In the Rotunda

In September the Rotunda played host to a Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2, with an interesting history, including an appearance in a Beatles’ music video.

Words by Jesse Crosse Photography by Martyn Goddard

DESIGNED BY Ferruccio Lamborghini and Carlo Andeloni, the first Lamborghini was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1964. This 400GT 2+2 was manufactured in 1967 in Alfa Red with a black interior. Bearing the chassis number 1150, it was one of five cars converted to RHD by Lamborghini for the UK importer of the day and registered in the UK in January 1968. The 400GT is powered by a 3929cc, all-alloy V12 engine driving through a five-speed manual gearbox which has a long, but satisfyingly accurate shift quality. With 320bhp and 262lb ft torque,

the Lamborghini can reach a top speed of 155mph and accelerates to 60mph in 7.5 seconds.

The first owner was the Star Group of Companies, said to have been owned by EMI, The Beatles’ record label. The Lamborghini is thought to be the same car that appears in The Beatles Anthology video outside a building in London on which The Beatles were giving a rooftop performance. In conversation with Sir Paul McCartney for a feature in the November 2020 issue of Octane magazine, Mark Dixon discovered that it is possible the ex-Beatle

The car’s first owner was a company owned by The Beatles’ record label; it is thought to have been used by Paul McCartney.

actually owned the car, although absolute confirmation is lost in the mists of time.

The car has been restored twice, by XK engineering via Tom Hartley Jnr, at which point the colour change was made to silver grey. Although restorations usually retain the original colour, on this occasion it was considered red didn’t flatter the car’s lines so the change was made. The restoration was updated in 2014 by Ferrari specialist, Bob Houghton, under the guidance of legendary test driver, Valentino Balboni and in 2019 the car was certified by Lamborghini’s heritage centre, Lamborghini Polo Storico.

The Lamborghini was on display courtesy of Peter Read, 1-14 September 2020.