The 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT has 12 cylinders because it is powered by a 3.5-liter V12 engine. The engine uses two banks of six cylinders arranged in a V, giving the car the smoothness and high-revving character associated with Lamborghini’s early grand tourers.
The 350 GT was Lamborghini’s first production automobile. Its engine began as a 3.5-liter design created by Giotto Bizzarrini, but engineers Paolo Stanzani and Giampaolo Dallara adapted it for dependable road use. The production version was detuned from the prototype’s racing-oriented specification and paired with a five-speed ZF manual transmission.
The car debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1964, with production beginning in May. Its aluminum V12, independent suspension, and Touring-designed body established Lamborghini as a serious rival to Ferrari. The number 12 can be confused with the engine’s displacement: 3,464cc describes its total size, while V12 describes its cylinder arrangement. Approximately 120 350 GTs were built between 1964 and 1966.