Lamborghini 400GT Monza
Encyclopedia
The Lamborghini 400 GT Interim Monza was a one-off 2+2 seated sports car
from Italian
manufacturer Lamborghini
. It as based on their 400 GT
, but featured unique bodywork by Neri and Bonacini.
Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini, who were already previously known for their work on the "Nembo" series of Ferraris, had been previously retained by Ferruccio Lamborghini
to build the first prototype Lamborghini chassis and engine, the 350 GTV
. They had acted as Lamborghini's chassis
supplier, before turning that job over to Marchesi once production of the 350 GT
was underway. Neri and Bonacini then turned their hand into their interpretation of a high speed Lamborghini GT sports car.
Originally meant to be called the "400 GT Neri and Bonacini" the name was simply shortened to "Monza". The car was reportedly built for an American client for the possibility of racing it in Le Mans
. However, homologation
problems put a quick end to that plan. The car was eventually sold of at the Barcelona Motor Show to a wealthy Spaniard, where it remained until the owner died in the early 1990s
. In 1996, Brooks
(now Bonhams
) was contacted by the family of the now deceased owner to appraise some other cars, when the 400 GT was discovered in storage. After nine years of negotiations, the car was finally put up for auction at Bonhams for a reported £160,000 to a UK collector.
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
from Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
manufacturer Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian car manufacturer. The company was founded by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with established offerings from marques like...
. It as based on their 400 GT
Lamborghini 400GT
Lamborghini 400GT is the name given to two gran tourismos produced by Italian manufacturer Lamborghini.The first 400GT, commonly referred to as simply the 400GT or 400GT Interim, was essentially the older 350GT featuring an enlarged, 3929 cc V12 engine, with a power output of...
, but featured unique bodywork by Neri and Bonacini.
Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini, who were already previously known for their work on the "Nembo" series of Ferraris, had been previously retained by Ferruccio Lamborghini
Ferruccio Lamborghini
Ferruccio Elio Arturo Lamborghini was an Italian industrialist. Born to grape farmers from the comune of Renazzo di Cento in the Emilia-Romagna region, his mechanical know-how led him to enter the business of tractor manufacturing in 1948, when he founded Lamborghini Trattori, which quickly became...
to build the first prototype Lamborghini chassis and engine, the 350 GTV
Lamborghini 350GTV
The Lamborghini 350 GTV was the prototype and forerunner of the later 350 GT - Lamborghini's first production model. The car was presented to the public on the 1963 Turin Auto Show.-Rejection for production and preparation for show:...
. They had acted as Lamborghini's chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
supplier, before turning that job over to Marchesi once production of the 350 GT
Lamborghini 350GT
The Lamborghini 350 GT was the first production vehicle produced by Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. Production started in May 1964, after its well-received debut at the March 1964 Geneva auto show...
was underway. Neri and Bonacini then turned their hand into their interpretation of a high speed Lamborghini GT sports car.
Originally meant to be called the "400 GT Neri and Bonacini" the name was simply shortened to "Monza". The car was reportedly built for an American client for the possibility of racing it in Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
. However, homologation
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
problems put a quick end to that plan. The car was eventually sold of at the Barcelona Motor Show to a wealthy Spaniard, where it remained until the owner died in the early 1990s
1990s
File:1990s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: The Hubble Space Telescope floats in space after it was taken up in 1990; American F-16s and F-15s fly over burning oil fields and the USA Lexie in Operation Desert Storm, also known as the 1991 Gulf War; The signing of the Oslo Accords on...
. In 1996, Brooks
Brooks
-Places:Canada*Brooks, AlbertaUnited States*Brooks, Arkansas*Brooks, California*Brooks, Georgia*Brooks, Kentucky*Brooks, Maine*Brooks, Minnesota*Brooks, Oregon*Brooks Township, Michigan...
(now Bonhams
Bonhams
Bonhams is a privately owned British auction house founded in 1793. It is the third largest auctioneer after Sotheby's and Christie's, and conducts around 700 auctions per year. It has 700 employees....
) was contacted by the family of the now deceased owner to appraise some other cars, when the 400 GT was discovered in storage. After nine years of negotiations, the car was finally put up for auction at Bonhams for a reported £160,000 to a UK collector.