Boys of all ages have always been spellbound by Lamborghinis. If they are not one of the fortunate few that have the privilege of owning one, they can at least dream. There is no doubt that pulling up in a Lamborghini is bound to turns heads, and not just the men’s.
From humble beginnings in 1963, the then 47-year-old Ferruccio Lamborghini started making what went on to be one of the most sought after cars in history. This happens today, as it did back then, in a small Italian village called Sant’Agata Bolognese close to Bologna.
We have seen them roar past us on the motorway or proudly parked outside a fancy hotel or restaurant and we hear the guttural purr if they are next us, briefly, at the traffic light. How much do we really know about this famous make of dream car? Let’s look at a few interesting facts you might not be aware of.
1. Lamborghini Started Out in the Tractor Business
It seems hard to believe but before making the legendary supercars, Lamborghini initially manufactured tractors. The company, Lamborghini Trattori is still going to this day.
2. Ferrari Clutch Issues Lead to the Development of the Lamborghini Supercars
Ferruccio Lamborghini was a fan of Ferraris and purchased a few with profits from his tractor business. He found them to be too noisy and when he started having clutch issues, he decided to start work on his own sports car design that would live up to his high standards.
3. The First Lamborghini to be Launched Had No Engine
When Lamborghini launched their first model, the 350 GTV, the engine was not ready. The launch was at the Turin Auto Show. To overcome this, they simply filled the engine space with bricks and kept the hood closed at all times.
4. Countach Is Considered a Vulgar Word
There is some debate as to its exact meaning but as the story goes, when head of the Bertone design team first saw what was the new flagship Lamborghini, he loudly exclaimed “Countach!”. This is said to mean something along the lines of Holy Sh*t to a somewhat vulgar description given to an attractive female.
5. Championship Winning Powerboat Engines
Motori Marini Lamborghini manufacture engines for some of the fastest powerboats ever made. They have won many championships over the years.
6. SUV with a Powerboat Engine
A while back, Lamborghini made a SUV with a powerboat engine made by Motori Marini Lamborghini. Although the LM002 normally came with a Countach V12 engine, one was built with the powerboat motor. When Sylvester Stallone drove one, it was soon nicknamed the Rambo Lambo.
7. Police Driving Lamborghinis
Lamborghinis have been donated to the Italian police. They are used mostly to transport human organs. Dubai police have also used Lamborghinis.
8. Insect Inspires Lamborghini Design
Nature has often been the inspiration for inventions and designs. Amazingly, an insect was used as the inspiration behind the design of the Lamborghini Aventador.
To quote Filippo Perini, design director at Lamborghini, he based his design on “those shiny green jagged-leg beetles that smell bad when you step on them”.
9. Race a Lamborghini
If you have $30 000 to spare, Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo series will give you the opportunity to race a Lamborghini.
If that is a bit out of your league, you can still get a safe, smart and reliable ride from a car rental company.
10. Take A Tour of the Lamborghini Museum Online
Thanks to the technology of Google Maps, you can now tour the Lamborghini Museum from the comfort of your own home.
Next time you see a Lamborghini flying past you, at least you will a few interesting facts about them to discuss with your mate, unless you are the lucky one behind the wheel of one of these beautiful vehicles yourself.
Photo by josemiguels, CC0 1.0