Lamborghini Jalpa, 1985
Lamborghini Jalpa
Lamborghini Jalpa•
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Chassis No.: ZA9J00000FLA12209
Engine No.: 12209
Registration: C721 EUL
The Lamborghini Jalpa V8 replaced the Urraco and the Silhouette in 1981 and sold alongside the flagship Countach V12 as Lamborghini’s ‘junior’ offering through the 1980s, being designed to take the fight to Ferrari and their similarly-sized 308 series. In true Sant’Agata fashion, the Jalpa was named after a breed of fighting bull (‘Jalpa Kandachia’) and featured aggressive Bertone-designed wedge-shaped bodywork. Powering this mid-engine beauty was a 3.5 litre quad cam V8 fed by Weber carburettors that produced 255bhp at a heady 7000rpm, giving the Jalpa a top speed of 145mph and a zero to sixty time of around six seconds – certainly a match for the Prancing Ponies from Maranello!
Only 410 examples of the Jalpa were produced from 1981 until 1988; of those, only 35 were made in righthand drive and it is believed that only around 25 still survive in that mode today, making this a rare car indeed.
Supplied new by Portman Lamborghini of London in September 1985, this Jalpa was used as their demonstrator and has had just five further owners since. Our vendor purchased from Mr Rees who acquired the car in 2010 for the second time having previously owned it from 1998 – 2001, buying it from the then second owner who was a good friend, as shown in some photos on file showing them with the car in the late '80s. The car then became available in 2019 and our vendor leapt at the chance to get his hands on this fabulous example
The Jalpa has only covered some 77,000 kms (47,800 miles) from new. In what can only be described as a fabulous history file, the car demonstrates a good service history comprising 10 stamps in the book plus many invoices for additional maintenance. These include a new clutch kit and various other works by DK Engineering at a cost of £5,111 in September 2004 at 60,000 kms. There is also an Auto Italia magazine feature on the car from September 2008 when it was owned by a Don Haddway who states that he had the car restored by Colin Clarke Engineering following a 10-year period in storage including ‘a full engine rebuild, new exhaust, brakes, hoses and a bit of bodywork’.
The engine rebuild is also mentioned in a subsequent advert for the car although there are no invoices on file to substantiate the engine work.
Being a 1985 model, this Jalpa benefits from the improvements which were made to the car in a 1984 facelift including revised tail lights and body-coloured engine cover and air intakes. Finished in Lunar silver with a black leather interior, it has a removable Targa roof section, also body-coloured, which fits snugly behind the seats when removed. Other features include air conditioning, a CD player with Bluetooth connectivity, stainless steel sports exhaust and Lamborghini's trademark five-speed dog-leg gated gearshift.
In addition to many parts and maintenance invoices, 19 old MoTs and the aforementioned service book and Auto Italia feature, the history file also contains another glowing feature on the car from the October 2006 issue of Practical Performance Car; a favourable five-page technical inspection report by Heritage Car Consultants of Bristol dated March 2001 at 49,222 kms; plus a second condition report dated September 2009 at 68,171 kms by Ferrari and Lamborghini specialist Peter Chambers of Automotive Ltd, Tewkesbury, describing the car as an “extremely clean and a good example”.
Also included is an undated dyno print-out by Mech Motorsport which shows the car producing 229bhp at the wheels and 255bhp at the flywheel; an official ‘Registrare Lamborghini Certificato’ from September 2003 which certifies the car as ‘Eccellente’.
Clearly cherished, this Jalpa is in stunning order throughout and appears highly original and correct with a particularly well-preserved interior. Shod with a matching set of Michelin tyres, it is said to drive as well as it looks and is due to have a fresh MoT in time for the sale. One of the last truly analogue Lamborghinis, the Jalpa retains Lamborghini’s original DNA and was produced in far lower numbers than rival machines from Maranello. Given the way that values of the Countach, Espada and Miura have rocketed, we can’t help feeling that the Jalpa is a car to purchase now while you can still afford to!
