The Automotive Dream “One man and his dream had not simply left the world with an engine and four wheels; Henry Ford and his Model T had influenced people's everyday lives - where they lived, how they spent their leisure time, even how they viewed themselves.” - Gary...
Jalpa 1985
Written by Irina
Crédit photo - Good Vision Prod
Recent posts
Lagonda 16/80 Special Six 1933
English Touring The car we present to you this week is the Lagonda 16/80 Special Six in the Demers Car Collection. Lagonda was a luxury British car brand that Aston Martin eventually absorbed. Through its association with Aston Martin, it is sometimes hard to remember...
An Introduction to Lagonda
Before Aston Martin “The history of Lagonda cars is synonymous with sophistication, opulence, and groundbreaking performance” - An article for Discovery UK Today, we may recognize the name Lagonda from its association with Aston Martin. Before these two brands...
Cadillac Model A 1903
The Standard of the World “No other American car on the market in the first decade of the century was constructed to higher standards than Cadillac.” - Stephen W. Sears in The Automobile in America Some of you may know that Cadillac has long had the slogan “Standard...
The Forgotten Lamborghini of the 1980s
“Despite the myopia of popular car culture, the Countach wasn’t the only Lamborghini produced in the 1980s.” – Connor Golden for Motor Trend
At a time when the Countach was featured in every car calendar and plastered on every teen’s wall, the Jalpa was also offered for sale. You can see one in the movie Rocky IV, the popular series Miami Vice, or you can find one in the Demers Cars Collection. But the Jalpa is a rare car: Although it was produced for eight years, only a little over 400 were made. This blog article gives you a look at the lesser-known Lamborghini of the eighties: the Jalpa 1985.
The Name
In line with Lamborghini’s tradition, the name “Jalpa” also comes from the field of bullfighting. The “Jalpa” is a Spanish breed of fighting bulls. The Miura, the Urraco and the Gallardo are also named after breeds of fighting bulls. To note, since it is a Spanish word, it is believed that it should be pronounced “Halpa” or “Yalpa” with a Spanish “J,” although this cannot be confirmed.
Its Place in the Lamborghini Lineup
Described as the “entry-level” Lamborghini, the Jalpa is one of the few V8s of the brand. It is a direct evolution of the Urraco model, the production of which ceased two years before the introduction of the Jalpa. It is believed that the long production of the Jalpa helped Lamborghini recover and justify the investment in tooling and machinery poured into the short-lived Urraco.
Offered at a fraction of the price of a Countach, and in the same class as the Ferrari 308, the Jalpa still wasn’t popular. Compared to its prancing horse competitor, the Jalpa was less sought after. Back then, Lamborghini was a small player on the international market and lacked the brand recognition that Ferrari had. Probably due to the Jalpa’s low sales, especially in the later production years, no “entry-level” Lamborghini was offered for 15 years until the introduction of the Gallardo. The successful Diablo of the 1990s would replace both the Jalpa and Countach in the Lamborghini lineup.
Quintessential Eighties Car
Introduced at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, the Jalpa is based on a 1976 Silhouette model. Produced until 1988, the Jalpa is the quintessential eighties car. Even if it is less aggressive-looking than the Countach, its wedge shape and purposeful, angular lines give it a great presence. Its body design and execution were done by none other than Bertone. It looks good, demands recognition, and is relatively practical for an exotic car. In fact, Lamborghini describes it as a “super sports car.” Yet, the dashboard configuration can only be described as strange. The only two air fans are on the middle console and the climate controls are spread all over. Doug DeMuro has a hilarious way of presenting it, you should check out his review of a similar 1985 Jalpa if you have the time!
What Now?
Today, Lamborghini is a household name, but its success beyond the 1980s wasn’t always guaranteed. The Countach and the Jalpa kept the company afloat. Significant investment was needed however to keep the brand going into the next decade and beyond. Today’s youth’s enthusiasm for current Lamborghinis fuels an interest in vintage models. The Jalpa is special due to its rarity. Despite its “entry-level” status, the Jalpa is an exotic and fascinating car, and the one in the Demers Car Collection is in pristine condition. Interested in seeing it with your own eyes? Enquire about guided tours of the Demers Car Collection. Interested in car history? Don’t miss next week’s blog post where we ask why gasoline became the power source of choice for early car engines.
The Nitty Gritty
- 3.5 liters, 90-degree, aluminum, V8 engine;
- Fully independent suspension;
- Five-speed manual transmission;
- Targa-style roof;
- 255 bhp;
- Max speed: 248 km/h or about 154 mph;
- Rear-wheel drive;
- Air conditioning.
