On a lighter note, I’d like to publicize, for the benefit of motorheads undecided about booking a stay with us in the coming weeks, the presence of a historic Lamborghini within walking distance of Poggiosole’s front gate.
Sure its got some surface rust but I’ve heard the owner fire up that engine and, let me tell you folks, it’s an impressive thrum-and-clatter. Plus that factory-installed all-terrain kit you see in my photo means this baby likes the mud as much as asphalt! Second thought: asphalt is probably best avoided ;)
So is that beast really a Lamborghini? Technically yes. Ferruccio Lamborghini founded, amongst other concerns, both a tractor company in 1948 and, after amassing enough wealth selling farming machinery to develop a taste for expensive cars, an automobile company in 1963… the latter reputedly intended to specifically challenge the reigning Italian supercar manufacturer Ferrari and its proud founder Enzo (informative and entertaining bio-video on Mr Lamborghini, his entrepreneurial nous and mechanical genius here).
Both Lamborghini Automobili and Lamborghini Trattori are still making vehicles today, though both brands are wholly owned by larger firms (respectively the Audi subsidiary of Germany’s Volkswagen Group and the Italian farm machinery manufacturer SAME).
As for Poggiosole’s “local Lambo“ I’m guessing it dates from the mid 1970s, as it shares the same style of headlamp and grill as the tractor to the right in the above photo of Ferruccio resting his rump on the hood of a Lamborghini Jarama (produced from 1970 to 1976).
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