Presented at Geneva in 1967, the Marzal Concept offered Bertone's new chief designer Marcello Gandini the first opportunity to fully step out of the shadow of Giorgietto Giugiaro, who still had had a hand in Gandini's earlier designs including the Miura. The striking Marzal Concept was to some extent a four-seater version of the mid-engined Miura but with dramatic new lines and a bespoke engine. What the Marzal shared with the Miura was the box-section steel chassis that had been first shown to the public at the Turin show in 1965. The only real change was a slight increase of the wheelbase.
In order to make room for a second row of seats, the Marzal could not use the same V12 engine. Instead, Lamborghini's engineers fitted the prototype with a unique straight six. Displacing just under 2 litres, it was effectively the V12 cut in half. Breathing through three twin-choke Weber carburettors, the compact unit produced a very impressive 175 bhp. The engine was mounted behind the rear axle, angled forward 30 degrees for a better weight balance.
The car's most striking feature is the very airy cockpit with unusually large glass surfaces and huge gullwing doors. Bertone understandably developed an air-conditioning system specifically for the car. The car's sharp lines are complemented by angular forms throughout the design. The nose, for example, sported six square headlights and the rear deck consisted of square aluminium slabs riveted together. The luxuriously appointed interior featured a sizeable dashboard and centre console dominated by hexagonal sections. The same theme is used throughout the cabin from the steering wheel centre and the seat cushions.
The car was sold at the Villa d'Este sale in May of 2011 for just over 1.5 million Euro. (ultimatecarpage.com)
In order to make room for a second row of seats, the Marzal could not use the same V12 engine. Instead, Lamborghini's engineers fitted the prototype with a unique straight six. Displacing just under 2 litres, it was effectively the V12 cut in half. Breathing through three twin-choke Weber carburettors, the compact unit produced a very impressive 175 bhp. The engine was mounted behind the rear axle, angled forward 30 degrees for a better weight balance.
The car's most striking feature is the very airy cockpit with unusually large glass surfaces and huge gullwing doors. Bertone understandably developed an air-conditioning system specifically for the car. The car's sharp lines are complemented by angular forms throughout the design. The nose, for example, sported six square headlights and the rear deck consisted of square aluminium slabs riveted together. The luxuriously appointed interior featured a sizeable dashboard and centre console dominated by hexagonal sections. The same theme is used throughout the cabin from the steering wheel centre and the seat cushions.
The car was sold at the Villa d'Este sale in May of 2011 for just over 1.5 million Euro. (ultimatecarpage.com)
(Photos from ultimatecarpage.com, supercars.net, autowp.ru, boldride.com & carstyling.ru)