Model biography
The Silhouette was the first convertible of normal production in Lamborghini’s history. Presented at the 1976 Geneva Motor Show, the launch model was spectacular. Its charm was absolute, as the car was low, wide and almost crouched over its large, low-profile tires. The mechanical base and the chassis were similar to that of the Urraco P300. The car featured the 3-liter, 250 CV V8 engine. Like its predecessor, the Silhouette was mid-engine, the V8 mounted transversally across the chassis. The engine was equipped with a double overhead camshaft controlled by a chain. It was one of the first cars in the world to feature low-profile tires and be equipped with a conspicuous front spoiler. The car was produced between 1976 and 1979 with 52 units constructed, of which 12 were right hand drive.
Design
Designed by Carrozzeria Bertone, the Silhouette had a particular beauty. It featured square and muscular lines, but they were neither exaggerated nor unbalanced. The effect generated by the front spoiler and the wheel arches, necessary to contain the new low-profile tires within the shape of the car, gave the car the look of a true sportscar. The tires were mounted on the splendid 5-hole rims, nicknamed “Bravo type”, as inherited from the 1974 Lamborghini Bravo prototype. The removable “Targa” roof blended beautifully into the design when fitted. Inside the cabin, the dashboard was completely new compared to the Urraco. The main instruments were sunken into the dashboard behind the characteristically-shaped steering wheel.
Technical features
The Silhouette rested on a Urraco P300 chassis, revised and reinforced to support the lack of the roof without compromising the torsional rigidity. The suspension and brakes were adapted to make best use of the potentials of the larger wheels and low-profile tires, measuring 195/50-15 in the front and 285/40-15 in the rear. The weight was contained at less than 1400kg and the maximum power was 250 CV. That power to weight ratio gave the Silhouette exhilarating performance, comparable to that of the Miura SV in terms of acceleration, and the car had a maximum speed of 260km/h.
Lifestyle Silhouette
One of the most iconic articles in automotive history was published in the English magazine “Car” in February 1977. Titled “Convoy” and written by editor Mel Nichols, it recounted the incredible adventure of three new Lamborghinis, a Countach, a Urraco and a Silhouette, that made the journey from Sant’Agata Bolognese to England. The timing was perfect, as speed limits in France came into force only a few weeks later. The images that accompanied the article, and Nichols’ extraordinarily enthusiastic words, made this article an unforgettable portrait of an era now lost.
