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Jalpa Spyder - the STORY

During the Jalpa production, Automobili Lamborghini SpA became aware that a full convertible model would actually sell better than the Targa-style Jalpa they now offered, so they asked Bertone to create a prototype based on the same chassis which became the Athon, this special prototype didn't even have a roof designed for it, but the car was much admired by the public whenever it was shown on various Auto Shows.

Therefore Lamborghini started working on a Jalpa with a completely retractable roof in 1987, named the Jalpa Spyder, a prototype was created, based on a silver metallic over blue leather Jalpa which was still owned by factory at that time, a similar rear treatment as found on the Athon was used for this special Jalpa, but the finished car didn't look as special as the Athon.

When looking at the Jalpa Spyder from the side, you would immediately notice the problem, the rear was out of proportion compared to the rest of the car. The engine cover and tonneau cover were just too large for the Jalpa with the passenger cell was too much forward in this design.

The Jalpa Spyder actually had a working top designed for it, as you can see on these images, probably a good idea would have been to include a hard-top version too, but unfortunately it never came this far.

The Jalpa Spyder project was set aside, the management at that time didn't think they should actually offer the Jalpa Spyder in this configuration, it didn't look exotic enough to be a Lamborghini, although I personally think it would still sell, after all it was an open top Lamborghini, the only official 'new' convertible Lamborghini at that time.

The one and only prototype was later forgotten, it was parked somewhere on the factory grounds in Sant'Agata. But it was somewhat hidden from view, although an image was supplied to me by Raymond Stofer who was able to get a glimpse of this one of a kind Lamborghini, which was in a very poor state at that time, a flat tire at the rear, a dent in the door and the front spoiler was probably mounted on another Jalpa somewhere along the line.

Fortunately this prototype was saved from the scrapyard by none other than Tonino Lamborghini himself, he had this very rare prototype restored and nowadays it is proudly displayed in the Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum, next to several other important Lamborghini models.

This car has been restored as good as possible, since nothing much remained from the original specifications, let alone the interior and some body panels that were completely missing, this can be seen from the unfinished look of the dashboard, and the use of silver mesh for all the air intakes and extractors, still it is a very interesting piece of Lamborghini history, one that shouldn't be forgotten and deserves it's place in the museum.

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