The History Of Lamborghini

Learn about the history of the Italian supercar company maker, Lamborghini, founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963.

Lamborghini was founded o n 1963 by Ferruccio Lamborghini, who after serving the Italian army started his company of manufacturing tractors. Before the magnanimity of his success, he started with a car and motorcycle repair shop, after returning from the armed forces where he served as part of the mechanical corps. His tractor business grew in abundance and in 1960 he began making air conditioners and heaters for buildings. His success was commemorated in Santa Agata Bolognese, Italy, where the headquarters of Lamborghini stands ‘till present. His inspiration to build high-speed and high powered vehicle was prompted and provoked when he met Enzo Ferrari.

Ferruccio complained to Enzo about the clutch of his Ferrari car. His complain was replied by telling him that "the problem is not with the car but with driver"... and was advised to look after his tractors instead. Disappointed and resentful, he dismounted the transmission of his Ferrari car and found out that transmission used were the same transmission being used in his tractors. Then encouraged Ferruccio Lamborghini combined the talents of Giotto Bizzarini, Franco Scaglione, and Gian Paolo Dallara, who previously worked with Enzo Ferrari. Upon his invitation they have created the rival of the Ferrari, the Automobili Lamborghini. Quite a very interesting Lamborghini history; the very first Lamborghini was the prototype GTV and the very first car production was the Lamborghini 350GT. It contained all functions and parts that a Ferrari was inferior of.

You might notice that a Lamborghini supercar is less popular compared to other sports car in the race track, this is because of the "no racing" policy of the founder itself that is in contrast to his rival’s reason where the main purpose of the Ferraris production was to generate revenue to sustain motor racing participation and events. This resulted to the development of Lamborghini model, Muira; a car with a mid engine that has the potential for racing, which was designed and engineered by his ex-Ferrari colleagues who are race-enthusiasts and are against the "no racing" policy of Ferruccio.

Ferruccio Lamborghini was born on 28th April 1916, under the Taurus Zodiac sign, thus the crest of the company was taken after. Almost all Lamborghini models, past and present were named in relation to bull fighting or the famously bred bull in Italy. Muira, after Don Eduardo Muira, who was a bullfighting breeder; Islero, was after a bull that killed famous matador, Manolete; Espada, which means sword, a weapon of a matador; Jarama of Lamborghini Jarama, was either taken from the popular area for bullfighting and or the racing circuit; however, the Countach, which means "wolf whistle" in Italian was the first Lamborghini to break the traditional relation of names in the Lamborghini line. Again, after which, the tradition was rectified with Diablo, which was a famous fighting bull; Murcielago, which was one of the bulls of the Muira breed; Gallardo, another famous bull in the Muira breed; and the Reventon, the name of the famous bull that killed matador Felix Guzman.

By Joe Hayes

The History of Ferrari

Learn the history of the Itialian supercar manufacturer Ferrari, from it's humble beginnings in the early 1900's.

On February 18, 1898 – Enzo Ferrari was born, near Modena, Italy. When he reached the age of 10, his father brought him to Bologna to witness an automobile race. Finally, after attending many other races, Enzo Ferrari made up his mind to become a racing car driver. This was the beginning of Ferrari history.

As it turned out, he did become one, taking up racing while working at a small car company that was involved with converting the surplus of war. In 1919 he entered the Targa Floria and finished at the ninth place. This got him a job with Alfa Romeo and joined the 1920 Targa Floria, driving a modified production car. This time, Enzo Ferrari finished second.

While racing at the Circuit of Sivocci in Ravenna in 1923, Enzo Ferrari was approached by Count Enrico and Countess Paolina Baracca, parents of Francesco Baracca – the heroic Italian pilot. Francesco Baracca was known of as the Italian ace of aces. During the war, he died on Mount Montello. He had a squadron badge, which had a prancing horse on a yellow shield. This badge was given to Enzo Ferrari by the count and countess. The Ferrari history continues on.

For many years, Enzo Ferrari was with Alfa Romeo; however, there were only a few cars he built, bearing his name and the design of the badge given to him by Francesco Baracca’s parents. In 1929, Enzo Ferrari kept himself busy forming and organizing the Scuderia Ferrari, which had the goal of organing races for the members. The Scuderia Ferrari team entered in 22 competitions and bagged 8 victories along with many good placings.

By 1940, Enzo Ferrari parted ways with Alfa Romeo and put up a new company he named Auto-Avio Costruzioni Ferrari. The Ferrari workshop moved from Modena to Maranello during the Second World War. Ferrari’s workshop fell victim to the war in 1944 – completely annihilated by bombs. Rebuilding of the shop was done a year after the war in 1946, and this was when the first Ferrari motorcar was worked on: the 125 Sport.

This car brought Ferrari many winnings, that winning became a tradition. It was in 1947 that the first Ferrari car ever competed in a race; and since then, Ferrari has had more than five thousand race track successes all around the world. Fifty percent of the Ferrari’s share capital was sold by Enzo Ferrari to the Fiat group in 1969. By 1988, the figure was raised to 90%.

Enzo Ferrari was 90 when he died, August 14 1988, in Modena, Italy.

By Joe Hayes