Lamborghini Gears Up For 50th Ann., Shares Carbon Tech with Boeing Dreamliner [w/Videos]

In 1963, Ferruccio Lamborghini presented the first car that bore his name: the 350 GTV. A few years later, he would turn the sports car industry on its head with the mid-engined Miura, which would set the template for the Countach, Diablo and Murcielago that followed and established Lamborghini as a supercar manufacturer.

Despite its impact in the automotive world, and specifically in the supercar segment, the Sant’ Agata Bolognese plant was a low-volume operation: from its inception until 2002, annual sales averaged a mere 250 units.

By 2007, however, this number has increased nine-fold, thanks in part to the addition of the smaller Gallardo to the range, while today the Aventador is the fastest-selling V12 Lambo ever and has an 18-month waiting list.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this year marks the Raging Bull’s 50th anniversary, but Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said it anyway last year during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, while also revealing Lamborghini’s plans on how it would celebrate its birthday.

The Lamborghini 50th Anniversary Grand Tour will take place from May 7-11 on more than 1,200 km of Italy’s roads and will be attended by Lamborghini owners and dealers from all around the globe.

The route will start in Milan and end at Emilia-Romagna’s capital where, half a century ago, Ferruccio laid the foundation stone of his own car company plant after Enzo Ferrari famously brushed him off as a “tractor maker”.

“Over the past 50 years, Lamborghini has represented the dream, legend and symbol of a unique, remarkable region – Emilia-Romagna – whose proud, determined people have given us models unlike anything else in the world”, said Winkelmann.

“Even today, now that we are an international enterprise, this deep bond with our local history and culture is still very strong. We are certain that the events in Italy and abroad will make Lamborghini’s 50th Anniversary a unique, memorable experience for all our fans, as they look forward to reliving firsthand the emotions of the past, and savor the anticipation of a new and exciting future,” he added.

Last month Winkelmann told Autonews that Lamborghini would “unveil a special car” to celebrate the anniversary. He added that it would be a one-off design, in the mold of the Aventador J and that “it will not be a revival or retro”, although he declined to elaborate.

On the last day of 2012, Lamborghini released a video titled “100 Years of Innovation in Half the Time” that contained footage of its past and present. A few days earlier, it had posted another clip celebrating the connection between the Aventador and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, both of which make extensive use of carbon fiber technology.

The two videos, along with a gallery of Lamborghinis’ models throughout the years, are available for your viewing pleasure right after the break.

By Andrew Tsaousis

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