This summer, London Concours will be lit up by Lamborghini's

The 60th anniversary of probably the most exotic and evocative brand of them all, Lamborghini, will be celebrated at the 2023 London Concours, presented by Montres Breguet. In honour of the Sant'Agata-based brand's illustrious history, this summer's exhibition will focus on the rarest and most important V12-powered examples. This event will be a spectacular showcase of the most cutting-edge and powerful supercars ever created. From June 6th through June 8th, the Honourable Artillery Company will host the capital's ultimate automotive summer garden celebration, bringing together some of the world's most spectacular supercars and classics.

The incredibly stylish 350 GT, Lamborghini's very first production model, will be among the vehicles on show at the fantastic Lamborghini exhibit. The 350 GT was unveiled at the 1964 Geneva Auto Show as a response to Ferrari's illustrious Grand Touring offerings. The 350 GT was up to the challenge thanks to its streamlined body by Touring and its sweet, Bizzarrini-designed all-aluminum 3.5-liter V12, which was basically a de-tuned race engine and sent a healthy 280 bhp through a 5-speed ZF manual transmission to the rear wheels. Each finished product was put through rigorous testing for hundreds of kilometres before delivery, with test drivers "exercising" the 158 mph vehicles at high speeds on the autostrada. There were only 120 350 GTs ever produced before they were discontinued in 1966. A motor vehicle of such rarity and historical importance is a rare find indeed.

Lamborghini Miura

When it came out in 1966, the revolutionary Miura shocked the world with its futuristic, impossible-to-believe, mid-engined shape. Many consider it the first supercar, and it definitely has had an effect. The sub-1300-pound Miura, designed by Bertone's Marcello Gandini, was powered by a transversely mounted, mid-mounted 3.9-liter V12 that produced 345 bhp in standard 'P400' trim, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 174 mph. Lamborghini's engineers created the Miura to be as comfortable on the road as it was on the track, making it a more sporty option than the longer-legged 350 GT. Over the course of 764 vehicles' worth of manufacturing, refinement progressed to the point where the wild, high-performance Jota models could generate 440 bhp at a dizzying 8,800 rpm, which was extremely impressive for the early 1970s. The likes of Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, and the Shah of Iran all purchased Miuras during their production runs, so owner's club meetings were likely to be lively and eclectic events. Nearly 60 years after its introduction, this untamed and evocative supercar still amazes.

Countach LP400 (chassis 0001)

Be on the lookout for the Lamborghini Countach, too, because its wacky wedge shape and scissor doors made it everyone's favourite poster vehicle. The Countach, first shown to the public in 1974 as the futuristic, almost delicate LP400, was once again the brainchild of Bertone's creative designers. For the next 16 years, various aerodynamic additions were made to the car, culminating in the "25th Anniversary" version that Lamborghini released as a gift to itself on its 25th birthday. The run-out special, conceived by an individual named Horacio Pagani, boasted a 5.2-liter V12 and a top speed of 183 miles per hour. Already legendary when the last of 1,983 were built in 1990, the Countach's fame has only grown in the years since manufacturing ended.

Diablo VT (1993)

In the same year that they stopped making the Countach, Lamborghini came out with the Diablo, which means "Devil" in Spanish. This car brought the company into the modern era. Gandini, who was famous for making the Miura, was also involved in making this car. It debuted with a 5.7-liter, 485 bhp V12, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with open gating. Over the course of its model life, the Diablo was refined and improved upon, with illustrious performance variants like the SV and the stripped-down, terrifying 595 horsepower SE30 Jota. Following Audi's purchase of the business in 1998, Luc Donckerwolke oversaw a complete redesign of the Diablo, resulting in the more refined 6.0 VT and 6.0 VT SE. This is the swan song for Lamborghinis built in the 20th century, vehicles that oozed charisma and menace.

Audi's first new model after buying Lamborghini was the Murciélago, which came out in 2002. It was thought to be the car that would bring the legendary brand into the 21st century and replace the very old-fashioned Diablo. A new era in Lamborghini design began with the Murciélago, which was softer and curvier than the Diablo and Countach that came before it while still maintaining the brand's signature forward-mounted cabin and wedge shape. The powerful V12 engine was mounted in the middle of the vehicle, and it drove all four axles through a six-speed manual or six-speed 'e-gear' paddle-shift transmission. The LP670 SV, with its elaborate wings, represents the pinnacle of the Murciélago's evolution. It was 30 more horses from its howling V12 and 100 kg lighter than the "standard" LP640, making for pure supercar theatre and an appropriate swan song for a model that is becoming increasingly sought after by collectors.

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In House Editorial Team

IMPERIUM brings together some of the world's most fascinating brands and assets. Each Edition of IMPERIUM, we present the finest products and services the luxury market has to offer in an easy-to-read manner.

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