Lamborghini Jarama

Vehicle Overview

The Lamborghini Jarama, designed by Bertone, was created to replace the Islero as it no longer complied with US regulations on safety and polluting emissions, which became stricter than those of the 1960s. Despite the presence in the Lamborghini range of the Espada, a 2-door, 4-seater, it was intended for comfort and performance, it was chosen to replace the Islero also because of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s predilection for 2+2 cars. His adventure in the world of cars was born from a 2+2, the Lamborghini 350 GT. The name Jarama was chosen by Ferruccio Lamborghini in honor of the region with the famous breeding of fighting bulls. After the departure from Sant’Agata Bolognese of chief engineer Gianpaolo Dallara, the task of creating an heir to the Islero was assigned to his former assistant and now promoted chief engineer Paolo Stanzani. Engineer Stanzani used the floorpan and mechanicals of the Islero as the starting point for the Lamborghini Jarama but ensured that it met U.S. regulations and could be fitted with a new, more modern but still 2+2 bodywork by Marcello Gandini for Bertone. The bodywork of the pre-series examples was assembled by Carrozzeria Marazzi in Caronno Pertusella, while the production examples were produced at Carrozzeria Bertone’s Grugliasco plant. In 1972 some examples were assembled at Marazzi, with body panels molded by Bertone. The Lamborghini Jarama was a luxury grand tourer rather than a sports car in the absolute sense, and therefore the 2+2 configuration pushed the designer toward a fastback coupe with a roofline that descended to the luggage compartment. The boxy design, however, did not shine in terms of formal balance because of a tail that was too massive and imposing and unbalanced in relation to the body of the car. Certainly the slim pillars and the absence of moldings along the sides, which in themselves are unbalanced, lighten the look of the car. Large light-alloy wheels with attachment winglets and appropriate wheel arches are an integral part of the design and lend much of the sportiness to the line along with the successful front end. The Lamborghini Jarama line was very different from that of other Lamborghinis seen up to that time but took up some of its salient features, such as the low, wide front end, twin circular headlights and taut lines similar to those of the “big sister” Espada. In addition, Gandini added a small spoiler integrated into the roof, two air intakes on the hood, and retractable headlight eyelids partially similar to those on the Alfa Romeo Montreal. The Lamborghini Jarama interior is upholstered completely in leather and soft carpeting, and the car has a wooden steering wheel, shift lever knob, and dashboard. The instrumentation has circular dials grouped under an anti-reflective black dashboard. The front seats are comfortable and suitable for a classy GT while the rear seats are sacrificed and more suited to the size of two children while being as trim as those in front. Air conditioning was part of the standard equipment while an interesting accessory was the sunroof that opened in 2 separate longitudinal sections. The dramatic effect of this accessory is remarkable and makes the only 21 Lamborghini Jarama examples that adopted it even more unique. The mechanicals, common to all front-engine Lamborghinis, were first-rate. The 3929 cm³ 4-camshaft V12 engine with its 6 generous Weber carburetors delivered 325 hp. Lamborghini’s 5-speed gearbox was very robust, well-ratioed and quick in both sport and everyday use. The brakes were four-wheel discs and even self-ventilating, a first for the time, and provided extraordinary efficiency and resistance to fading. The main technical difference with the Espada was the shorter wheelbase, reduced from 2.65 to 2.38 meters. This made the Lamborghini Jarama more agile and sporty than the 4-seater, but the “classic” arrangement of the mechanical parts meant that it was more comfortable and usable than the mid-engine Miura; ultimately it was intended to meet the needs of a young couple, perhaps with a young child.

Photo courtesy of Hyman Ltd.