Ferruccio Lamborghini inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame

Ferruccio Lamborghini, the tractor manufacturer turned supercar icon, was one of six inductees into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit this past July, with the designer, engineer and businessman recognised for the famous line of a sports cars - from the 1960s to the present day - that bear his name, as well as his earlier entrepreneurship in the tractor industry.

Born into a family of grape growers in 1916, Ferruccio Lamborghini showed an interest and ability in engineering from a young age. Those skills were honed first at a technical school in Bologna, then in the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force) where he served as a mechanic during World War II.

At the end of hostilities, Lamborghini began to build tractors using parts from decommissioned military vehicles, as well as developing potent sports cars based on the pre-war Fiat Topolino. The need for tractors in post-war Italy was far greater than for sports cars, leading to a focus on the former and the foundation of Lamborghini Trattori in 1948.

The success of Lamborghini’s tractor business allowed him to own a series of fast, expensive cars, including a Maserati 3500 GT, Jaguar E-type and various Alfa Romeos, Lancias and Ferraris. Lamborghini’s dissatisfaction with a Ferrari 250 GT led him to air his grievances directly to Enzo Ferrari, who was dismissive of the criticism and so insulted Lamborghini that he vowed to beat Ferrari at his own game.

Automobili Lamborghini was established in 1963 with the goal of building a better, more refined GT car than what was currently available from any other manufacturer, specifically Italian ones and more specifically, Ferrari.

The 350GT was the first car to wear the Lamborghini badge, making its debut in 1964, followed by the 400GT in 1965, then the world-famous Miura a year later.

Models like the Jarama, Islero, Urraco and Espada followed, but by the time the Countach went into production in 1974, Ferruccio had sold his stake in both Lamborghini Trattori and Automobili Lamborghini and severed all ties with the car business following a series of financial difficulties.

Although Lamborghini-badged cars and tractors continued to be produced, Lamborghini himself was essentially retired by the mid-1970s. Although he was overseeing other business interests, much of Lamborghini’s time was now spent on a large acreage in central Italy where he dabbled in the old family business of vineyards and winemaking.

Twice awarded for his contribution to Italian industry and commerce, Ferruccio Lamborghini passed away in 1993, aged 76, following a heart attack.

In part, the notation for Lamborghini’s induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame for 2022 states: “Lamborghini first found success following WWII, manufacturing tractors in Northern Italy for local small farms. His proclivity for mechanical quality allowed him to expand his product lines, and his success enabled him to purchase a variety of sports cars, including a Ferrari. A quibble with the vehicle’s transmission inspired his own tinkering and the determination that he could create a better vehicle. Thus, Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini S.p.A. came to life. His attention to detail led his team’s delivery of cutting-edge, mid-engine supercars like the Miura and later the astonishing Countach.”

Joining Ferruccio Lamborghini in being inducted this year were: Alma and Victor Green, creators of The Green Book, a travel guide for African Americans that listed negro-friendly businesses in the USA and was published from 1936 to 1966; Lyn St. James, the former IndyCar racer, driver trainer, philanthropist, FIA representative and women in motorsport advocate; Taiichi Ohno who developed the Toyota Production System that improved manufacturing efficiency and would influence the automotive industry globally; and Lu Guanqiu, founder of the first Chinese auto parts manufacturer to sell components to US car companies and head of Fisker Automotive Holdings, now known as Karma Automotive.

“This year’s class of inductees continues to recognise the diversity of contributions to this industry,” said Sarah Cook, president of the Automotive Hall of Fame, at the HoF Awards Ceremony on 21 July.

“From manufacturing to racing, road travel to the rarest of luxury performance vehicles, this group tells some of the most interesting and important stories of the industry, and we couldn’t be more pleased to recognise their achievements and welcome them into the Hall of Fame.”