That time Ferrari insulted Lamborghini

There is perhaps nothing more iconic and luxurious than the prancing horse badge of a Torino Red Ferrari 458 Italia. These vehicles are so well established within the cultural zeitgeist that they need no explanation. From young boys receiving their first model Testa Rossa to the auspicious day, they choose the stitching for their leather seats in picturesque Modena. A Ferrari is the sort of possession that can take a lifetime to achieve, and as such, stays synonymous with prestige.

It may have been the case that they could have remained THE iconic Italian supercar brand had it not been for founder Enzo Ferrari's stubborn pride. 

Enter Ferruccio Lamborghini

Born into a family of grape farmers in 1916, Ferruccio Lamborghini did not quite share the same passion for farming as his Perugian parents and was instead fascinated by mechanical engineering and design. 

After serving in the Italian Air Force during WW2, Lamborghini utilised his savant-like talent with anything mechanical to cobble together his first tractor. Built to help his father on the family farm, the tractor was created using whatever spare parts he could find. Soon his father's friends wanted one too and thus Lamborghini started his first business building and selling tractors in 1949.

Lamborghini built his tractors using repurposed military vehicles and converted them for agricultural uses. Eventually, he branched out into making air conditioners and gas heaters which ultimately led to an extremely profitable career.

When an immovable object meets an unstoppable force.

"You are a tractor driver, you are a farmer. You shouldn't complain about driving my cars because they're the best cars in the world."  - Enzo Ferrari (apparently)

Like most successful businessmen, Lamborghini had his fair share of high-end sports cars. Each of which his mechanically structured mind would find some annoyance or fault with. When the clutch of his Ferrari 250GT finally gave out, he opted to repair it himself using one of his own tractor clutches.

After discovering that there was little difference between his tractor's clutch and that of a high-end sports car, Ferruccio made the fateful decision to meet with the man himself to give advice on how to perfect this particular Ferrari model. As you can probably guess, Enzo Ferrari was an established figure and brand all built into one. There is a level of respect granted to anyone he deemed worthy of taking the time to meet with. Especially if it was about his cars.

To this day, it still remains unclear what exactly transpired at that meeting between these two titans in the motor industry. But from what was recalled of the day, it was quite the showcase of clashing egos. Reportedly, the owner of the most iconic sports car brand wasn't impressed by hearing about his car's imperfections from a tractor mechanic and thus promptly told him to stick to building farming equipment.

Most people might have come away from such a meeting feeling disheartened, but not Ferruccio. Despite feeling insulted, he was inspired by his frustration in what he deemed as a lack in Ferrari's foresight and went on to start a new business selling luxury sports cars. 

Automobili Lamborghini

"Mechanics was in my blood. I knew I could beat Ferrari." - Ferruccio Lamborghini

Established on a 150,000 m2 property in Northern Bologna, Lamborghini as we know it today was founded and in 1963 unveiled the 350 GTV at an auto show in Turin. Despite the fact that the car was missing its engine due to time constraints (and because Lamborghini wasn't about to use any old V12), the car received high acclaim. Moved by the success of seeing his dream realised, he continued to perfect his models until he developed what is best known as the world's first supercar...

The Lamborghini Miura 

 "My all time favorite Lamborghini is my Miura" - Rod Stewart.

Referred to as the world's first supercar by Maxim (International Men's Magazine), the Lamborghini Miura was unveiled to the public in the summer of 1966. The automotive success of this classic model is what went on to establish the Lamborghini brand as one of the ultimates of its class.

The Miura itself revolutionised the way sports saloons were built with it being the first vehicle to have the engine placed behind the cockpit (Rear-mid engine layout) rather than in front of the windscreen like traditional vehicles.

Today, only 400 of these are believed to still be in existence although it's not hard to imagine when Lamborghini only ever produced 800 in total. A recent drive through the Riviera where 25 Miura owners meet up every once in a while saw a tribute of Carabinieri (police) clearing the highways as they went so as to allow the crew to go at full throttle. A truly eye-opening event when even the law enforcement wants your classic car to go fast.

Lamborghini's Legacy

Una Razza Diversa

A black and gold raging bull is what defines the Lamborghini brand, this is because every single model built to this day (Besides the 1970s Countach) is named after a famous Spanish fighting bull. From the iconic 90s Diablo SV to the more modernised and most recent Huracán, each car imbibes the strength and ferocity of the beast it is named for.

Lamborghini's financial situation saw him giving up his company, selling to private investors in the early 80's, and retiring to his family vineyard where he eventually passed away in 1993. Although the man is no longer with us, the brand continued on, passing through various different hands until it was finally bought by Audi (a subsidiary of Volkswagen) in 1998.

Lamborghini's unique origin story is an example of how one can experience rejection as Lamborghini did at the hands of Ferrari, and turn what could have been a negative experience and outcome into a prosperous rival to the brand he hoped to improve. What's even more inspiring is how even from the most humble beginnings of farm equipment, a world-renowned supercar brand can emerge.

Read our previous article here: https://www.hamiltons.co.za/news/opulent-lifestyles-westcliff-saxonwold/  

Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.hamiltons.co.za/newsletter/ 

Contact Hamiltons Property Portfolio for all your buying or selling requirements:

Johannesburg (Head Office): 011 463 0155

Cape Town: 021 418-0328 

Garden Route: 044 050 3295

Eastern Cape: 076 927 7787

Or email to reception@hamiltons.co.za