350/400GT thread

Fred, I dont agree that stem mount mirror look stupid, simply lighter and less obtrusive. The chrome Talbot Berlin bullet mirror does appear most often on 350/400 Lamborghini.
Check out the nice look of this stem mount on a 400.
Cheers
Craig
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Here is a more modern look for 1967/68. My 400 includes an old Mach I with the old parts and holes in the left front fender to match this app.
I believe this chrome Sebring mirror was available from Vitaloni prior to 1966, so a potential choice for a GT400 2+2, if you were daring enough. Not sure these Sebring Mach I mirrors were actually very useful, no matter where you mounted them.
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Ooooooo! I like that "stem mount" look.

I'm sold!

Thanks Craig,

Fred

 

No external mirrors on this puppy. Nice look, but not sure I wouldn't keep looking for a mirror if I was driving it!

 

Looks like a Talbot Berlin 300 awaiting some clean up. Very popular on 64-68 Lamborghini.
Spun brass housing, chrome plated, and u-bolt mount that works easily on a Lamborghini door structure.
Talbot aluminum, green dot, and 366 were from a later time period (mid 70's), but the green dot does look nice.
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Hello,
I was wondering if there may be a book, or website available that depicts the history & development of these cars. I'm interested in the subtle changes & improvements throughout their rein, plus any pitfalls, or common ailments to look out for, and their cures.
Ciao, RF.

 

The Lyons book is not bad, don't know how to get one but it's worth some investigating:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Lamborghini-Pete-Lyons/dp/9998272750

But really, there isn't much out there of much value. No special "350/400" book that I know of.

Besides FChat, also try:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/VintageLambo/

and

http://www.vintagelamborghini.com/vlgforum/

Cheers,

Fred

PS: Lyons is a great guy, his CanAm book is the best out there. But he's not thrilled with the 350/400 cars -- keep that in mind if you get that book. I honestly think he's more of a racecar guy, and the 350/400 cars are definitely GT cars, not racers.

 

Doesnt exist yet RF, but I reccommend an article -
http://www.classiccar.co.nz/articles/1968-lamborghini-400gt-22-pedigree-bull-197
Cheers
Craig
PS Dont believe everything (or maybe much of anything) you read on Lamborghini, as it is all usually very poorly researched, and usually regurgitated, but it is a starting point. No different from a 330GT or a 3500GT.

 

Should not the package tray in a 400 2+2 be flat? I am noticing a lot of preserved Lamborghini with warped package trays, including mine with the leather shrinkage causing the problem.
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This is 01342, a sister Lamborghini to the silver 01345 above? both RHD
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oh definitely flat, Craig. Definitely.

These folks either got a poor restoration or they're hanging on to stock WAAAY TOO LONG! lol!

Flat rules.

Freddy Flat Package Tray.

 

1342 is English:

http://www.400gt.com/misc/AutoDigest22h.jpg

(btw, this document is based on the real build sheets, from what I can tell. So it is THE best 400GT 2+2 document in existence. fwiw)

Now...1342 is a factory RHD, so good call Craig... Probably a "sister to 1345"

The factory RHD cars (there were NO 350GT RHD cars) are:

1243
1297
1342
1345

That's it, baby. 4 cars. (as far as I know)

Cheers,

Fred

 

btw, I don't think it's leather shrinkage, I think it's vinyl shrinkage. The only leather is on the seats and the tranny tunnel. Everything else is vinyl.

"I think"

 

Here is a photo from KLDConcept that covers two topics on 2+2 , mirror types seen on 2+2 and shrinkage!
Looks like black door handles, Miura wheels, hex wheel caps, amber Altissimo park/turn, different color side repeaters.....
Fred, my package tray is matching leather covered, the same as seats......shrinking and pulling up the rear of the panel , just like this photo!
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Talbot mirrors - some training required. This instruction sheet is dated (March 1968)
Here is a Cornelis photo to allow an understanding of Talbot 300-301-302 mirrors. All the same mirror, simply different mount schemes.
I believe the 301 was the only option, during the 60's, for no internal access. I notice the instruction sheet has misprints, but the pictures are worth learning.
300 for flat with rear access
301 for flat no access
302 for a peak mount with access
all these could have been Jr or Sr
I dont think they were called "Berlin" in the 60's
I don't think there was a green dot logo introduced until the mid 70's
I could be wrong about all of this. Somebody help
Craig
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Anyone familiar enough with the Talbot mirror pieces to know if the only difference between a Jr and a Sr is the mirror "bowl" .....with all the other pieces being the same?
I have not found a part number breakdown of Talbot.
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have you heard about this?

400 gt project #0784

http://www.finecars.cc/fr/detail/car/133691/index.html?no_cache=1&ret=63
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Holy cow. that's amazing.

Thanks for the link.

Fred

 

Wow, quite an interesting project, thanks. I do remember Tom Meadows talking about this last year when we spoke about Pertronix and Marelli, but never heard any followup. I used to live in Los Osos, so this was probably sitting up in Cambria at that time, but i had no interest in those years.
Andrew, have you seen this? Yeow!
Cheers
Craig
Yet another 2+2 mirror, seen often on Ferrari and Alfa
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Craig:

I think this is what Gary Bobileff uses on some of his restorations. They look period and according to Gary you can actually see what's behind you with them. Not helpful to you in terms of who makes them.

Alberto

 

Mirror choice can be very strange. Even though the mirror is odd, this is a nice looking GT400 2+2. Something about the yellow headlights......very French.
Badge bar, single wiper, looks like shoulder straps, rectangle side repeaters.

Still appears that the standard mirror for most Lamborghini 350/400 was the Talbot chrome bullet mirror.
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Thanks Alberto, Would Gary know the origin of this "pebble grain top" Alfa Romeo mirror?
I want to know the manufacturer, maybe period catlog info, magazine ad at least.
Talbot, Raydyot, Lucas, Durant, Vitaloni are mirror companies of the period I see as common. This simple side mirror shows up most frequently on the more sedate Ferrari street models of the 64-68 time period, and it looks fitting and very functional. The high frequency use on Alfa makes this mirror seem Italian made.
Cheers
Craig
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Fred, Registered LAM1, this 400 appears RHD. Chassis 1351, touted as last 400 2+2
Cheers
Craig
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1351 wasn't last...I think 1354 was?

I'll look it up

 

I think 1354 was the last Lamborghini chassis number issued, but records may show build completion at earlier date, or rather release date.

Here is a nice Lamborghini GT400 2+2 with 250,000 miles
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