One to Buy: ex-Geoffrey Edelsten 1 of 10 RHD 1978 Lamborghini Silhouette P300
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As a consequence of a recessionary mood and some extremely poor management, the 1970s proved Automobili Lamborghini’s nadir.
For much of the decade the company seemed to lurch from one crisis to the next which inevitably put customers off buying a car from Sant’Agata owing to the expectation the firm may not be around to supply parts much longer.
Arguably the poster child for this tumultuous period in Lamborghini’s history was the Silhouette.
Born from the troubled Urraco project which gobbled up a huge investment but delivered little in terms of sales, the Silhouette was essentially a two-seat Targa-topped Urraco suitably restyled by Bertone. However, only 52 Silhouettes were built between 1976 and 1978, at which point production was discontinued as Lamborghini filed for bankruptcy.
Because of this great rarity, the Silhoutte remains one of the most infrequently seen Lamborghinis to come on to the open market. However, currently on offer with Oldtimer Australia in Hamilton, Queensland, is one of the ten right-hand drive examples produced: chassis 40090.
Signed off on January 19th 1978, chassis 40090 was dispatched to Lamborghini’s Australian distributor, Tony de Fina in Victoria.
Configured in Rosso with Nero upholstery, it is believed to have originally been delivered to flamboyant medical entrepreneur, Geoffrey Edelsten of Sydney.
Although the car currently displays a number of incorrect features with regard to the interior fixtures and upholstery, Silhouettes are so rarely seen we just had to feature it.
Having covered a believed genuine 21,600km from new, chassis 40090 represents a rare opportunity to buy and restore on of the rarest amborghinis ever built.
