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| Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Spyder Conversion 1966 |
Ferruccio Lamborghini moved from producing tractors and air conditioners to grand touring cars after allegedly having an argument with Enzo Ferrari regarding his own 250 GT, and his automobiles quickly proved to be quite competitive against its intended rival. The marque’s first prototype, the 350 GTV, was unveiled at the Turin Auto Show in November 1963 to great acclaim, and it showed Ferruccio that his vehicles could be successful if they were to be produced. The production 350 GT, which was introduced at Geneva the following year, retained the show car’s design and handedly backed up its stellar looks with exceptional performance. The design was styled by Carrozzeria Touring, of Milan, and it was still elegant, but it was also characteristically different from the vehicles that Pininfarina styled for Ferrari. It boasted a top speed of 150 mph and could easily be capable of crossing large stretches of the autostrada with ease, thanks to exceptional engineering from legendary automotive engineer Giotto Bizzarrini. The car quickly garnered rave reviews from all who drove it, as it combined excellent power, handling, looks, and enough luggage space for a couple for a weekend getaway.
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| Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Spyder Conversion 1966 |
Nineteen sixty-six brought about the advent of the 400 GT 2+2. The 400 GT 2+2 retained the same style of its predecessor, but virtually every panel had been revised, with the most noticeable change to the exterior being the four headlamps. Inside, engineers created more interior room for passengers by lowering the floor pan and raising the roof, as well as revising both the front and rear suspension. Undoubtedly, the most notable change was that the front-mounted V-12 was enlarged from 3.5 liters to 4.0, raising horsepower to a more than respectable 320. When mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the powertrain proved tractable enough to be driven in anger or for a leisurely cruise to the coast. Just 247 examples would be produced over two years’ time.
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| Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Spyder Conversion 1966 |
This 1966 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Spyder, wearing production number 18, was born as a coupe and finished in Grigio Argento over a Nero leather interior. It was delivered to Lambrocar, the official Lamborghini dealer in Milan, Italy, in July 1966, and from there, it was subsequently delivered to its first owner, Dr. Mariano Delle Piane. In the early 1990s, the car was owned by a Peter Wolofsky, of Hallandale, Florida. It is believed that restorer Jerry Fandytis’ work was carried out during Wolofsky’s ownership, making it one of just two 400 GTs converted by him. During the car’s conversion into a spyder, it received a minor restoration, which included the exterior being painted in its current silver-blue metallic, the interior being retrimmed in light grey, and the car being fitted with new wire wheels. After the conversion was completed, Wolofsky later sold it to the Auto Toy Store, of Fort Lauderdale, towards the end of 1993.
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| Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Spyder Conversion 1966 |
This 400 GT Spyder was purchased by Bob Pond from the Auto Toy Store in May 1994, along with a trio of other Italian cars and one British car, the 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO,1989 Lamborghini Countach, 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV, and 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible.
As the 400 GT was already a wonderful touring car, many believed that all it needed was a convertible top, and if one could have been produced by the factory, it could have been a very successful model. As one of two spyders produced by Fandytis, it goes without saying that this model is exceptionally rare, even within the scope of 400 GT production. In spite of the modification, this Lamborghini certainly retains all of its charm. The interior shows few signs of use, and the silver-blue paint remains in splendid condition. Even though this 400 GT is not as outrageously styled as the marque’s later models, it wild still undoubtedly turn heads wherever it travels.
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