1976 Lamborghini Silhouette P300

Lamborghini and Carrozzeria Bertone were very busy during the 1970s, introducing new design studies and production models that continually shocked the world. The Miura is considered the first 'supercar' and its arrival in 1966 began sparked a design revolution that would continue to evolve over the years to come. The Miura was followed by the Countach wearing angular and wedge-shaped styling designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone. It was shown for the first time in 1971 with the production version following in 1974.

Lamborghini's mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles during the early 1970s included the Countach with its twelve-cylinder engine, and the eight-cylinder Silhouette and Urraco. The Urraco had a 2+2 seating configuration, a body designed by Marcello Gandini, and intended as a more affordable alternative than other supercars on the market at the time. It rested on a 96.5-inch wheelbase, the same as the Countach, but its length was four inches longer and its width was five inches shorter. The engine initially displaced 2 liters before growing to 2.5-, and 3-liter sizes.

Lamborgini's front-engine models during the early 1970s included the four-seat Espada grand tourer introduced in 1968, and the 2+2 Jarama produced from 1970 through 1976. Both were powered by a 3.9-liter V12-engine, the same size displacement as the Countach, with origins that dated back to the 400 GT 2+2. Both were styled by Marcello Gandini of Bertone.

Lamborghini Silhouette

The Lamborghini Silhouette began as a styling exercise by Italian Carrozzeria Bertone and was presented in 1976 at the Geneva Auto Show. It was based on the Urraco but visually different by its more angular styling and was the first Lamborghini to employ a Targa top roof. Further revisions to the design would later evolve into the Lamborghini Jalpa.

The all-aluminum alloy V8 engine was mounted transversely behind the driver, displaced 2,995.8cc (3.0-liters), and produced 265 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. It was backed by a five-speed manual transmission and zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 6.5 seconds, with a top speed of 162 mph.

The Silhouette P300 was produced in limited numbers, with a mere 53 examples produced. Its production of its predecessor, the Urraco, was much greater, reaching 791 units. Its successor was also built in higher quantities, with 410 built from 1981 to 1988.

The 53 production examples of the Silhouette were built after two prototypes had been tested. The last Silhouette built was used and tested as the Jalpa prototype. Of the 53 examples built, 12 were built with right-hand drive configuration. 31 are currently known to exist.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2010