One to Buy: 16,000 mile 1988 Lamborghini Jalpa P350
/
In addition to having sanctioned the development of an enlarged 4.8-litre engine for the Countach and a luxury Cheetah-derived off-roader, one of the Mimram Group’s first jobs once it had taken control of Automobili Lamborghini was to green light a successor for the ill-fated Silhouette.
Based on Silhouette-derived underpinnings with much-improved build quality, all the latest safety gear and a bigger 3.5-litre 255bhp V8 with gobs more torque, the Jalpa was also given a cosmetic refresh to bring it more in line with 1980s design trends.
Jalpa deliveries began in 1982 and continued until mid 1988, a little over a year after Chrysler had in turn taken control of Automobili Lamborghini. 410 Jalpas were ultimately completed of which 35 were right-hand drive.
In a time of elevated prices for some really quite pedestrian motor cars, the Lamborghini Jalpa represents seemingly excellent value as demonstrated by chassis JLA12381 which is currently on offer at The Barn, Miami.
Completed in October 1987 and configured in the highly desirable colour scheme of black over tan upholstery, JLA12381 was sold via Motor Coach Lamborghini of Baltimore to a local doctor who retained it until the early 1990s but covered relatively few miles.
Today, this highly original 1988-registered unrestored Jalpa has covered a mere 16,000 miles from new and at $89,900 looks to represent excellent value in classic Lamborghini terms.
