1967 Lamborghini 1R

51 Bids Winner - hazeldene
1:43 PM, 28 Oct 2024Vehicle sold
Sold for

£7,590

(inc. Buyer’s Premium)
Winner - hazeldene
consigner image

Mark's review

Mark Livesey - Consignment Specialist Message Mark

“ From a private collection, this example is fully working and can hit speeds of up to 15 mph! ”

This is the last 1R model made with the famous orange and blue colours, and the first with the square front-end styling

Background

After serving as a mechanic in the Regia Aeronautica during WW2, Ferruccio Lamborghini set up a small car and motorcycle repair shop near Modena before branching out into the manufacture of tractors using surplus military hardware and, initially, Morris engines.

Within a few years tractor production was up to 200 units a week and the war surplus had pretty much run out.

In 1957 Lamborghini launched the range that remained closest to the founder’s heart - the ‘Lamborghinetta’, which was powered by an in-house designed and built 2-cylinder engine.

These little tractors were economical, powerful and reliable and would prove ideal for light agricultural users such as viticulturists.

By the mid-1950s Lamborghini Trattori SpA of Cento, near Bologna, had become one of the largest agricultural equipment manufacturers in Italy, a happy state of affairs that no doubt prompted Lamborghini's declaration, “A tractor a day keeps the misery away!”

Flush with cash from his success in tractors and air conditioners, and following an argument with Enzo Ferrari about an unsatisfactory clutch in his recently purchased Ferrari 250GT, Ferruccio decided to start building his own luxury cars in 1963.

Lamborghini Trattori is still in business and building tractors today.

The well-known Cotswold farmer and publican Jeremy Clarkson has one.

When Ferruccio died in 1993 fans might have expected his final journey to have been made atop one of the marque’s fire-breathing V12 supercars.

Instead, and entirely appropriately, it was a ‘Lamborghinetta’ tractor that carried Ferruccio’s coffin to the cemetery in Sant’ Agata Bolognese.

Key Facts


  • All Original Equipment
  • Very Rare
  • Final iteration of the orange & blue colour

  • 21955
  • 4135 miles
  • 1400cc
  • manual
  • Blue
  • Orange
  • N/A
  • Diesel

Vehicle location
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Background

After serving as a mechanic in the Regia Aeronautica during WW2, Ferruccio Lamborghini set up a small car and motorcycle repair shop near Modena before branching out into the manufacture of tractors using surplus military hardware and, initially, Morris engines.

Within a few years tractor production was up to 200 units a week and the war surplus had pretty much run out.

In 1957 Lamborghini launched the range that remained closest to the founder’s heart - the ‘Lamborghinetta’, which was powered by an in-house designed and built 2-cylinder engine.

These little tractors were economical, powerful and reliable and would prove ideal for light agricultural users such as viticulturists.

By the mid-1950s Lamborghini Trattori SpA of Cento, near Bologna, had become one of the largest agricultural equipment manufacturers in Italy, a happy state of affairs that no doubt prompted Lamborghini's declaration, “A tractor a day keeps the misery away!”

Flush with cash from his success in tractors and air conditioners, and following an argument with Enzo Ferrari about an unsatisfactory clutch in his recently purchased Ferrari 250GT, Ferruccio decided to start building his own luxury cars in 1963.

Lamborghini Trattori is still in business and building tractors today.

The well-known Cotswold farmer and publican Jeremy Clarkson has one.

When Ferruccio died in 1993 fans might have expected his final journey to have been made atop one of the marque’s fire-breathing V12 supercars.

Instead, and entirely appropriately, it was a ‘Lamborghinetta’ tractor that carried Ferruccio’s coffin to the cemetery in Sant’ Agata Bolognese.

Video

Overview

This fabulous tractor, like many others that have come our way, is part of the private collection of Ermes Formilan, a legendary restorer, a personal friend of Ferruccio’s son, Tonino Lamborghini, and a man whose family restoration company - Garage 961 - is the only tractor restoration business officially sanctioned and approved by the Museo Ferruccio Lamborghini.

But here’s the thing.

This particular tractor is so special precisely because it hasn’t been restored by Ermes, Garage 961 or anyone else for that matter.

It is entirely and wholly authentic, original and unrestored.

This very rare 1967 1R tractor is a variation that was only produced for one year, from March 1966 to March 1967.

It is the last version of the famous twin-cylinder tractor and is powered by a 1.4-litre twin-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine producing 26 horsepower. Power is delivered via a four-speed manual transmission with both high and low final-drive ratios.

It was also the last iteration of the 1R to feature the iconic orange and blue livery, and the first model with the restyled square bonnet and dashboard.

Before Ermes bought this tractor to the UK in 2019 it had been the property of one man (and later his son) from new.

The son gave the tractor the same diligent curation and care as his father had done, ensuring that it was always optimally maintained and kept in the extraordinary condition you see today.

Ermes tells us that this much-loved tractor was always treated as if it was a member of the family.

Exterior

Ermes bought this tractor for his private collection for the simple reason that it was one of the best-preserved tractors he’s ever seen.

And he’s seen a lot of tractors.

The chassis is still in its original blue paint and the tractor sits on its original Pirelli tyres.

All the parts you can see date from the time it left the factory in 1967, including the front badge and lamps.

The originality is all the more remarkable when you consider that this was a working tractor that was in daily use throughout the 1970s and beyond.

Interior

Obviously, in common with most old tractors, the inside of this one is on the outside.

But there’s still plenty of charming period detail to capture your attention.

As you might expect, the instrumentation is minimal, but practical, functional and relevant nonetheless.

As with everything else on this tractor, the main gauge showing the engine’s RPM is still the original, as is the oil gauge. Both are in perfect working order.

The levers for gear selection and other engagement activities are alloy, and the slender, three-spoke Bakelite steering wheel has retained its original boss.

The large orange seat is embossed with the Lamborghini script on the seatback.

Mechanical

This tractor is powered by a reliable Tipo FL2 1462cc two-cylinder diesel engine delivering roughly 26 hp.

The tractor is equipped with a power take-off, allowing various pieces of mechanical farm equipment to be run from the engine.

Low and high-ratio gearboxes help ensure that the tractor can capably navigate even the muddiest of hillside farms and vineyards with relative ease.

Ermes tells us that the tractor runs very well and starts on the first turn of the starter motor.

History

The original logbook shows that the tractor was only registered for road use in 1968, having spent the preceding year entirely with the confines of the family farm.

Before its delivery to the UK in 2019, it was fully checked and serviced by Garage 961.

Summary

This Lamborghini has survived in perfect, untouched condition, fully equipped with all of its original parts. Only the orange parts have ever been repainted – and that was many years ago.

Normally, we make a point of telling everyone that the latest Lamborghini tractor to pass through our portals has been restored by Ermes himself or by his son’s business, Garage 961.

Today, we’re here to tell you that it hasn’t – and that’s what makes this extraordinary 1967 1R so exceptional.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £8,000 - £10,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular vehicle is located with the vendor in Cambridge. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the Contact Seller button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

About this auction

Seller

Private: ermes


Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.

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