Miguel Sánchez
In Madrid's Valle del Jarama, livestock activity has been essential for centuries. In fact, in its meadows irrigated by the waters coming from the Central System, the breeding of the fighting bull reached one of its greatest points of activity in the entire Iberian Peninsula. Thus, when Ferruccio Lamborghini wanted to name his new 2 + 2 in 1970, he remembered that Spanish valley where not a few North Americans lost their lives in February 1937. In this way, continued with the tradition of using terms related to bullfighting to name your models. Giving the Lamborghini Jarama a more compact alternative to the elongated 1968 Espada.
Thus, in Lamborghini a range was established in which the 2 + 2 arrangement was common currency from the beginning. Well, with one exception. And it is that when in 1964 the 350 GT -first model of the brand- was shown, it mounted a curious 2 + 1 scheme. That is to say, while the recurring pilot and co-pilot seats were incorporated in front, in the rear there was only a brief and enveloping square located in the center. A solution as insecure as it is rarely seen devised by Carrozzeria Touring. Responsible for dressing the next model, the 400 GT from 1966.
This one is already a full-fledged 2+2 in the units thus specified. Slightly taller and wider than its predecessor but also dominated by a V12 boosted to 320CV. However, its production only lasted about two years, being replaced in 1970 by the Islero. Yes indeed, since Carrozzeria Touring had gone bankrupt and dissolved, the design of this model was commissioned by Marazzi. The company opened in Milan at the end of 1967, taking in former Touring workers. In any case, after the impact achieved by Bertone in the Miura Lamborghini, he entrusted his lines to it. Which is why the Lamborghini Jarama sports an unmistakable Marcello Gandini style.
THE PROTAGONISM IS FOR THE ENGINE
Beyond the design of the bodywork or the interior, the most remarkable thing about the Lamborghini Jarama is its engine. Something really commendable. Since when designing a 2+2, there is often the temptation to give prominence to comfort elements over other more purely sporty ones. However, in this case we find a 12-litre V4 with four overhead camshafts capable of reaching 350CV at 7.500 revolutions per minute.
All this powered by six Weber 40DCOE carburettors to result in a set where sportiness and drive is undeniable. In fact, the maximum speed is about 260 kilometers per hour with a thrust that, according to current tests, it doesn't seem to run out of steam when passing the barrier where other sports cars begin to run out of steam. However, in the Lamborghini Jarama, sportsmanship is mainly focused on maintaining high cruising speeds submerged in the noise of its engine.
Because of this, the suspensions combined with their wide Michelin tires were designed to filter out road surface imperfections without compromising comfort. At this point, this model it can be described as a GT option for those who do not want to raise the tone to what a Miura supposes. In addition, it was also a more compact alternative to the extensive Espada with four real seats. However, for 1972 the GTS version was launched with 365CV.
LAMBORGHINI JARAMA, A RANGE THAT WAS EXTINGUISHED
When it was introduced in 1970 the Lamborghini jarama Still didn't mount power steering. Something strange for a GT 2 + 2 of that time, making maneuvers at low speeds or parking could require a real effort. This fact is aggravated by having the engine in the front part, thus loading the steering axis. In that sense, one of the most important issues of this model is that it was the last of the brand -until the arrival of the current SUVs and the passage of the LM002- to mount a front engine.
And it is that the trail left by the Miura permeated the entire brand. Thus, in 1972 the Urraco was presented as an access model designed to save the company's accounts -something it did not achieve- with its central-rear engine design. Anyway, Lamborghini decided from 1971 to play the future from what could arise from the prototype that would end up originating the Countach in 1974. A recomposition of the range that had to go through moments of great financial difficulty, even reaching its founder's withdrawal from the company in 1973.
And it is that, for example, the Lamborghini Jarama sold just over 320 units. Some concise figures that Lamborghini had to leave behind if it wanted to remain one of the best supercar companies in the world. However, before proceeding to analyze the Lamborghini economic history In future articles, the best thing will be to stay stuck in the memory of the Lamborghini Jarama. One of the most performing and authentic 2+2 in history.
Photographs: Lamborghini / RM Sotheby's
