Go bankrupt and then come up with the LM 002 – after this then…
In 1978 the Lamborghini brand went bankrupt and came under the rule of the Italian government, after which the Mimran brothers continued the company in 1980. They started working on new models, of which the LM 002 is best known. But the Silhouette was also tackled in order to market a model that was more accessible to a wider public. That became the Jalpa, which was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1981. Incidentally, together with the LM 001 – a prototype of the LM 002. Production of the Jalpa started in 1982, which was built until 1988, although some sources report until 1991.
The Jalpa was not really innovative, because it was strongly based on the Silhouette, which was again an upgrade of the Urraco. Nevertheless, the Jalpa was successful. Bertone designed the modified body, on the instructions of Giulio Alfieri who had entered Lamborghini’s service. The V8 engine was slightly enlarged and the concept of the targa roof was maintained. After slight adjustments, the engine was also suitable for the American market – there the block delivered 250 hp, in Europe 255 hp.
With 410 Lamborghini Jalpas sold. Or 420, is also possible
The first models were delivered with bumpers and air intakes in black plastic. They became available in the body color in 1984. Optionally, you could equip the Jalpa with a gigantic rear spoiler.
A total of 410 Jalpas were sold (Lamborghini itself speaks of 420 pieces, so that could just be the case). At that time, the model was the best-selling Lamborghini ever after the Urraco. In 1987, when the Mimran brothers sold the company to Chrysler, Lamborghini’s new leadership pulled the plug on the Jalpa. The company received a financial injection to develop new models. Although there is a gap in time between the models, you could say that the Gallardo, which came on the market in 2003, is actually the successor to the Jalpa. Incidentally, the Jalpa is sometimes also called Jalpa P350, or Jalpa P3500.
Two roofless Jalpas are known, which the factory made as a prototype after Bertone first built an ‘unofficial’ prototype called Athlon. We do not count the prototypes of Lamborghini itself in the total production number. It seems that both prototypes were later sold to Ferruccio’s son, Tonino, who wanted to restore them for his museum.
Because quite a few Jalpas have been sold, the prices are reasonable: for 80,000 euros you have one. However, the prices for real top specimens can rise to around one and a half tons.
Where does the name Jalpa come from?
In this case again from bulls. The Jalpa should be a Spanish breed of bulls. In any case, they are not from the pedigree of Miura bulls, because it does not show a sub-breed or subspecies with the name Jalpa.
Production Quantity
410
Production period
1981-1988 (or 1991)
Specifications Lamborghini Jalpa
3,485cc V8
255/250 hp
0-100 km/h in 6.0 s
top 249 km/h
Models
Prototype (1 pieces, but actually a Silhouette)
Jalpa (410 pieces)
Jalpa Spyder (2 pieces as prototype)
