Galleria di Tom Automobili

History

A bold design experiment at a defining moment.

In 1966, Lamborghini was still in its formative years, building its reputation with the elegant 350 GT and 400 GT. At the same time, Carrozzeria Touring—already responsible
for the bodywork of those early models—was seeking to explore new design directions. Their collaboration gave birth to the Lamborghini 4000 GT Flying Star II: a bold and
unconventional shooting brake prototype.

The name “Flying Star” was a revival of Touring’s earlier tradition, first used in the 1930s on Alfa Romeo chassis. This time, applied to a Lamborghini, it signaled a blend
of grand touring performance with forward-thinking practicality. The Flying Star II was never intended as a production car; instead, it was conceived as a design exercise to
test the boundaries of what a Lamborghini could be.

Design

When practicality met radical Italian styling.

Far removed from the smooth, flowing lines of the 350 GT, the Flying Star II introduced a much sharper, more angular silhouette. The shooting brake configuration resulted in a
striking two-door wagon-style profile, low-slung yet purposeful. Large glass surfaces offered a surprising sense of airiness and excellent visibility, while the distinctive
wraparound rear window gave the car a futuristic flair.

Though radical in appearance, the prototype retained elegance through its proportions and detailing. It combined classic Touring craftsmanship with a design language that subtly
hinted at what would later emerge in Lamborghini’s visual identity.

Driving Experience

Familiar grand touring beneath experimental skin.

Beneath its experimental bodywork, the Flying Star II was mechanically based on the Lamborghini 400 GT. That meant a 4.0-liter V12 engine, capable of delivering smooth power and a
refined grand touring experience. Performance was in line with the standard 400 GT, maintaining the balance of comfort and speed expected from Lamborghini’s early GT lineup.

While no extensive driving evaluations are known to exist, the car’s proportions and mechanical familiarity suggest it would have offered a composed and dynamic ride—albeit with a
more spacious rear than its coupe counterparts.

Fun Facts

A one-off that marked the end of an era.

• The Flying Star II was the last Lamborghini designed by Carrozzeria Touring before the company ceased operations later in 1966.
• Only one example was ever built, making it a true one-off.
• Its unique styling and rarity make it a star attraction at prestigious concours events such as Villa d’Este.
• The car’s name pays tribute to Touring’s pre-war “Flying Star” Alfa Romeos—exotic, coachbuilt machines of a different era.

Legacy

An unrealized vision that still resonates.

Though it never reached production, the 4000 GT Flying Star II remains one of the most imaginative designs in Lamborghini’s early portfolio. It demonstrated a willingness to challenge
GT conventions and foreshadowed the brand’s later embrace of extreme and dramatic styling.

Today, it stands as a rare symbol of what Lamborghini might have been had they pursued a broader body-style range. As both a design artifact and a historical footnote, it continues to
captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike—proving that even unrealized ideas can leave a lasting impression.