Ferrari and Lamborghini: A Tale of Ego and Passion

Cars are life for some people. And if you are one of those people who are crazy about cars, then you must have at some point dreamt about racing or owning your own car, like a Ferrari, or even a Lamborghini. Utter luxury cars, and these two names are the first to strike your mind. But what most of you are unaware of, is the fact that they both go back a long way. Let's take a look at how it all started, so buckle your seatbelts, and enjoy the ride!

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When Ferruccio Lamborghini unveiled his first luxury car in 1963, Enzo Ferrari's cars were a already a rage among car lovers. But what prompted Lamborghini to take on Ferrari, mano-a-mano? Initially, Lamborghini started out as producer of tractors, after recycling old military machines. He had served in the World War II with the Air Force mechanics corps, which explains the access to the military machines, and although he came from a family of grape farmers, he his had little interest in it, as his passion was cars. He quickly grew rich, courtesy his tractor manufacturing business, and like all rich folks, purchased quite a few luxury cars, which included a Ferrari 250 GT, and indulged wholeheartedly in racing. Now Lamborghini was no novice when it came to car mechanics,  and it was not long before he discovered certain defects with the Ferrari, with it being too noisy and rough on roads, and the problem with the interior clutch, which needed constant repairing. He decided to tell Enzo Ferrari about it, who was quite offended by the fact that the tips were from a mere tractor mechanic, and told Lamborghini to stick to tractors. The rest is history, as Lamborghini with his wounded ego, decided to take on Ferrari, and started designing his own cars, and unveiled his Lamborghini 350 GTV at the Turin Motor Show, in 1963! The project which he had started, saw phenomenal success, and by August 1963, AutomobiliFerruccio Lamborghini was officially established. His Santa'Agata Bolognese plot saw a massive manufacturing plant being set up, with the office of the management, adjacent to the manufacturing unit, indicating a close supervision of all the models. And not only that, Lamborghini was known to procure car parts from the best in business, as for the engine, he favoured Giotto Bizzarini's model, who was also the man behind the recent Ferraris's engines (during that time)!

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By the early 1960s, Ferruccio Lamborghini had made quite a name for himself, rivalling that of Enzo Ferrari's. Initially he received lukeworm feedback from people, who thought it was wishful thinking to take on the Ferrari cars, but things worked out in Lamborghini's favour. He was a brilliant mechanic, with a headstrong attitude. Guess it takes two very talented Italian men, luxury cars, and a bruised ego to create history!

Post Written by - Lopamudra