120 of these remarkable vehicles had been produced at Carrozzeria Touring. The final versions featured a 4 liter engine with the same power as the 3.5 liter power plant, but with greater torque. Carrozzeria Touring also produced two Spyders (350 GTS).

The Lamborghini Miura P 400 SV

Steady demand for the Miura S prompted Lamborghini to introduce a more advanced version called the SV (Super Veloce). This occurred during development of the subsequent, revolutionary model called the Countach LP 500, which made its worldwide debut in the spring of 1971. The Miura P 400 SV was equipped with a 4 liter, 385 HP V12 engine and attained a maximum speed of over 290 kmh.

Although it lacked the signature “eyebrows” over the headlamps, the SV stood out for its new rear suspension, wider track and more powerful engine. And unlike previous models, it was equipped with separate lubrication. The last Miura produced in January 1973 was purchased by a famous Italian industrialist. 150 of these remarkable cars were built from 1971 to 1972.

Lamborghini’s 50th Anniversary

In 2013, Automobili Lamborghini is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding with a series of international events involving customers, dealers and fans of the marque. The festivities will hit their high point with the “Lamborghini 50th Anniversary Grande Giro".

On May 7-11, 2013, more than 300 Lamborghinis from every period in the company's history will travel 1200 kilometers along the Italian peninsula. On the first leg, Lamborghini owners from 29 countries will journey from Milan to Forte dei Marmi. Next, they will continue on to Rome, and finally return to Bologna on May 10. On May 11, a Concours d’Elegance will be held in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, and all participants will then parade to Sant’Agata Bolognese, where Lamborghini 50th celebrations will culminate in a festive gala dinner.