1st Lamborghini in New Zealand – The Story of ARGENTO || 1968 400GT V12

Today I'm gonna tell you a story. A story of ambition, precision, and quiet confidence. A story shaped by hand in Italy and carried halfway around the globe. Introducing "ARGENTO", a 1968 Lamborghini 400GT 2+2 with a history full of timeless milestones. It all starts back in 1968 when Ferruccio Lamborghini conceives it as the 1st Grand Tourer of the brand, a landmark in automotive history and a statement of intent from a young manufacturer, determined to challenge the establishment and the status quo. Hopes and dreams funnelled into reality and the moment Sant’Agata Bolognese proved the world it could rewrite the history books with a refined sports car, without losing comfort and edge. It took pop culture by storm, stirring competition among other OEM manufacturers who wanted to develop a suitable contender to what is now referred to as the beginning of the Italian Classic Car era and the Dolce Vita. An era characterized by a passion for speed, glamour and freedom. With a note of Nostalgia. At the heart of this magnificent muse lies a Bizzarrini-designed 4.0L V12 with alloy block and heads, 6x Weber 40mm carbs, putting out 320 horsepower at 6500rpm and 373 Nm of torque. Naturally aspirated symphony in motion for this precursors of today's raging bulls. 0 to 100 happens in 6.5sec with a top speed of 250km/h and a dry weight of 1500kg. The 400GT was also known for its stylish and comfortable interiors. The cabin featured leather sport seats in a 2+2 configuration and a classic woodgrain three-spoke steering wheel with the iconic raging bull on it. The two big dials completely dominating the main dashboard, and 4 main service gauges on the side with multiple switches to operate the most diverse functions and quirks. And now a jump into the past, exploring the history of this ballerina on wheels. Uniqueness is the key word here. ARGENTO is one of the very last 400 GT 2+2s built, and the 1st out of 5 factory-built RHD Lamborghini ever produced. Given the bankruptcy of Carrozzeria Touring in 1967, the last few models were built and completed by Carrozzeria Marazzi in 1968, when this exact car left the assembly line as intended. The original owner was Mrs Dorothy Wallace of Randwick, from Sydney Australia. Given the iconic surname, rumour has it that the car belonged to a former Bob Wallace, Lamborghini’s legendary test driver and mechanic. This association adds to the mystique surrounding the car of course. It appeared on many prominent publications at the time, the Newcastle Morning Herald, Racing Car News, and soon after it found itself photographed in front of the "newly opened" Sydney Opera House, cementing its place as a symbol of modern performance and design. In 1969, this 400 GT crossed the Tasman Sea, becoming the first Lamborghini ever imported into New Zealand. In 1986 the car re-emerged on the market, that's where the story takes a cinematic turn. A 16-year-old enthusiast named Paul Clemence spotted the car for sale in Wellington. Wanting to see it in person, he cycled from his home in Christchurch all the way up to Wellington over 2 days, witnessing the passage of Halley’s Comet as well. He was allowed to take the car out of the showroom to photograph it. The next day, he cycled back home for a round trip of 900km. In 1989, ownership passed onto Kenny Smith, widely regarded as one of NZ's longest-serving race car drivers. Under his care, the Lamborghini was placed into storage, where it remained largely untouched for the next 17 years. The long wait ended in 2006, when Paul Halford acquired it, needing only a brake refurbishment before being put back on the road. In 2016, 48 years after the original factory order was placed, Ric Wallace (the original owner) reached out with a box containing the complete paper trail: factory correspondence, shipping documents, spare parts schedules, insurance records, and importation paperwork. The missing piece of the puzzle was finally returned to the car’s custodian. Today, this 1968 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 stands as a living record of Lamborghini’s early ambition and expansion in the Southern Hemisphere. A car whose story is truly significant, and a memento to older times reminding us what's important in life. Not possessions, or assets or wealth, rather memories and unique moments captured along the way. The destination is just the beginning. Arrivederci a tutti e grazie per la visione. Huge Thanks to Paul Halford for making this cinematic feature a reality, and everyone involved in the preservation of this piece of Italian Automotive Art. If you're a collector and would like a similar feature done, please contact me at: racecars.universe@gmail.com SUBSCRIBE to Racecars Universe for more Racing content here: https://www.youtube.com/@racecars.universe?sub_confirmation=1 #ItalianCarCollection #PrivateCarCollection #ClassicItalianCars #Lamborghini #400GT #Lambo #CollezionePrivata #CollezioneFerrari #NewZealandCars #VintageItalianCars #Alfisti