In order to comply with the increasingly stringent American
safety and emissions regulations, it became necessary for
Lamborghini to replace the Islero Coupe by the end of the 1960s.
After Gianpaolo Dallara departed Sant’Agata, the task of crafting a
replacement fell to his former assistant and now chief engineer,
Paolo Stanzini. Stanzini carefully shortened the Espada’s chassis
by 10.7-inches, leaving everything else intact. This platform was
then dressed in husky yet angular styling by Bertone’s Marcello
Gandini, with flared wheel arches, NACA hood ducts, and unique
hooded headlamps, as well as a comfortable 2+2 interior that leaves
the stylish impression of four individual seats.
The result was a larger car than the Islero, but the talent of
Stanzini and Gandini resulted in an equal top speed of 162-mph. The
elegant platform is driven by a 3.9-liter, 350-hp DOHC V-12 engine
with a five-speed manual gearbox. Some 177 of the original 400 GT
models were produced between 1971 and 1973, making the Jarama one
of the rarest Lamborghini models, and as a result, it is a much
sought-after collector’s item today.
The car offered here is even more special, in that it is documented
by N Club Sport Lamborghini expert, Olivier Nameche, as being the
first Jarama ever sold in the United States and it bears the 34th
Bertone body built for this model at the end of 1970 or early 1971.
Chassis number 10066 runs with engine number 40505 and period
factory documents in Mr. Nameche’s possession are reported to
confirm this car was manufactured at Sant'Agata Bolognese in 1971
in accordance with U.S. Federal specifications and is fitted with
optional air conditioning. It was sold new through Modena Sports
Cars in New York on March 3, 1971 in the color of “Bruno
Metalizzato” with the interior presented in “Senape” or
mustard-toned; of course, in leather.
This exceptional Jarama is a two-owner car from new; the second and
current owner purchased the car on June 22, 1984 and has enjoyed
the car for over 30-years. The car’s odometer indicates less than
30,000 miles driven, and the owner believes this low figure to be
correct. This matching numbers Lamborghini has been stripped down
to bare metal and repainted in its original factory color of Bruno
Metalizzato, while the original interior was only in need of a
“light refresh.” All of the aluminum has been re-polished and the
chrome elements have been re-plated. All new rubber seals have been
affixed from “top-to-bottom,” while the V-12 engine and the
transmission was also removed and completely rebuilt which also
included the original factory brake servo’s and six Weber
carburetors with the appropriate tuning by a marque specialist. The
undercarriage was completely stripped and all of the rubber
components in the suspension both front and rear and all of the
steering components were replaced. The original Koni shocks were
removed and rebuilt along with all of the suspension, steering and
brake components sound blasted, powder coated and all metal items
zinc according to how the car left the factory originally. All of
the engine hardware have been powder coated or zinc plated as it
originally was and all of the correct factory stickers are in place
as it was in 1971.
The cooling system has been recently and completely overhauled and
all of the electrical in the car has been sorted – again,
“top-to-bottom” so all is in working order. A brand new Ansa
exhaust system is in place, as are new disc brakes all-around. The
original Muira knock-off wheels have just been refinished and have
correct Michelin XWX tires fitted to them. This is an exceptional
Jarama 400 GT that runs and drives superbly. It is accompanied by
the appropriate documentation, factory owner’s handbook and dealer
brochure. It is believed to be as authentic today as it was in
1971. This Jarama would be a marvelous example to drive, combining
a fascinating, rarely-seen design with unusual features and a
professional restoration.
