A Lamborghini that has spent most of its life in a barn sounds like the perfect tonic for an auction frenzy, but much as we’d like this one to end on seven figures, we’ve a feeling it may be a little cheaper than that.
After all, the only reason that Lamborghini sports cars existed at all was because of the company’s tractors.
Trattori Lamborghini was founded in 1948 and by the early sixties had proven successful enough for its founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini, to decide to order a Ferrari sports car.
But because Ferrari wouldn’t build one to his specification, he had a row with Enzo Ferrari himself and set up his own sports car firm off the back of the tractor business. The rest, as they say, is history.
Meanwhile, Lamborghini kept ploughing on well into the 1970s (quite literally) with its agricultural business, and the 2R tractor is arguably its most famous work.
The tractor comes with a Treviso registration document along with a copy of its original ownership documents and registration plates from the region in which it was used.
There are no maintenance records or other paperwork however, we can confirm that the tractor has a total of 3815.6 working hours under its belt, which is not a great deal for a tractor its this kind.
It has survived in a dry, rust-free climate and is complete, with a wonderful patina.
This is a traditional vintage tractor, so what you see is pretty much what you get – wheel arches, a bonnet, a very basic dashboard showing oil temperature and fuel level, a seat, wheels, tyres and, well, that’s pretty much it.
The condition of this one is really quite charming. There are light surface marks everywhere and some very light tarnishing to the dash and most of the panels, but not in a way that detracts at all.
Indeed, the patina adds to its charm. It’s a 100% original, unrestored 1965 Lamborghini and that comes with bragging rights as much as it does with character.
There are other perfectly restored examples out these and while this one would be a relatively easy candidate to bring up to that standard such is its structural condition, it would be a real shame to lose 57 years of light weathering and farm duties from its bodywork.
The Lamborghini 2R came not with a DOHC V12 engine, but a simple three-cylinder air cooled diesel – one to shut the purists up if every they tell you that a diesel Lamborghini would be sacrilegious.
The 32bhp three-cylinder air-cooled unit is attached to a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox, with a two-speed transfer case for high and low range, giving eight gears in all.
It starts and runs well and is in good working order, with a very distinctive sound – as you’d expect from an air-cooled diesel three cylinder!Lamborghini-2R-tractor_27.jpg5.44 MB
SUMMARY
This is a fully functional and incredibly charming old thing, ready to work or show. It’s also a hugely important part of Lamborghini’s history and is presented in beautifully original condition.
The patina is glorious, and it’s one of the most significant Lamborghinis ever made – a vehicle without which we’d never have seen a supercar from the company.
Here’s your chance to own a true Italian supercar icon – no, really…
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