Lamborghini

Tractor manufacturer Ferruccio Lamborghini built his first cars as a hobby, using modified Fiat parts.

Ferruccio Lamborghini was born in Renazzo di Cento, near Ferrara on April 28, 1916. His passion for engines led him to study mechanical engineering in Bologna, after which, during WWII he served as a mechanic in the Italian army's Central Vehicle Division in Rhodes.

Upon his return to Italy after the end of the war, Ferruccio began to purchase surplus military vehicles which he then converted to agricultural machines. Just three years after the end of the war, the Lamborghini tractor factory was designing and building its own tractors. It is hard to say with certainty what made Ferruccio turn his attention from agricultural machinery to luxury sports cars. Perhaps he was simply attracted by the success of his neighbor, Enzo Ferrari. However, legend has it that the idea came to him after a discussion with Enzo Ferrari, when Ferruccio complained about the noisy gearbox in his new Ferrari. It seems that Ferrari's reply was simply "You stick to tractors and let me build sports cars." Ferruccio Lamborghini extended his interests into various fields of engineering, such as heating and air conditioning systems and helicopter design.

While the former were extremely successful, and are still produced today, his attempts to manufacture helicopters were hindered due to complex bureaucratic controls imposed by the government. The idea was finally abandoned. When it became clear that his son, Antonio, had no interest in the automobile business, Ferruccio began to contemplate retirement.

In 1973, Ferruccio sold all his companies, retired to his vineyard in Italy's Umbria province and dedicated his efforts to the production of fine wines. At his estate, La Florita, a grand home surrounded by tennis courts, an Olympic size pool and a museum to house Lamborghini cars, Ferrucio produced a red wine called Colli del Trasimento, and known by everyone as "Blood of the Miura". It was here, at the age of 77, where Ferruccio died on February 20, 1993.