Jarama marked the culmination of the founder’s work and held a special significance for him. Despite receiving mixed feedback from critics and customers, Ferruccio regarded it as the perfect fusion of sporty performance and everyday functionality. The Jarama’s extravagant design, characteristic of Lamborghini vehicles, set a bold precedent for the brand’s future cars with its sleek and angular aesthetics.
Source: Wallpaper Flare
If we compare the feedback on the extravagant Lamborghini models of the late 60s and 70s, then Jarama was probably the most criticized. The journalists and then clients didn’t like it, telling that the quality of the car could be better for such a price. The panel fittings that received the most criticism were not the highest quality: the dashboard looked cluttered, and illogically labeled switches and controls annoyed the owners of this sports car. In a word, there was room for refinement. Significant changes came two years later in the form of the Jarama S or GTS.
Source: Pinterest
The American market had always played an important role in the European automotive industry. In the early 70s, when safety standards changed in the US and emission restrictions were widely applied, European automakers faced the problem of not meeting these standards. Lamborghini, which was “gaining momentum” overseas, faced additional difficulties due to the expense of the design features of its vehicles. Ferruccio Lamborghini knew that it was impossible to redesign the Islero and decided to replace it with a new Jarama model built on a shortened to 2378 mm Espada front-engine platform. It, like its predecessor, had a front engine, a 2 + 2 saloon, and the same pronounced angular forms of the coupe body, again proposed by the founder of the brand. The name of the model was appropriate, in honor of the Spanish river, where the fierce fighting bulls lived. The project was led by Paolo Stanzani, as chief engineer, and Marcello Gandini from Bertone worked on the design of the coupe. The first 400 GT series (1970-1972) shared a 3.9-liter V12 with 350 hp with the previous Islero model. On the second series, the 400 GTS (1972-1976), power increased to 365 hp, and the air intake on the hood became larger. The price of the first automobile was about $23,500 (GT version), and later models (GTS version) cost $29,900, which is $155,000 or $187,000 if taking into account inflation. During the entire production, from 1970 to 1976, 328 automobiles left the assembly line – 176 from the first series and 152 from the second.
Source: Road & Track
The Jarama of 1975 release, stood out from its predecessors with a low wedge-shaped silhouette, twin headlights half-covered by electrically operated metal panels, and two NACA air intakes on the hood. In 1975, this sports vehicle’s power increased to 365 hp, and the Torqueflite automatic transmission appeared on the options list. Also, it became heavier, about 1340kg, which was reflected in the dynamics. In addition, from 0 to 100 km/h the vehicle accelerated in 6.8 seconds to a top speed of 165 mph. The bumpers were changed on the outside, and the windscreen wipers worked in parallel, while on the first models, they folded together in the center. In addition, the fake Miura-style wheels were replaced with Campagnolo five-bolt blocks like on the Espada. As it was a luxury grand tourer, it had high-quality leather trim, a spacious and comfortable interior with two extra seats in the back, and a large trunk. The front seats of the later GTS version were redesigned to allow for more room in the back. Also, the upgraded dashboard system was installed. The decent size trunk showed the vehicle was a full-fledged grand tourer. Even though this extravagant automobile was one of the most underrated cars of the brand, overshadowed by its successors, it still became an important part of the brand’s history paving the way for more iconic automobiles. iconic machines.
Source: Flickr
In July 2022, Bring a Trailer listed a rare 1975 edition for $45,000. Before this, the car belonged to a Canadian collector who purchased a bright orange automobile in 2016.
Contact us if you have this or another classic car to sell.
| Mon - Fri Saturday Sunday |
9am - 6pm 9am - 3pm Closed |