Model biography
The Jarama, formally known as the Jarama 400 GT, was the latest, and last, evolution of the front-engine 2+2 concept. It was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1970 as the final evolution of Lamborghini's front-engine 2+2 concept, following the Islero and 400 GT and it was easy to see why. It maintained the same mechanical layout as its predecessors, with the 4-liter V12 featuring double overhead camshafts for each bank of cylinders. Bertone designed the car, while the body was produced and assembled by Carrozzeria Marazzi, in the province of Varese.
The mechanical layout remained the same as the Islero and 400 GT, with a longitudinally mounted V12 at the front. The most striking aesthetic feature of the Jarama was the headlights, which were partially covered by an “eyelid” when not in use, and the large rear side glass which gave the model a streamlined look. Comfortable, fast, and luxurious, it was the last of its kind in Lamborghini’s production, as the company would later move away from front-engine 2+2 models.
Design
The styling cues of the Jarama were a typical expression of 1970s design, with taut lines and a perfectly straight waistline along the entire lateral length. The eyelids that semi-covered the front headlights gave the car an unusual but pleasant appearance. An optional targa-style roof was available, consisting of two independent removable panels.
Technical features
The Jarama was technically derived from the Islero and the 400 GT. The 4-liter V12 engine was identical, but power was increased to 350 CV at 7,500 rpm. In the Jarama GTS, introduced in 1972, power was raised to 365 CV at 7,500 rpm. The chassis was also identical between the three models. The Jarama was produced in two versions: the Jarama GT between 1970 and 1972, with 177 cars built, and the Jarama GTS, which was produced between 1972 and 1978, with 150 units produced. The GTS could be identified by some distinct design elements, including the central air intake on the bonnet, different wheels, and revised interior.
Lifestyle
Ferruccio Lamborghini, always a lover of 2+2 cars, drove his Jarama GTS for years. His car was characterized by the Ferrara license plate. The Jarama is considered a symbol of the stylistic transition between two decades. The original featured details such as wheel designs identical to those of the Miura, and an elaborate design typical of the very early 1970s. The design then evolved towards cleaner and more minimalist shapes characteristic of the middle and end of the decade. The car is much appreciated by owners for its performance and comfort, is still loved today, and is extremely difficult to find on the market, as few rarely change ownership.
