10 Things You Never Knew About Lamborghini

Considered by many to be the world’s greatest manufacturer of exotic and high-end sports cars, Lamborghini has had a storied history that will surprise.Since the first Lamborghini rolled off the production line in 1963, the company has set an impossible standard for others to match.Since its introduction, Lamborghini has been in a constant battle with rival Ferrari to create the perfect sports car.Continue reading to learn 10 of the most interesting facts about Lamborghini.

10. Lamborghini Once Tried to Sell the U.S. Military a Version of the Hummer

Created in 1977, the Lamborghini Cheetah was the auto company’s attempt at dethroning the Hummer from its perch as the U.S. Military’s supplier of off-road vehicles. Unfortunately, because the engine was mounted in the rear, the Cheetah suffered from poor handling and an inadequate motor. The only model ever manufactured by Lamborghini was crashed in the desert during testing.

9. Both the Vatican City and Italian State Police utilize Lamborghinis

 In Italy, the state police utilize a customized Lamborghini Gallardo that can reach speeds of more than 60 miles per hour in less than four seconds. This specially designed Gallardo is more than just brawn as it is packed with the latest police gadgets. While not quite as fast, the Vatican Police Department is outfitted with Lamborghini golf carts that move the officers from point A to B in style. In addition to Italy, the government of Dubai recently introduced a Lamborghini Aventador to their fleet of crime-stopping vehicles.

8. It Takes More than 100 People to Handcraft each Vehicle

Due to the uniqueness of the brand, each vehicle purchased is hand-built by Lamborghini. While the exact number of people needed to build each vehicle is dependent on the model, it takes on average more than 100 workers to hand-craft each aspect of the vehicle. From the windshield to the doors to the frame, every single nook and cranny of the vehicle is build by someone’s hands. As an example, the average Murcielago SV takes about 130 people to build. At a cost of more than $400,000 customers demand perfection. 

7. Lamborghini Manufacturers 8 Cars per day and About 2000-3000 Every Year

Given that Lamborghini only manufactures two vehicles, the gallardo and the aventador, it is no surprise that the company makes very few models every year. Furthermore in an effort to protect the brand’s prestige as the world’s leading manufacturer of exotic sports cars, Lamborghini limits the number of vehicles sold in each model class to a set number each year. In 2011, Lamborghini manufactured 1711 cars and employed roughly 800 people. With a ratio of about two vehicles per every employee, Lamborghini continues to prove that it prides quality over quantity.

6. The Bull Logo Was Chosen because it Represents the Sun Sign Taurus

Not many people know that the true history behind the bull logo is not that it represents speed and ferociousness, but because it is a symbol of the founder’s sun sign: Taurus. When trying to determine a logo for the company, Ferrucci Lamborghini opted for the bull because he felt it represented his hardnosed and stubborn personality.

5. Lamborghini was Originally Founded as a Tractor Manufacturing Company

Although Ferruccio Lamborghini was an auto-enthusiast who was a mechanic in the Italian Royal Air Force, he opted to go into a career as a tractor manufacturer. Before long, Ferruccio had built a successful business empire by supplying tractors built from excess World War II military parts. In addition to the tractor manufacturing business, Lamborghini was also the owner of a lucrative air conditioning and gas heating manufacturing company. 

4. Lamborghini’s Original Owner once owned a Ferrari before Deciding to start his own Exotic Sports car Company

In 1958, Ferruccio Lamborghini purchased a Ferrari 250GT; however, he quickly became disenchanted with the significant road noise and uncomfortable ride. While driving his Ferrari 250GT, Lamborghini realized that a source of many of the vehicle’s problems was a broken clutch. Much to his surprise, Lamborghini realized that the clutch used in his Ferrari was the same used in his tractors. Due to his passion for automobiles, Lamborghini decided to begin manufacturing sports cars in an effort to create the world’s perfect vehicle.

3. Lamborghini is not Just a Car Manufacturer and has Dabbled in the SUV Market

In addition to the aforementioned prototype Cheetah, Lamborghini has actually manufactured several SUV’s that have gone on to be produced, sold and driven. Building off the problems of the Cheetah, Lamborghini launched the LM002 in 1986 with a V-12 front-engine motor. Nicknamed the Rambo Lambo, the LM002 was available in both a civilian and military model. The civilian model included leather seats, power window, air conditioning and a roof-mounted stereo.

2. Each Lamborghini is Pre-sold Before it is Manufactured

Due to the exclusivity of the brand, every Lamborghini is pre-sold before being built. What this means is that should an average person walk into a dealership you would not be able to order and purchase a Lamborghini. Instead, anyone interested in purchasing a Lamborghini must reach out to the manufacturer as soon as the vehicle launch information is released.

1. Lamborghini Currently Manufactures the World’s Most Expensive Car

With a pricetag of a whopping $3.9 million you can purchase Lamborghini’s latest model: the Veneno. This one-of-a-kind Lamborghini has 750-horsepower and is the company’s 50th anniversary model. Once built, the Veneno will rank as one of the world’s most expensive vehicles along with the $2.4 million Bugatti Veyron and the $1 million McLaren F1. The car is equipped with a V-12 engine and should reach 0-60 miles per hour in a heart stopping 2.8 seconds. Only three will be made and unfortunately for those with the cash to buy all three models have already been sold.