How Ferrari accidentally created its biggest rival – Lamborghini
- This is the epic story behind the Ferrari and Lamborghini rivalry
- It all started with Ferruccio Lamborghini and Enzo Ferrari
- The dispute led to the creation of one of the best supercar brands in the world
Published on Aug 16, 2024 at 11:55 AM (UTC+4)
by Nalin Rawat
Last updated on Aug 16, 2024 at 8:22 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
If you are an automobile enthusiast, you’ll already know about the epic rivalry between Ferrari and Lamborghini.
But, it is still quite surprising to hear how Enzo Ferrari accidentally created his biggest rival.
The story of their decades-long rivalry has even been adapted into a 2022 American film — Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
The epic story behind the Ferrari and Lamborghini rivalry
Let’s go back to the year 1963 when Lamborghini still manufactured tractors.
Ferruccio Lamborghini was unhappy with the clutch on his Ferrari as it broke too easily.
He eventually drove to the neighboring village of Maranello to meet Enzo Ferrari himself.
This historical meeting would also change the fate of the automobile industry and mark the beginning of Lamborghini.
Similarly, the automobile brand Pagani was also birthed from Lamborghini’s questionable decision.
Stories like this are a dime a dozen in the automobile world.
Just recently, we also saw the birth of a new hypercar brand called Nilu27, whose founder worked on the Bugatti Chiron and Koenigsegg Gemera.
But let’s get back to that meeting in the 1960s.
Lamborghini explained to Ferrari that the clutch was bad and asked what he could do to make it last longer.
Unfortunately, Enzo Ferrari didn’t listen to the constructive criticism and rejected Ferruccio’s concerns.
“Let me make cars. You stick to making tractors,” said Enzo Ferrari.
Fighting talk, if ever we’ve heard it.
The birth of Lamborghini
Furious, Ferruccio drove home and made a fateful decision.
He would also build sports cars, and they would be faster and better than Enzo Ferrari’s.
In just 4 months, he built a factory and completed his first car — the Lamborghini 350 GT.
Their first car was quite well received and a total of 120 cars were built over the next two years.
In 1965, they also revealed the iconic Lamborghini Miura, which put the automaker on the map.
The rest – as they say – is history.
The two car brands have been going at it ever since, on the track, on the roads, and in the minds of enthusiasts.
That’s how Ferrari accidentally created its biggest rival — Lamborghini.
Nalin started his career by working with various national newspapers in India. He has also worked as a writer/editor for many popular websites, while still pursuing his journalism and mass communication degree. Working as a digital nomad has allowed him to inform and educate through his work. When he is not writing, you can find him playing video games or travelling the mountains on his bike.
