Vehicle Description
In the late 1960s, Lamborghini's young and gifted chief engineer
Gian Paolo Dallara had departed for Williams Grand Prix, leaving
his prot�g� Paolo Stanzani in charge. Stanzani had worked closely
with Dallara on the revolutionary Miura as well as the Espada. One
of Stanzani's first tasks was to design the replacement for the
Islero, a car which traced its roots to the first 400GT 2+2, and
which was being killed off by American safety and emissions
standards. Utilizing the existing Espada sheet-steel platform,
Stanzani lopped a full 10 inches out of the length and sharpened it
up for a more sporting edge. The Espada's 4-liter V12 remained
essentially unchanged, producing 350 horsepower, which was enough
to push the new Jarama to 162 mph. Lamborghini's favored
Carrozzeria Bertone penned the new car's body, which bore a strong
family resemblance to the Espada but was unique from front to rear.
The Jarama design is a magnificent expression of late-60s Italian
flair. The fastback profile is low and squat, with dramatically
flared fenders, sharp lines, and a subtly upswept roof. NACA ducts,
side air exits, and the knock-off Miura-style wheels give the car a
real sense of purpose and theater. A fabulous high-speed GT car,
the Jarama was reported to be Ferruccio Lamborghini's favorite
model next to the Islero; high praise indeed from the man whose
name was emblazoned on the boot lid. One of the rarest of all
regular production Lamborghinis, this 1972 Jarama 400 GT is one of
just 177 400 GTs built (an additional 150 GTS models followed) and
without a doubt, one of the most distinct. This particular car
carries chassis number 10228, the 115th Jarama produced and
delivered new to Modena Sports Cars of New York on the 23rd of
March 1972. Having covered just 45,000 miles, it presents today in
wonderful condition, appearing largely unrestored save for a
high-quality respray in a very handsome metallic green along with a
freshened interior. The paintwork is excellent, the dark metallic
green suiting the Bertone style quite well. Body panels are
straight and crisp with consistent gaps and good fit. Exterior trim
and moldings appear very original; the razor's edge chrome bumpers
and glass trims all very straight and attractive. If there were a
prize for "coolest wheels ever", this car's fabulous Miura-style
Campagnolos with their distinct three-eared knock-offs would most
certainly be in the running. The Jarama's interior styling is also
inspired by the bigger Espada, but in 2+2 configuration and with a
more sporting attitude. This car's natural tan leather is
beautifully presented, with excellent oatmeal square-weave
carpeting lining the floors. Being the proper GT car, it was
equipped from new with air conditioning and electric windows. A row
of switches line the dash ahead of the driver, which are all in
good working order, and the original instruments are mounted in a
factory correct wood surround, complementing the steering wheel and
shift knob. As with the seats, the upholstery on the center console
and door panels is in very good condition. The headliner is an
excellent original, showing no sagging, damage or stains. The pair
of vestigial rear seats can be folded flat for additional cargo
space and the AM/FM radio is mounted in the most Italian of
places... at the driver's elbow in the center console, facing
forward. Despite the unconventional layout, the controls fall
naturally to the hand in a way that only an Italian designer could
figure out. These quirks seem to add to the appeal of the Jarama;
it is a wholly unconventional performance car and yet completely
unmistakable as a Lamborghini. At the heart of the beast lays
Lamborghini's masterpiece: The four-liter quad-cam V12 breathing
through a sextet of side draught Weber carburetors. This engine
served as the basis for all V12 Lamborghinis through the
Murcielago, so it is well proven to be strong and reliable when
properly looked after. In Jarama GT spec, it produces 350
horsepower over a broad and flexible band, perfectly suited for the
grand touring nature of the Jarama. It also sits well back in the
chassis, giving exceptional handling balance. This example runs
strong, nicely presented in very clean and tidy condition. That
radio isn't really necessary given the way the V12 bellows its
soundtrack through the dual ANSA exhausts. Power is sent rearward
through a 5-speed manual gearbox with stiff but positive action,
and the 4-wheel disc brakes are strong, returning a fabulous
driving experience. One of the rarest and most fascinating
production Lamborghinis of all time, the Jarama 400 GT is an oft
overlooked and underrated twelve-cylinder performance car, though
collectors are finally taking notice of its unique qualities. This
is a beautiful, low mileage and fine driving example that is ready
for long drives or carving your favorite back roads.
