Lamborghini Jarama

Photo by Tony Harrison from Farnborough via Wikipedia

Ferruccio Lamborghini’s beloved car: The Lamborghini Jarama is a quirky 2+2 grand touring car built when the company was moving towards supercars.

About the Jarama

The Lamborghini Jarama (pronounced ha-ra-ma) was one of the 2+2 Grand Touring cars when Lamborghini was transitioning from focusing on sporty cruisers to supercars.

The Jarama was the successor to the Islero for the US market. The Jarama was sold alongside the Espada even though they shared chassis architecture and served essentially the same purpose and market.

The Jarama is generally considered the ugliest Lamborghini ever despite it being designed by Marcello Gandini while at Bertone. Gandini also designed the beautiful Miura and the innovative Countach. I guess you can’t win them all!

Model Information

First Model Year1970
Last Model Year1976
Engine TypeV12
InductionNaturally aspirated
DrivetrainRWD
LayoutFront-engine
Engine OrientationLongitudinal
Body StyleCoupé
Number of Doors2
Number of Seats4
Front SuspensionDouble wishbone
Rear SuspensionDouble wishbone
Steering TypeWorm and roller

Video

Models

Year RangePower (BHP)
Jarama (Original)1970–1973350
Jarama S / Jarama GTS1972-1976365

Original Jarama

A red Lamborghini Jarama on displayed at a car show in Salzburg, Austria.
Photo Credit: Wolfgang via Adobe Stock

Weighing 3,200 lb (1,450 kg), the Jarama is heavier than the Islero. It’s powered by the same 3.9 L (3,929 cc) Lamborghini V12 engine used in the Islero and Espada, derived from the earlier 400 GT. It has six Weber 40 DCOE carburetors and is connected to the rear wheels by a five-speed manual transmission.

Lamborghini claimed the original Jarama model produced 350 bhp (260 kW). Early Jaramas have centre-locking magnesium alloy wheels, which were also used on the Miura and Espadas.

Jarama S / Jarama GTS

Introduced in 1972, the Jarama S (also known as Jarama GTS) featured a few minor body modifications, including a hood scoop, exhaust vents in the fenders, adjustments to the windshield’s position, and relocated turn signals. It also had new wheels on five-bolt hubs, identical to those on the Series 3 Espada.

Inside, there was an aluminium-trimmed redesigned dashboard, switches moved to the center console, added head and sound insulation, improved rear seats, and increased legroom.

Power-assisted steering was also standard on the Jarama S. Customers could opt for a removable roof panel and a Chrysler TorqueFlite automatic transmission.

A revised exhaust system, heads, and carburetors resulted in a power increase to 365 bhp (272 kW). Lamborghini produced 150 of this version.

Trivia

The Jarama was the favorite Lamborghini of the company’s founder.

Ferrucio Lamborghini, who founded Lamborghini in 1963, told Thoroughbred & Classic Car that his favorite Lamborghini was the Jarama.

“I preferred the Jarama to all the others,” Ferruccio Lamborghini answered, “because it is the perfect compromise between the Miura and the Espada.”

Ferrucio Lamborghini leaning on a Lamborghini Jarama
Ferrucio Lamborghini leaning on a Lamborghini Jarama. Photo thanks to Wikipedia.

The styling of the Jamara was nearly identical to the Iso Lele, another Italian car.

Marcello Gandini designed the Jarama while working for Bertone. He also design the Iso Lele which came out a year prior. The two car look very similar, with half covered headlights, but the Jarama features a significantly lower stance.