The 1980s are often seen as a time of permissible excess of every shape and size, which paired quite nicely with the spaceship designs and high-powered performance coming from Lamborghini.->ke44 Most associate the time period with Lambo’s flagship Countach,->ke387 but below this bedroom-poster superstar was the lesser-known Jalpa.->ke3503 Framed as the smaller, less expensive Italian option, only 410 were ever produced. Now, you can pick up quite possibly the finest example to survive the era of cocaine and Reaganomics for $115,000.

The rare Lambo is on offer from Hyman Ltd. Classic Cars, a vintage vehicle->ke503 dealer based out of St. Louis, Missouri. Produced in 1988, this particular Jalpa is one of the very last to be created. The wedge-like exterior, a look that simply oozes 80s, is finished in black, as are the leather seats, while the door panels and carpets are tan. Cabin amenities include air conditioning, an early CD player and an open-gate shifter. A mere 25,378 miles are registered on the odometer.

To keep it running, this Jalpa has had a bit of work done to it, including recent repairs to the ignition wires and exhaust manifold, and a fresh set of tires. Overall, though, the car looks beautifully maintained, which is no surprise given the fact the previous owner was a “professional foreign car mechanic who kept a small collection that he pampered with both enthusiasm and intimate knowledge of what the cars needed,” according to Hyman Ltd. 

Also included are the original warranty booklets and a parts manual, just in case you want to browse all the parts you'll now probably be able to find.

Continue reading for the full story.

Why it matters

Discovery of a working Jalpa is quite uncommon, but to come across an example this well maintained is truly exceptional. Lambo made the model between 1981 and 1988, with only about a quarter of those produced making it stateside.

While the flamboyant and extravagant Countach captured the majority of the attention, the Jalpa sat in its shadow as the more accessible and driver-friendly alternative. Whereas the Countach bludgeoned it’s way through the street, with a lurching V-12 engine, speed-bump-munching nose, and a rear wing big enough to play runway for a 747, the Jalpa promised the same exotic experience without all the exotic drawbacks. It was more tractable in stop-and-go traffic, and offered better visibility. It was also substantially cheaper.

It’s vaguely reminiscent of the strategy McLaren->ke284 is employing with the 540C.->ke5120 However, it didn’t last long, as Lambo’s parent company at the time, Chrysler,->ke21 axed production before the end of the decade. 

Still, the Jalpa ticks many of the right boxes for an '80s-era Lambo. Named after a famous breed of fighting bulls, the two-door targa-top features a transverse mid-engine, RWD layout, with an exterior shaped by the legendary Italian coachbuilder Bertone.->ke2523 It was featured in the 1985 movie Rocky IV. It also boasted pretty decent performance for its time, with a 0-to-60 time of six seconds flat and a top speed of 145 mph.

But is it worth $115,000?

That’s a sizable chunk of change, even for a super-rare Lambo. But for the affluent collector who just can’t sleep well at night until he has a Jalpa in his collection, this is the one to get.  

Lamborghini Jalpa

Also known as the “Baby Lambo,” the Jalpa succeeded the Silhouette,->ke3504 carrying the same 3.0-liter V-8 engine, but with an extra 75 mm of stroke that increased displacement to 3.5-liters. Output when new was rated at 255 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 231 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm.

The car saw a minor facelift in 1984, when the black plastic components in the bumper, air intakes and engine cover were painted the same color as the body, and the rectangular taillights were replaced with round units. Curb weight was 3,329 pounds. The car original sold for $60,000, far below the six-figure Countach.

Read our full review here.