Despite the pandemic and the resultant lull in automotive activities, Lamborghini closed out 2020 with a six-month sales record. This means that the company is currently enjoying awesome patronage, and with the current lineup of exquisitely built cars such as the Huracan, Urus, and Aventador as well as the amazing futuristic technology deployed into their features, it’s easy to understand the world’s fascination with the brand.
Although some wild Lamborghini concepts keep us wondering what incredible fabrication prowess is inherent in the iconic Italian company, however, the production versions have equally blown our minds. Lamborghini has quite a rich history, but a lot of the company’s details seem to have been lost in time. Hence, from past ownerships to forgotten models and more, here are some details about Lamborghini no one seems to remember.
10 Founder
In 1963, Italian industrialist Ferruccio Lamborghini founded Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini S.p.A to compete with high-end automotive brands like the Ferrari. Born in 1916 to an Italian farming parent, Ferruccio Lamborghini had a massive interest in mechanical activities even at a relatively young age, leading him to start a tractor manufacturing company called Lamborghini Trattori in 1948.
Notably, the Automobili Lamborghini was the third company started by Ferruccio as he had also created an oil burner factory in 1959.
9 Bankruptcy
Although the Lamborghini is currently enjoying awesome patronage, it’s had its fair share of financial woes in the past. Having earlier sold 51% of the company to Georges-Henri Rossetti due to dwindling financial fortunes, company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini retained control of Automobili’s affairs as Rossetti was rarely involved.
However, the 1973 oil crisis further compounded the company’s miseries and a disenchanted Ferruccio Lamborghini sold his remaining stake to Rene Leimer and retired in 1974. In 1978, the company went bankrupt.
8 Patrick Mimran
Lamborghini’s existence as an automotive company technically ended when it was declared bankrupt in 1978. The Italian courts took over and Swiss brothers Jean-Claude and Patrick Mimran were appointed to head the company during a period of receivership. Lamborghini had some product upgrades and Patrick Mimran officially became CEO in 1980.
Remarkably, under Mimran’s stewardship, the company underwent a comprehensive restructuring program which steered it back to profitability – these include the expansion of the Countach to include the LM002 off-road truck and Jalpa sports car.
7 Ownerships
After it was founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini, the Lamborghini car company was subsequently sold and has been controlled by several executives. Notably, Georges-Henri Rossetti and Rene Leimer took reigns of the company from Ferruccio in 1974 following the 1973 oil crisis that disillusioned the founder.
Subsequently, Lamborghini’s bankruptcy led to brothers Jean-Claude and Patrick Mimran taking over the company through receivership. The company was also owned by Chrysler and Mycom Setdco before it was acquired by Volkswagen Group in 1998 which place it under Audi’s division.
6 Chrysler’s Reign
In 1987, Lee Iacocca who was the then Chrysler’s chairman led Chrysler Corporation in the acquisition of the Automobili Lamborghini for a sum of $25.2 million. Iacocca’s decision to buy over Lamborghini was met with no restraints as he had earlier navigated Chrysler out of financial troubles.
For its revival, the parent company injected cash of $50 million into Lamborghini’s operations. However, in 1992, Lamborghini’s sales crashed leading Chrysler to sell off the company to MegaTech in 1994.
5 Miura
Although Ferruccio Lamborghini had founded the company in 1963 to build exotic grand touring cars to compete with the likes of the Ferrari, the company’s first major success came when it produced the 1966 Miura – a mid-engine sports car.
The Miura’s prototype was built by three top Lamborghini engineers, namely Gian Paolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani, and Bob Wallace without Ferruccio’s consent. Following the prototype’s favorable reception at Geneva, the company put it into production.
4 Cheetah
Lamborghini’s first attempt at building off-road automobiles was a vehicle named the Cheetah. The contract for the production of Cheetah originated from the United States military – that needed a newly designed all-terrain vehicle in its fleet.
The Cheetah is powered by a waterproof rear-mounted 5.9 liter Chrysler engine which produces 180 bhp and is mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. However, the Lamborghini Cheetah project failed due to its chronically poor handling characteristics.
3 Lamborghini Truck
After the failure of the Cheetah, Lamborghini continued the quest for a production truck with the LM001, which also failed after the prototype was produced due to unfavorable handling. However, the company eventually recorded its first successful production truck in 1986 with the LM002, also known as the Lamborghini truck or Rambo Lambo.
The vehicle was built on a new chassis with its engine moved to the front. Notably, LM002 made its first appearance at the Brussels Auto Show.
2 Motorsports
Unlike his automobile fabrication rival Enzo Ferrari, Ferruccio Lamborghini was never interested in motor racing, opining that the sport was too expensive and financially draining. He also made it clear that the sporty and relatively successful mid-engine Miura will not be raced.
However, after the company was sold, Lamborghini had some stint at the racing sphere by supplying engines to Formula One teams such as Lotus, Minardi, and Modena. Also, the Murcielago R-GT was produced for racing in 2004 but failed to impress.
1 Tecnomar For Lamborghini 63
Lamborghini is into yacht production. Called the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63, this yacht is a joint project between Automobili Lamborghini and a yacht building company called The Italian Sea Group. The limited-edition yacht’s design is inspired by the Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 hypercar and derived its name from 1963 – the year Lamborghini was founded.
Also, The Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is priced at about $3.4 million, and only 63 units of the watercraft to be produced.