Following the recent discussion in the 'Sogna' thread I would like to start here about when a car is a Lamborghini and when not... There are a few examples of show cars and cars based on Lamborghini (more ore less) and some are Lamborghini's and some are not, some are called Lamborghini and some are not. I'll try to make an overview and my opinion on the car in question. Feel free to add or question my personal view(s). Touring Tigre: Touring made a proposal for the car that later was to become the Miura. Since it was a sketch and wooden model, and no proof was found for a relation with Lamborgini, I would not consider this a Lamborghini. Bizzarini P538: Bizzarini fitted some of his cars with a Lamborghini engine. Although widely regarded as a Bizzarini, sometimes this car is called a Lamborghini P538 Bertone Lamborghini Marzal: Made by Bertone, for and in cooperation with Lamborghini, this car is generally referred to as Lamborghini Marzal. Bertone Lamborghini Miura Roadster: Made by Bertone, for and in cooperation with Lamborghini, this car is generally referred to as Lamborghini Miura Roadster. Bertone Lamborghini Bravo: Made by Bertone, for and in cooperation with Lamborghini, this car is generally referred to as Lamborghini Bravo Bertone Lamborghini Athon: Although an initiative by Bertone, this car is generally referred to as Lamborghini Athon. Frua Faena: Made by Frua on a (stretched) Espada rolling chassis, sometimes referred to as Lamborghini Faena. Stuarti Sonata: Mady by Stuarti, using a lot of Lamborghini parts, this is never been referred to as a Lamborghini Sonata. Bertone Genesis: As an initiative by Bertone, based on a Lamborghini chassis and engine, this car is generally not referred to as Lamborghini Genesis. Italdesign Lamborghini Calá: Made by Italdesign for and in cooperation with Lamborghini, this car is generally referred to as Lamborghini Calá. Italdesign Lamborghini Marco Polo: Made by Italdesign, only being a mock-up, this is usually being referred to as Lamborghini Marco polo, although afaik it was not a cooperation with Lamborghini. The LM001 prototype used a Chrysler engine, but is still called a Lamborghini. The MTI CHeetah only had some Lamborghini badges and markings and a brochure, but is generally referred to as Lamborghini Cheetah Art&Tech Sogna: Made by Art&Tech on the rolling chassis of a Countach 25th, this car is generally referred to as Lamborghini Sogna. Affolter Diablo SE35: Made by Affolter, this is a tuning version of a Diablo SV, widely mistaken to be an official factory released special edition. Heuliez Pregunta: Based on a Diablo, this is usually called Heuliez, but sometimes referred to as Lamborghini Pregunta MCA Centenaire: made by MCA using a Diablo rolling chassis. Not Lamborghini Centenaire. Automoviles Lamborghini Latinoamerica Coatl/Eros/Alar(777): based on rolling Diablo chassis, usually referred to as Lamborghini Coatl/Eros/Alar(777). Zagato Lamborghini Canto: made for and in cooperation with Lamborghini, this is usually referred to as the Lamborghini Canto. Zagata Lamborghini Raptor: As an intiative by Zagato, this is many times called Zagato Raptor, but also many times Lamborghini Raptor Zagato Lamborghini LM003: made for Lamborghini, only a mock-up, this is usually referred to as the Lamborghini LM003 Zagato. Then there are some cars for othr VAG brands, thats used a Diablo rolling chassis, but are never called a Lamborghini: Bugatti EB18.3 Chiron, Bugatti EB18.4 Veyron, Bentley Hunaudieres. Also the Vector M12, using a Lamborghini (Diablo) engine is never called a Lamborghini M12. The LM001 prototype used a Chrysler engine, but is still called a Lamborghini. The MTI CHeetah only had some Lamborghini badges and markings and a brochure, but is generally referred to as Lamborghini Cheetah. A mock-up based on old sketches by Giugaro, put together and presented by Fabrizio to Giorgio as a present is called Lamborghini Giugaro. As soon as a car went in production in Sant'Agata it is clear that it should be called a Lamborghini. Having said that, nobody would ever talk about a Lamborghini 127 Rustica, although many of those (Fiat) cars rolled off the lines in Sant'Agata ....
built by Neri & Boncini coachbuilders on a 400GT chassis. Zagato Lamborghini 3500 GTZ Touring 350GTS Spyder Touring 400GTS Spyder Touring Flying Star II
Another example are the off shore boats. I don't know who makes the hulls, but as soon as they drop the engine in the craft, it seems, it is called a Lamborghini. My boat has a GM based engine but is still called a Chaparrel. It must be the prestige.
Interesting thread and a great list some i have not heard of so thank u for some great info. but i mentioned the Monza and this is a Lamborghini ( at the factorys request it was in the facoty museum)There is a long standing precedence set in the auto world that an RR with a Barker or Freestone and Webb body is still an RR and this was not necessarily the factorys choice and was at the discretion of the new owner, (in fact some the the body styles would seem to have horrified Mr Royce) and its even clearer with factory involvement as in a Zagato Aston Martin which is an Aston Martin through and through. Even Ferrari had many of its cars bodied by contractors in the 50s and 60s and they are still Ferraris. Also many UK companies went to the italian styling boutiques in the 60s and 70s like Triumph for design as well as many US companies for there one-off show cars. I do not think factory OK or involvement in the bodywork is an issue provided the underpinnings of the car are Lamborghini or Ferrari or Alfa or whatever. The factories may not always like it but if the engine and chassis ( even if adapted to suit) were sourced from a known model then its still a part of any marques collective history. It is perhaps less clear when a car is made up of a collection of bits. But it is such an interesting point made.
Not just that, it seems like there must be a general liking as well... The Sogna should be a Lamborghini to some of the above, but is being slammed. The Raptor should probably not be a Lamborghini, but still it is ... The Sonata has a Lamborghini engine in it, but is being slammed. The Cheetah has virtually nothing Italian in it, but it's a Lamborghini...
Engine? The Detomaso Pantera has a Ford engine in it. Still a Detomaso. The Pagani has a Mercedes engine in it. Still a Pagani. Fiat Dino. etc etc Unless you have a licence from the owner of the "Lamborghini" trademark, it is not a Lamborghini. If you mean 'is it a Lamborghini at heart", that's different.
If they were built by the owners of the name "Lamborghini" and were intended as a product of Lamborghini, then yes, they are Lamborghini.
I'm really surprised by the question of your post Jasper. Yes, it is interesting to speak about all these, knowing that most readers don't know them, but you know already the answer as you have the knowledge to classify which one is or is not a real Lamborghini... Your thread title could have been different... Cars that have been created under Lamborghini authority or ordered by customers to Lamborghini even if contrated outside the factory are real Lamborghini. All the others are one off built on Lamborghini base by independent coachbuilder or wealthy guys wishing to realise their dreams...
Hi some Lamborghini Athon Bertone Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login photos from my photo archive. Archivio-Sport-Auto Italy Car show Greetings Lobo7 bruno.turri@hotmail.com