Lamborghini Countachs may get all the attention and all the money when it comes to high-profile auctions — especially the Periscopica variety — but there is a whole other range of Lamborghini models out there that are not variations on the Countach theme. Before the wedge-like shape became a trademark of the automakers, to be remixed ad infinitum into the company’s most recent cars (not that anyone’s complaining), Lamborghini explored a wide range of designs. Sant’Agata’s very first model, if you’ll recall, gave little clue as to what would follow in terms of exterior design, and during its early years Lamborghini fielded a variety of shapes.
One such sports car from Sant’Agata Bolognese is the Jarama, which was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 1970. And this weekend Gooding & Co. will be offering a very sharp example of this rare model.
The Jarama has the distinction of being Lamborghini’s last front-engined GT, featuring a 3.9-liter V12 with six Weber carbs underhood. Delivering 350 hp to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox, the Jarama was just as modern mechanically as its styling suggests, with disc brakes all around and a four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension.
This Jarama was sold new to the U.S., living in New York.
Styled by none other than Marcello Gandini at Bertone, the Jarama’s styling overlapped heavily with the Iso Rivolta Lele Coupe, perhaps to a degree that wouldn’t be tolerated in modern times. The wedge-like shape proved to be both contemporary and understated, offering 2+2 seating and a top speed of 160 mph, more than its admittedly small exterior suggests (the Jarama is not a big car in person).
This particular example, chassis no. 10348, was the vest last Jarama completed in bronze metallic (Luci del Bosco — it sounds far sexier in Italian, like just about everything else). The interior is finished in Senape leather which was special-ordered on this car. Perhaps the rarest option on this car is the twin-panel removable sunroof. Lamborghini historians believe that only 20 Jaramas had this option, and it is not something these cars are really famous for.
This example is estimated to bring between $175,000 and $225,000 at auction.
2014 RM Auctions Pebble Beach preview
Whether or not the Monterey car week auctions manage to touch nearly a half a billion dollars in sales this year, there are a lot of fascinating (and pricey) cars set to cross the block. Last year, RM …
This Jarama 400GT was supplied new to an owner in Oyster Bay, N.Y., who kept it for 37 years. The car comes with original tools and paperwork, and presents as very clean in the photos provided by Gooding. The auction house estimates that this example could fetch between $175,000 and $225,000 on auction day, and it’ll be offered at no reserve.
Click here to see the full list of lots from the upcoming Gooding & Co. auction at Pebble Beach.