February 20th 1993 - Ferruccio Lamborghini died, I was born

Hey Guys
Sometimes things can be so Coincidentally, completely unbelivable..
Exactly 20 Years ago, on February 20th 1993 a little Girl with blonde hair and blue eyes was born in the south of Germany. 58 cm tall and healthy. A regular Baby. On the same Day, Ferruccio Elio Arturo Lamborghini passed away at Silvestrini Hospital in Perugia, Italy, after suffering a heart attack from fifteen days earlier.

The Context between this former little Girl, me, and Ferruccio Lamborghini? I mean, isn't it too random that one automotive-soul passes away and another one is born? On the same Day? I normally don't belive in such "divination"-things, but hey, everything is possible...

I am now writing you, aged 20, trying to share my "Automotive Life" with you, here on the Blog. Ferruccio never had enough and always wanted the best, that's why he started making those Mean Bulls on Wheels.


Ferruccio was born on April 28th in 1916 near Modena in Italy. As he was highly interested in everything mechanical-realated he did studied engineering in Bologna. During the second World War he had to go to Rhodes, Greese, as Ground staff of the Air Force.

Returning from the British captivity he opened a work shop for Tractors and Military Vehicles. Especially the rural Area of the Regio Emilia Romagna needed working machines to cultivate their land. His willing to do, with the right visions on what the people really need allowed him to already start an own firm, in 1949. He now produced tractors with 2-, 3- and 4-cylinder diesel engines, on his own.
In the late 1960s the Lamborghini Tractori SpA moved to another factory and with more than 400 produced vehicles per month Ferruccios Company was one of the most successful in Italy these Days.

After travelling to the US he knew what to do next - producing heating and air conditioning units for private homes and industrial use. After the Bruciatori SpA succeeded in this sector he wanted to finally make his Dream come true - building his own helicopters - but the italian government denied the approval. Ferruccio was now, 1962, 46 years old, one of the richest Italians and still full of power and with both foot full on the ground.

His associates and employees appreciated his intelligence and his open, cheerful, sometimes rustic, direct nature.

So sure he enjoyed life! Already in 1948 he attended the famous Mille Miglia, with a customized Fiat Topolino. But it ended earlier for him, than expected. . . "in a tavern, I entered it the car through the wall."

The following is the well known story on how Ferriccio figured out that he wants to build Sportscars on his own.
As a rich man he owned several luxurycars, like Jaguar, Mercedes, Ferrari or Maserati. But there was one Car he was really dissapointed about, the Ferrari 250 GT. He wanted to talk about it with Enzo Ferrari, but he declined his wish. So Ferruccio instructed his ingenieurs to completely disassemble it and, what he then found out ... Ferrari just used standard pieces. Nothing Special for a, todays, iconic 250 GT.
So the Idea came to built even better Cars.

In 1963 he founded the Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini S.p.A. with its HQ in Sant’Agata Bolognese, in the middle of the "Terra di Motori", next to the Ferrari, Maserati and Ducati plants.
Already the Companys mascot - the bull - was used on the first Lamborghini. It's also Ferruccios Zodiac sign.

The 1970 have been a tough time for Lamborghini. He had to sell 49 percent of the company to the swiss Georges-Henri Rossetti. A Year later another 49 to René Leimer, a colleague of Rossetti. He even sold his Tractor Company to the Same - they are sill building Tractors under the same name today.
He now focused on produced on heaters and made his Son Tonino Lamborghini to its manager.

The patriarch went back on a 32 Hectares estate called La Fiorita, which he had bought the 1971st in Close Panicarola / Umbria, where he lived the life of a wealthy vintner and set up a small private museum.
Ferruccio Lamborghini, who at the time of his life in shirtsleeves comfortable felt, had returned to his roots.

Then, in 1993 Ferruccio Lamborghini died on February 20th onwards a heart attack. He was buried in his hometown Renazzo a Lamborghini tractor pulled the carriage with his coffin. Today, his daughter Patrizia, the winery and the adjacent golf course. His son Tonino heads a Group of companies in the field of fashion, lifestyle, design and luxury.


What I wrote the last two times on my birthday: HOW TO: Celebrate an Automotive Birthday (you'll probably never forget) (2012) and Car of the Week: McLaren Mercedes SLR (2011)


Lisa