The legendary sports car manufacturer Lamborghini has a history as dramatic as its designs, marked by passionate rivalries and frequent changes in ownership. The company’s origin story famously revolves around founder Ferruccio Lamborghini’s frustration with his Ferrari’s clutch. When he confronted Enzo Ferrari, he was allegedly dismissed: “You are a tractor driver… You shouldn’t complain driving my cars because they’re the best cars in the world.” Ferruccio’s determined response, “I’ll show you how to make a sports car,” set the stage for a new automotive icon.
به گزارش پایگاه اطلاع رسانی جاده مخصوص, Ferruccio hired Ferrari’s former engineer, Giotto Bizzarrini, to create a V12 engine, leading to early models like the 350GT. However, it was the revolutionary Miura that cemented Lamborghini’s place in the supercar world. Despite this success, labor issues led Ferruccio to sell a majority stake to Swiss businessman Georges-Henri Rosetti in 1972, and the remainder shortly after to Rene Leimer.
The new owners, lacking automotive experience, struggled to navigate the 1973 energy crisis. The period was fraught with challenges, including a failed partnership with BMW to build the M1 supercar and a lawsuit over the design of the Cheetah, a military off-roader prototype. These setbacks pushed the company to the brink of collapse.
One bright spot during this era was the iconic, Gandini-designed 1974 Countach, which became the definitive poster car for a generation. Yet, even this masterpiece couldn’t prevent financial disaster. In 1978, the Italian government placed Lamborghini into receivership, a form of bankruptcy protection.
به گزارش جاده مخصوص, the company was saved in 1980 by French businessmen Patrick and Jean-Claude Mimran. Their leadership stabilized the firm, paving the way for its acquisition by Chrysler in 1987. Under Chrysler’s ownership, Lamborghini received significant support to develop the Diablo, the successor to the legendary Countach. What are your thoughts on this iconic brand’s journey? Share them in the comments.