1985 Lamborghini Jalpa P350 GTS

Change is inevitable, and change is constant. Embracing changes is a step towards new opportunities and growth. Lamborghini's history is a lesson in change; from front-engined grand tourers to mid-engine supercars. They have explored new avenues but have consistently remained steadfast in their core values of groundbreaking technology and exclusivity.

As the 1970s were coming to a close, the muscle car era in the United States was nearing its end, as safety became paramount, insurance premiums rose considerably, and new emission regulations were introduced. This would continue into the 1970s, hastened by the oil crisis of 1973 and an industry-wide endeavor to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. Supercars were on the chopping block, and the industry suffered as tastes shifted towards smaller and more economical alternatives.

Perhaps forecasting this change, Lamborghini introduced a smaller and less expensive model to complement its V12-powered cars in 1970. It was dubbed the Urraco P250 and this four-seater retained the Miura's basic mid-engine layout, but employed a compact 2.5-liter V8 engine instead of a transverse 4.0-liter V12. A two-seater version followed in 1976, the Bertone-styled Silhouette, powered by the Urraco P300's four-cam, 3.0-liter V8. Production of the Silhouette was brief, perhaps due to Lamborghini's famous financial struggles of the era, and just 52 examples were built. The Urraco followed suite a year later, in 1979, ending the concept of a smaller V8-engined Lamborghini.

The Lamborghini Jalpa

As a new decade began, Lamborghini soon introduced another 'Junior' model, the Jalpa. As a development of the earlier Uracco and Silhouette, the styling of the Jalpa was conceived and executed by Bertone, receiving somewhat more aggressive lines, mainly in the side treatment of the body. The Targa-style two-seater was powered by a quad-cam V8 engine with its capacity increased to 3.5 litres (3,485cc). Mounted transversely, fuel flow was managed by four twin-barrel down-draught Weber 42 DCNF carburetors, and it was paired with a five-speed synchromesh manual transaxle. It produced 255 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 225 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM in European specification. The U.S.-destined examples produced 250 bhp.

The Lamborghini Jalpa rested on a 96.5-inch wheelbase, had an overall length of 170.5 inches, a width of 74 inches, and stood 44.9 inches tall. It had a fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.

The potent engine paired with aerodynamic coachwork courtesy of Giulio Alfieri, the Jalpa had a top speed of around 155 mph. Zero to sixty mph took 6.0 seconds.

Production lasted through 1988, with 410 examples built during that time. During its production lifespan, it received only minor changes. In 1984, several black-painted plastic components were replaced with body-color components. The list included the engine cover, air intakes and bumpers. Additionally, round taillights replaced the previous rectangular-shaped lights.

By 1988, under the new ownership of Chrysler, the decision was made to end Jalpa production.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

This Jalpa is one of a very few factory all-white Lamborghinis with a Countach rear wing. It is a Euro spec car delivered in Switzerland to its original owner. The 8-cylinder Lamborghini engine is aluminum with a quad cam, four Weber carburetors, and, with a displacement of 3485cc, puts out 275 horsepower.

Coupe

In 1981, Lamborghini debuted its replacement for the Silhouette, the new Jalpa. Again, the Jalpa took its name from a famous breed of fighting bull (a tradition that started with the Miura.) Keeping the targa configuration of the outgoing model, the Jalpa also maintained much of the angular styling penned by the coachbuilder Bertone.

With a more conservative approach to exotic car styling combined with a more drivable configuration compared to the Countach, the Jalpa was intended to compete with the Porsche 911 and the Ferrari 308 as all three were on sale in the United States market.

The engine powering the Jalpa is a 3.5 liter V8 (the outgoing Silhouette had a 3.0L) which produced a respectable 255 horsepower and 225 lb/ft of torque. This, larger displacement engine, allowed the car to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 6 seconds and has a maximum speed of 145 mph.

This car is particularly unique with a factory white paint scheme and the Countach wing installed. While looking for a nice Espada, the owner found this car - originally a Euro-spec car of a Swiss owner - looking for a home in Florida. It has been treated to a major engine refresh by Evans Automotive in Columbus, Ohio. This car has taken ribbons at the Boca Raton and Road America Concours.

Coupe
Chassis number: ZA9J00000FLA 12217

The Lamborghini Urraco P250 was introduced in 1970 serving as a smaller and less-expensive alternative to the company's V12-powered cars. The four-seater Urraco retained the Miura's basic mid-engine layout, but rather than the former's transverse 4.0-liter V12, it used a compact 2.5-liter V8. Complementing the Urraco, a two-seater Bertone-styled Silhouette arrived in 1976, equipped with the Urraco P300's four-cam, 3.0-liter V8. Production of the Silhouette lasted little more than a year, with 52 built; it was gone by 1978. The Urraco followed suit a year later, and the concept of a smaller V8-engined Lamborghini lay dormant until the Jalpa in 1982.

Using the platform of the defunct Silhouette, the Jalpa benefitted from the engineering talents of Giulio Alfieri, who increased the engine's stroke for a capacity of 3,485cc. Output rose to 255 horsepower, endowing the aerodynamic Jalpa to achieve a top speed of around 155 mph. Styling updates included subtly altered rear quarters, different wheels, and a modified chin spoiler. The interior received significant improvements, particularly in its ergonomics.

Production of the Jalpa continued into the 1990s, with a total production of 410 units.

This particular example wears a Rosso Corsa exterior over Tan leather hides. It received an in-depth restoration in 2007 to include a full repaint and interior attention. Recent upgrades include Lamborghini Countach-style wheels (16 x 8 front / 16 x 10 rear) and a new sound system with Bluetooth connectivity.

by Dan Vaughan

At the 1981 Geneva Auto Show the Lamborghini Silhouette replacement, the Lamborghini Jalpa, was debuted. They styling was the work of Bertone which had used the styling-cues from the Silhouette. The result was a super car that was not as angular as its predecessor but with a more modern appeal.

Like many other Lamborghini's, the name Jalpa was borrowed from a breed of fighting bulls. An eight-cylinder engine was mounted mid-ship providing 255 horsepower to the rear wheels. The vehicle was not without its problems but it was described as an easy to drive sports car with excellent handling and performance.

In 1984 the near-production version of the Jalpa was displayed at the Geneva Auto Show. The vehicle had gone through minor aesthetic and mechanical modifications including the circular tail lights. Production continued until July of 1988 after 416 examples were created, making this one of the most successful Lamborghini V8 production vehicle up to this point. Much of the success came from sales in the United States. The Silhouette was unable to be sold in the US due to emission regulations, a hurtle the Jalpa was able to overcome. In the end, sales began to dwindle and the Chrysler owned Automobili Lamborghini SpA decided to halt production of the baby-Lambo. Even with 416 examples produced, the Jalpa is an exclusive vehicle even by today's standards.

by Dan Vaughan

The Lamborghini Jalpa was the spiritual predecessor of the newer Lamborghini Gallardo. Both cars offered mammoth performance levels compared to their contemporary competitors, yet both were overshadowed by their larger, more potent, and wholly uncompromising siblings. In the Jalpa's case, that big brother was the Countach. Stunningly styled by the radical Marcello Gandini, the Countach's fantastic bodywork held one of the most exotic engines in the world at the time, a longitudinally-mounted V12 with high levels of power and higher levels of hostility. The Jalpa was no match.

What the Jalpa lost in sensationalistic press coverage and celebrity glitz, though, it gained back in drivability and exclusivity. The Jalpa's 3.5 liter V8, which produced 255hp at 7,000rpm, was a phenomenal athlete who's much smaller size when compared to the Countach allowed the Jalpa to be a more tractable commuter car. Of course most don't buy a Lamborghini as their city commute daily driver, but the Jalpa had another, less tangible advantage over its Countach counterpart. Only 416 Jalpas were sold. This means that you'll likely see a couple of Countachs rolling around before you notice a single Jalpa. Bigger exclusivity doesn't always equate to bigger price.

Lamborghini introduced the Jalpa to Countach-crazed crowds at the 1981 Geneva Auto Show. A proposed successor to the Silhouette, the car on display was a near-production prototype. It underwent minor changes before being adopted as 1982's production model. Following Lamborghini's tradition of incorporating engine displacement into vehicle designations, the Jalpa was also called the P350 GT or P3500 due to its 3.5 liter engine. The original car, like so many of its contemporaries, had somewhat ungainly black bumpers front and rear, as well as some other bare black body pieces, most notably the large, side-mounted air intakes.

At the 1984 Geneva Auto Show, the Jalpa matured into a better looking car when its black body pieces were replaced by slicker body-colored units. This gave the design a tighter, more cohesive feel. Also incorporated into the face lifted model were circular taillights and minor mechanical improvements. This minor redesign created a car with better looks and better performance than the original.

As Lamborghini's entry-level model, the Jalpa was squarely aimed at taking on the Ferrari 308 and later the Ferrari 328. Like the Jalpa, both Ferraris had attractive angular styling, impressive V8 powerplants, and the available charisma of a targa top, which was standard on the Lamborghini. While the Ferraris offered tastefully proportioned lines by Pininfarina, the Lamborghini took a rather menacing stylistic course. Its huge fenders, squat shape, and striking 16 inch wheels with large discs in the center made the car look almost as alien as the wild Countach. The Jalpa's jutting air intakes and uncompromising lines created a car that looked both purposeful and intimidating. The effect was dramatic and, combined with the car's rarity, meant that seeing a Jalpa on the street was a much more special occasion than noticing one of the relatively high production Ferraris.

Sadly, the Jalpa's rarity meant that Lamborghini was not being helped financially by the slow seller. Chrysler, the owner of Lamborghini at the time of the Jalpa's demise, pulled the plug on this charming Italian for 1988. Always the affordable Lamborghini, the NADA lists the average price of a Jalpa in today's market at right around $25,000. If you like answering questions every time you stop your car, this could be a great alternative to that new Camry.

If you would like to discover more about the Lamborghini Jalpa, try visiting http://www.jalpa.ch/. The through supply of information available here helped make this article possible.

by Evan Acuña