1966 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2

Following the success of the two-seater 350GT, Lamborghini introduced a more refined GT car at the 1966 Geneva Auto Show. It was powered by a 3929cc four-liter version of the V12 engine designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and Gian Paolo Dallara and mated to a new gearbox aimed at replacing the prior ZF units. The first 400 GT, commonly referred to as simply the 400 GT or 400 GT Interim, was essentially the 350 GT but with an enlarged, 3,929cc V12 engine. Lamborghini built twenty-three of these cars along with three that wore aluminum coachwork.

A slight reshaping of the body by Touring increased the interior room, making the car into a proper '2+2', while retaining the shape of the original two-seater. The bodies were now formed from steel rather than aluminum. Though this increased the weight of the vehicle by 400 pounds, the V12 engine was enlarged earning an additional 40 horsepower.

The 400 GT 2+2 was introduced in 1966 at the Geneva Auto Show. Its wheelbase measured 100.4-inches, had a length of 176-inches, and a height of 49.5-inches. It had a Lamborghini-designed gearbox, with Porsche-style synchromesh on all gears, and rode on Pirelli Cinturato 205VR15 tires.

This would be the last major project performed by Carrozzeria Touring, as they ceased operation in 1968 and went into receivership. Production of the 400 GT 2+2 would end in 1968, with just 247 examples created. 23 of those were the 400 GT Interim and 224 were the 400 GT 2+2. The 400 GT 2+2 was replaced in 1968 with the Islero which continued to rest on the 100.4-inch wheelbase. Its all-aluminum alloy V-12 engine developed 280 horsepower and 325 Nm of torque, less than the 320 bhp and 375 Nm of the 400 GT 2+2.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2019