The Odd 1960s Lamborghini: The 400 GT Flying Star II
Eccentric Masterwork - Even in a world now shaped by electric hypercars and aerodynamic precision, there’s something captivating about the experimental spirit of earlier decades—an era when designers trusted intuition more than computers and weren’t afraid to create shapes that challenged expectations. One of the most unusual results of that free-form creativity emerged in the 1960s: the Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II. This peculiar machine was tied closely to Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, the same Milan-based coachbuilder that had crafted the very first Lamborghini, the 350 GT, back in 1964, establishing a strong working relationship with Automobili Lamborghini during the brand’s formative years.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is worked by a Milan-based coachbuilder,Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera in the 1965. (Picture from: LamboCars)
Touring’s roots stretched back to its founding in 1926 by Felice Bianchi Anderloni, and the company quickly became celebrated for graceful designs and its patented “superleggera” construction method. Despite its reputation, its operational life was shorter than its influence, and by 1966 financial pressures forced the company to close. Before shutting down, however, Touring managed to showcase two final projects at the 1966 Turin Auto Show: a Fiat 124 Convertible and the even more eye-catching Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II, which would unintentionally become the firm’s final original design before disappearing from the industry.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is built based on the 400 GT chassis has been shortened of 10 cm. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
The Flying Star II arrived during a moment when Italian coachbuilders were simultaneously working on Lamborghini commissions. At the same time Touring was shaping its prototype, Carrozzeria Zagato—another Milan-based atelier—was building the Lamborghini 3500 GTZ, designed by Ercole Spada. Both vehicles were completed in 1965, illustrating how multiple design philosophies coexisted at once. Touring’s contribution was overseen by Carlo Anderloni, son of the company’s founder, who led the project intending to push the boundaries of what a grand touring Lamborghini could look like.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II appear with angular body lines, as well as a controversial roof design, making it look like a station wagon rather than a sports car. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
Technically, Touring built the Flying Star II on a 400 GT chassis shortened by 10 centimeters from the standard version, a change that already altered its stance and proportions. Beneath the front hood sat Lamborghini’s V12 engine connected to a five-speed all-synchromesh differential, generating 320 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque. These numbers positioned the prototype among the high-performing GT cars of the era. Yet for all the engineering competence behind it, the car’s most unforgettable aspect was undeniably its appearance, which diverged dramatically from the flowing forms typically associated with mid-1960s Italian sports cars.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is powerd by a front-mounted V12 engine coupled with 5-speed all-synchromesh differential. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
The Flying Star II featured sharp, angular body lines and a highly controversial roof design that made it resemble a shooting brake or even a two-seat station wagon. Its size also appeared disproportionate—visually large despite being intended only for two occupants and their luggage. Touring initially presented the prototype at its factory wearing Borrani’s 15-inch wire wheels, but by the time it appeared under the spotlights at the Turin Auto Show, those had been replaced with newly developed Campagnolo cast magnesium alloy wheels. Still, even with the wheel update, Ferruccio Lamborghini and the company’s board reportedly felt the design fell short of expectations, describing it as disappointing and misaligned with the image they wanted for Lamborghini.
Although its reception was far from enthusiastic, the Flying Star II nonetheless earned its own entry in Touring’s production logbooks as the final car the company ever designed before closing in 1966. Touring would then lie dormant for four decades until its revival in 2006, when the name returned with fresh ambition. Two years later, the reborn company introduced the A8GCS Berlinetta at the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance 2008—a Maserati-based V8 prototype that would go on to win the title of “most beautiful supercar of the year” at the 2009 Automobile International Festival in Paris. Today, the Flying Star II stands as one of the strangest and boldest interpretations ever applied to a Lamborghini, a reminder of a moment when creative risk overshadowed predictability and when even a misfit could etch itself into automotive history. *** [EKA [11092021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAMBOCARS | SHARONOV | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET ]
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The Odd 1960s Lamborghini: The 400 GT Flying Star II
The Flying Star II arrived during a moment when Italian coachbuilders were simultaneously working on Lamborghini commissions. At the same time Touring was shaping its prototype, Carrozzeria Zagato—another Milan-based atelier—was building the Lamborghini 3500 GTZ, designed by Ercole Spada. Both vehicles were completed in 1965, illustrating how multiple design philosophies coexisted at once. Touring’s contribution was overseen by Carlo Anderloni, son of the company’s founder, who led the project intending to push the boundaries of what a grand touring Lamborghini could look like. 
Although its reception was far from enthusiastic, the Flying Star II nonetheless earned its own entry in Touring’s production logbooks as the final car the company ever designed before closing in 1966. Touring would then lie dormant for four decades until its revival in 2006, when the name returned with fresh ambition. Two years later, the reborn company introduced the A8GCS Berlinetta at the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance 2008—a Maserati-based V8 prototype that would go on to win the title of “most beautiful supercar of the year” at the 2009 Automobile International Festival in Paris. Today, the Flying Star II stands as one of the strangest and boldest interpretations ever applied to a Lamborghini, a reminder of a moment when creative risk overshadowed predictability and when even a misfit could etch itself into automotive history. *** [EKA [11092021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAMBOCARS | SHARONOV | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET ]
