Today, Lamborghinis are one of the most coveted car brands on the market, synonymous with speed, excess, and audacious design. However, the company's origins are a far cry from the supercars they produce today. Before the roaring V12 engines and angular head-turners, Lamborghini built tractors. The brand’s unlikely rise from agricultural machinery to automotive icon is a story driven by pride and rivalry.
The beginnings
Ferruccio Lamborghini was born in 1916 in the rural town of Renazzo di Cento, Italy, to grape farmers. After training as a mechanic, he served in the Italian Royal Air Force repairing machinery, becoming the supervisor of the vehicle maintenance unit. He returned home with a deep understanding of engines and a sharp entrepreneurial instinct. He saw an opportunity in postwar Italy, when the country was rebuilding, and farmers needed reliable equipment.
Lamborghini Trattori
In 1948, Ferruccio founded Lamborghini Trattori, manufacturing tractors using surplus military parts after WWII. The business was a huge success as Italy's agricultural sector was modernizing rapidly. Ferruccio’s machines were durable, efficient, and inexpensive. Over the next ten years, Lamborghini became one of Italy's most successful industrialists, expanding into heating and air-conditioning and accumulating massive wealth.
Automobili Lamborghini
With his riches and his interest in mechanics, Ferruccio developed a passion for sports cars. His collection included Alfa Romeos, Maseratis, Jaguars, and several Ferraris. While he admired Ferraris for their design and power, he was frustrated by the reliability of their clutch. He reportedly approached Enzo Ferrari with his complaints, giving him suggestions for how to improve. This prompted a dispute that became automotive legend.
Enzo allegedly dismissed Lamborghini, telling him to stick to tractors and leave sports cars to those who understood them. Ferruccio, fuming, decided to stick it to Enzo by building his own sports car.
In 1963, he founded Automobili Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese. Unlike Ferrari, which was rooted in racing, Ferruccio had no interest in motorsport. He envisioned a grand touring car that blended performance with comfort and luxury. Thus, the 350 GT—an elegant, fast, and impeccably engineered machine—was born. It was an instant success, celebrated for its stunning design and high-end craftsmanship.
However, it was the Miura. Released in 1966, that changed everything. It featured a revolutionary mid-engine layout and breathtaking design. It's widely considered the first true supercar and was the car that made Lamborghini more than a competitor, but a leader.
Instability
For a time, it seemed like everything Ferruccio touched turned to gold. However, in the 1970s, everything changed. Economic downturns and an oil crisis hit the luxury car markets hard. Ferruccio sold his controlling interest in Lamborghini and eventually left the company altogether. After his departure, ownership changed hands several times, and the brand's quality suffered.
Revival
In 1998, Lamborghini was acquired by Audi. Backed by German engineering prowess and financial stability, the brand improved drastically, returning to its roots, blending luxury, cutting-edge design, and reliability. Cars like the Murciélago, Aventador, and Huracán cemented their place at the top of the supercar world once again.
