Lamborghini 400 GT Monza

The Lamborghini 400 GT Monza was a one-off prototype completed in 1966 by the Modenese coachbuilders Neri and Bonacini. Built on chassis number 01030, it was derived from the 400 GT “Interim” platform and powered by the 3,929 cc V12 engine producing approximately 320 hp at 6,500 rpm. Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini, who had previously constructed the chassis for the 350 GTV prototype and early 350 GT production models, were commissioned to create a unique two-seat sports coupé for a private client. The car was reportedly intended for entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans, although it never competed due to homologation issues. The aluminum body was hand-formed in Neri and Bonacini’s workshop, with the design evolving through several iterations before completion. The final form featured a long bonnet, sharply sloping windscreen, and a truncated Kamm tail. The roofline incorporated a thick C-pillar with an integrated roll bar, providing structural rigidity and rollover protection. Functional and non-functional vents were sculpted behind the front wheel arches, while the car’s visual identity was marked by “400 Monza” badging. The overall silhouette shared characteristics with contemporary Italian GTs such as the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada and Lamborghini Miura, combining aerodynamic efficiency with muscular proportions. Mechanically, the Monza retained the 400 GT’s tubular steel chassis with independent suspension by unequal-length wishbones and coil springs, four-wheel disc brakes, and a five-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. The aluminum body contributed to a reduced overall weight compared to the standard 400 GT, enhancing performance potential despite its limited testing. The car debuted publicly at the 1967 Barcelona Motor Show on Lamborghini importer Amato’s stand, where it was purchased by a Spanish collector. The 400 GT Monza remained with the same family for nearly three decades before resurfacing in 1996 and eventually being sold at a Bonhams auction in London in 2005 for £177,500.