Description
The Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Coupé was the car that transformed Lamborghini from a promising newcomer into a respected manufacturer of refined, high-performance grand tourers. Introduced in 1966, it was the direct successor to the 350 GT and represented a natural evolution of that car’s engineering and design. With its enlarged V12 engine, reworked chassis, and elegantly lengthened body, the 400 GT 2+2 Coupé became the definitive expression of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s original vision—a powerful, luxurious touring car that could rival Ferrari not through racing pedigree but through superior craftsmanship, comfort, and mechanical refinement.
At the heart of the 400 GT 2+2 was the magnificent 3,929 cc V12 engine designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and developed for production by Gian Paolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani. Constructed entirely from aluminium, it featured four overhead camshafts and six twin-choke Weber carburetors, producing around 320 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. This highly sophisticated unit was paired with Lamborghini’s own five-speed all-synchromesh gearbox, developed in-house to replace the earlier ZF transmission used in the 350 GT. The gearbox’s smooth action and refined gearing perfectly complemented the V12’s linear power delivery. Performance was exceptional for the period—0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just under seven seconds and a top speed close to 250 km/h (155 mph).
The 400 GT’s chassis was an improved version of the 350 GT’s tubular steel frame, designed to accommodate a longer cabin for four passengers without compromising rigidity or balance. Fully independent suspension—double wishbones with coil springs and telescopic dampers at all four corners—gave the car a supple yet controlled ride, while Girling disc brakes provided strong, progressive stopping power. The car’s 1,450 kg weight was distributed evenly, contributing to its composed handling and stability at high speed. It was as capable of devouring the autostrada at 200 km/h as it was gliding through city streets with poise and civility.
The design of the 400 GT 2+2 Coupé was entrusted once again to Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, who refined their original 350 GT shape with subtle adjustments to create a true four-seater without sacrificing proportion or elegance. Using Touring’s patented “Superleggera” construction technique—light aluminium panels over a framework of thin steel tubing—the new body retained the lithe, flowing character of the earlier car while gaining a slightly taller roofline and longer wheelbase. These changes allowed for two small but usable rear seats, making the 400 GT one of the few true four-passenger grand tourers in its class.
Stylistically, the car was a masterpiece of balance and restraint. The long bonnet, short rear deck, and gracefully arched roofline gave it a timeless silhouette. The front end was revised with dual round headlamps—replacing the earlier oval units—set within a wider, more assertive grille that gave the car a modern and distinctive face. Chrome accents were applied with taste and precision, tracing the window frames and highlighting the clean, uninterrupted body surfaces. The gently curved fenders and subtle tail contours reflected light beautifully, and the overall impression was one of understated confidence and aerodynamic purity.
Inside, the 400 GT 2+2 was a triumph of Italian craftsmanship. The interior was upholstered entirely in soft Connolly leather, with carefully tailored seats that provided both comfort and lateral support for long journeys. The dashboard, finished in polished aluminium or dark walnut veneer, featured a symmetrical array of Jaeger instruments and toggle switches, giving the cockpit an aircraft-like precision. A large Nardi wood-rimmed steering wheel and slender gear lever added to the tactile quality of the driving experience. The attention to detail extended to the smallest fittings—the door handles, window cranks, and air vents—all beautifully machined and fitted with precision.
On the road, the 400 GT 2+2 delivered a driving experience that was remarkably composed and rewarding. The V12 engine was smooth and elastic, capable of pulling strongly from low revs and soaring to over 7,000 rpm with a sonorous, metallic wail. The gearbox shifted cleanly, the clutch was progressive, and the steering offered a delicate balance of feedback and ease. The suspension soaked up imperfections with refinement, yet the car cornered with balance and agility, feeling far lighter than its size suggested. It was a true grand tourer—comfortable, fast, and effortless over long distances, perfectly suited to high-speed touring across Europe’s finest roads.
The 400 GT 2+2 was also built to exceptional standards. Lamborghini’s small team of craftsmen in Sant’Agata Bolognese assembled each car by hand, ensuring superb fit and finish. Paint quality, panel alignment, and interior trim were of the highest order, reflecting Ferruccio Lamborghini’s obsession with quality and durability. He wanted his cars to be as reliable as they were beautiful, and the 400 GT delivered on both counts—something not always true of Italian exotics in the 1960s.
In total, only 247 examples of the 400 GT 2+2 were produced between 1966 and 1968. Despite its low production numbers, it was Lamborghini’s first real commercial success and established the marque as a legitimate rival to Ferrari and Maserati. It also laid the foundation for Lamborghini’s engineering philosophy: powerful V12 engines, elegant grand touring design, and meticulous construction.
Today, the Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Coupé is regarded as one of the most accomplished and usable classic Lamborghinis of all time. It combines the purity of the company’s earliest designs with the sophistication that would later define the brand. Collectors prize it for its timeless style, mechanical integrity, and effortless driving manners. More than a car, it represents the moment when Lamborghini found its voice—when Ferruccio’s dream of building the perfect gran turismo became a reality.
The 400 GT 2+2 Coupé remains a masterpiece of balance and refinement, a car that proved speed and comfort could coexist in perfect harmony. It was the car that solidified Lamborghini’s identity, not through flamboyance or aggression, but through grace, precision, and unshakable confidence—a grand tourer in the truest sense of the word.