Photo by Sergey Kohl via Adobe Stock
The Lamborghini Urraco was a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car produced in the 1970s, a unique chapter in Italian automotive history.
It was a 2+2 coupé with a V8 engine behind the backseat passenger. Combining a light mid-mount engine with a 5-speed manual transmission gave enthusiasts a nimble and dynamic driving experience. Produced between 1972 and 1979, the Urraco was an affordable answer to Lamborghini’s exotic sports car competitors like the Ferrari Dino and Porsche 911.
The Urraco’s design was contemporary for the time. It was designed by Marcelo Gandini (legendary designer of the Miura and Countach) while he was working for Bertone.
Just 791 Urracos were produced before it was succeeded by the Lamborghini Silhouette, which shared its platform.
The Urraco was Lamborghini’s first attempt at a “baby-Lambo” but never took off; they offered a smaller, simpler, daily-drivable alternative to customers who could not afford their hypercars. Two and a half decades later, Lamborghini tried again and found breakout success in this segment with the Gallardo.