[3] The 350 GTV's name signified the 3.5 L displacement of the engine, the "GT" for grand tourer and the "V" for the Italian word "Veloce" (meaning "fast").

He reportedly requested styling echoing the Aston Martin DB4's tapering rear bodywork and the sleek front of the Jaguar E-type.

The 350 GTV had many styling details that were unusual at the time of its introduction, including hidden headlamps and six exhaust tailpipes (three on each side of the car's rear).

As workers at Sargiotto were primarily skilled in building molds for plastic products, the 350 GTV's body had numerous fit and finish issues.

Bizzarrini developed a 3.5 litre racing-specification V12 engine, with an output of 255 kW (347 PS; 342 bhp) at 8,000 rpm, and torque of 326 N⋅m (240 lbf⋅ft),[1] using the DIN measurement standard.

The higher redline, compression ratio and timing made the 350 GTV's engine more suitable for competition use rather than as a comfortable road car.

[3][7] A sales brochure was produced and Ferruccio Lamborghini used the unveiling of this prototype to cultivate interest in a production version.

[6][8] The compression ratio and redline were lowered and the camshaft profiles altered to moderate the valve timing.

During the modification process, the car's colour was changed from its original pale blue to deep metallic green at the owner's request.