Lamborghini is the Italian sports car manufacturer that originally built tractors before it began producing automobiles.
Ferruccio Lamborghini founded his tractor business in 1948 in Cento, Italy. The company initially built agricultural machines using surplus military hardware and components recovered after World War II. Its early tractors helped establish Lamborghini as a successful industrialist before he entered the luxury-car market.
Lamborghini founded Automobili Lamborghini in 1963, aiming to produce refined grand touring cars that could compete with established brands such as Ferrari. The first production model, the 350 GT, appeared in 1964 after the 350 GTV prototype. The company later became famous for dramatic high-performance cars, especially the mid-engine Miura introduced in 1966.
A common mix-up is assuming the tractor and sports-car operations were always the same company. Lamborghini Trattori became part of SAME in 1973, while Automobili Lamborghini followed its own ownership history. The shared origin is Ferruccio Lamborghini and his original tractor enterprise.