1970 -1976 Lamborghini Jarama

In 1970 Nuccio Bertone proposed the evolution of the Islero with the Jarama. Conceived for the “gentleman” driver, this car is an ideal mix of elegance and power. It was one of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s favorites who appreciated the excellent combination between the 365 HP and luxurious comfort, without the focussed attention that a Miura or an Espada stirred up. Besides 15 HP, the interior of the Jarama S version, presented in 1972, was completely restyled. Lamborghini made 328 units of the Jarama (Jarama 176 units and Jarama S 152 units).

Lamborghini Jarama made its official debut at the 1970 Geneva Salon. It was named after Jarama bullfighting region in Spain, but many believe it is named after the Jarama racing circuit near Madrid.

Jarama is the last front engined Lamborghini Coupe, but is also the third heaviest Lamborghini (3,480 lb)- after Espada (3230 lb) and LM002 (5,952 lb).

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Posted in: 1970 -1976 Lamborghini Jarama

1981-1988 Lamborghini Jalpa

When the Mimram brothers took over the company in July 1980, establishing the “Nuova Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini”, the new owners did not only start production of the LM 002 off-road, but the evolution of the Silhouette as well, whose main points were: restyling the Bertone designed body, an 8-cylinder engine, expanded to 3.5 liters, with power still at 250 HP, but with far superior driving comfort. With 420 cars built, Jalpa is among the best-sellers – since production stopped in 1988 there were no other 8-cylinders from Lamborghini.

Jalpa - or Baby-Lambo as it was known at the time - made its world debut at the 1981 Geneva Auto Show as a prototype version featuring a rear spoiler that never got into production. The sports car was named after famous breed of fighting bulls. Even if it was a very easy car to drive, it never got the attention it deserve; however it was the best sold Lamborghini V8 model.

A successor for the Silhouette sports car, the Jalpa used the same 3.0-Liter V8 engine (that was also used in the Urraco P300), but enlarged to a 75mm stroke resulting in a 3485 cc displacement. The engine delivered 255 bhp at 7000 rpm and 231 ft-lb torque at 3500 rpm. The sports car made the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 7,3 seconds and was capable of a top speed of 146 mph.

Jalpa was offered in seven exterior colors: white, silver, black, metallic blue, red, gun metal and metallic gold, while on the interior the dashboard featured a new kind of box-shaped instrumentation, new seats and fully adjustable backrests.

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Posted in: 1981 - 1988 Lamborghini Jalpa

Lamborghini Silhouette (1976-1979)

With the Targa roof, the Silhouette - which is the evolution of the Urraco – proposed an alternative open version with the intention of winning over the difficult United States market. The engine, now perfected, which had four overhead camshafts in the 3-litre version, allowed a maximum speed of 260 km/h. And despite this, after two prototypes, only 53 Silhouettes were produced, the last one being used and tested as the Jalpa prototype.

Lamborghini Silhouette made its world debut at the 1976 Geneva Auto Show. It was the first open production model for Lamborghini featuring a 2+ 2 configuration and a Targa roof. The car was named Silhouette in recognition of then current FIA Group 5 regulations. Even if the public received very well the new model, Lamborghini could never sold it on the North American market due to homologation issues.

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Posted in: Lamborghini Silhouette (1976-1979)