Lamborghini

Lamborghini 350 GT, 1964

© photo courtesy of: Lamborghini

History tells that Ferruccio Lamborghini and Enzo Ferrari had a bit of a conflict – due to the clutch on a FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
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car that Ferruccio owned – and that is actually why Ferruccio decided to open his own sports car company, Lamborghini, and never buy another Ferrari again. Ferruccio even employed a former Ferrari engineer, Giotto Bizzarrini, so he would use his previous experience with Ferrari’s V12 engine and built a new one for Lamborghini.

Ferruccio Lamborghini, born under the sign of Taurus, was really passionate for bulls, although he did not support bullfighting whatsoever, and that is the reason why almost all Lamborghini models are named after famous bulls, ranches or otherwise related to them.

In 1972, when the company received a very large tractor order and made some huge investments to respond to it, the order was actually cancelled and Lamborghini underwent some true financial problems that forced Ferruccio to sell to FiatFiatItaly, 1899 > present159 models
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a part of his share in the tractor industrial unit. In addition to that, high performance and sports cars suffered a serious decrease in demand in the 1970’s as a consequence of the oil crisis.

Although Lamborghini’s automobile industry remained lucrative for some time, it ultimately pronounced bankruptcy in 1978. Ferruccio would later let the Swiss investors Mimran brothers buy all his remaining stock and gave up on the car business. In 1984, the Swiss brothers finally took full possession of the company, after four years of management.

Lamborghini Countach, 1974

© photo courtesy of: Lamborghini

In 1987, it was American automaker ChryslerChryslerUnited States of America, 1925 > present70 models
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’s turn to buy the Italian company, with Lee Iacocca running the deal as Chrysler’s chairman. The American company, however, would later sell Lamborghini to Indonesian investment group Megatech, in 1994.

Ferruccio Lamborghini didn’t live to see this transition, as he died in 1993 at the age of 76.

Megatech improved Lamborghini’s dealer network around the world and the Italian car builder was brought back to life in the car markets.

German automaker AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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, VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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Group’s subsidiary eventually bought Lamborghini and made it a subsidiary of its own as well.

In addition to their unusual and quite innovative styling, Lamborghini cars are amongst the most powerful and expensive vehicles in the world.

A golden enraged bull on a black background is the symbol which Lamborghini badges its cars with.

The logo’s origins are explained by Ferruccio Lamborghini’s love for these animals and also due to his astrological sign, the Taurus.

Despite his passion for bulls, Ferruccio didn’t support bullfighting events at all, which people frequently thought he did.

This symbol also gives the Italian sports car builder an association with exotic and extremely powerful motoring.

Some authors suggest that the choice of a golden bull on a black background was no coincidence when compared to Ferrari’s black horse on yellow background. Ferruccio Lamborghini actually inaugurated his car factory after conflicts with Enzo Ferrari and rivalry between them remained ever since.