In the early 1970’s, Lamborghini was looking to cash in on the success of the Porsche 911 and Dino 246GT. At the time, Lamborghinis were known for their V12 engines and exotic styling. The Miura was nearing the end of production, the Countach was still in development, and the only other models in the lineup were the big four seat Espada or the 2+2 Jarama. For their “entry level” sports car, Lamborghini designed an all-new V8 engine to be mounted transversely behind the seats. The 90 degree V8 was small at just 2.5 liters, but with four belt-driven cams and Weber carburetors, it made a healthy 220 horsepower at 7500 rpm. It was also compact, cleverly designed to accommodate the accessories in the middle of the “vee”. A 5-speed transaxle put power down through the rear wheels. Unlike earlier Lamborghinis, the Urraco employed unitary construction, rather than a traditional tubular space frame. Suspension was attached via subframes that were easily removable for service. The new chassis was wrapped in an attractive Bertone body that took a few details from the Miura, but remained totally individual. The Urraco was compact, not much bigger than the Dino, but thanks to the long wheelbase and cab-forward design, it was much more practical with two tiny rear seats and a usable trunk.

Performance was comparable to the contemporary Dino, Merak and 911, though a bit slower off the line thanks to tall gearing. In spite of the strong top-end performance from the sweet little V8 and balanced handling on four McPherson struts, the Lamborghini Urraco struggled to find buyers and only 791 trickled out of the Sant’Agata factory between 1973 and 1979. But the Urraco platform was far from a failure. It lived on well into the 1980’s as the 3.0 liter Silhouette and 3.5 liter Jalpa.

This 1975 Urraco P250 is a fine, honest example of the junior Lamborghini sports car. The early P250 is considered by purists to be best of all V8 Lamborghinis. The Bertone styling is handsome, with distinct louvers giving that classic 1970’s Italian flair. This car presents extremely well with very straight bodywork, very nice quality paint as well as fine exterior trim and a correct set of Campagnolo alloy wheels. It is structurally sound, with a tidy, original feel inside and out, suitable for driving or casual showing. This P250 is an appealing example that has been cherished and properly maintained.

The excellent cabin is trimmed in black leather with gray cloth inserts and gray carpets bound in black. The dash styling looks straight out of a wild 70’s Bertone concept car, but it is quite functional and usable, with original instruments in good condition. All Urracos came equipped with standard with electric windows and air conditioning. The inviting cabin is in very good order, a comfortable and exciting place to spend a day exploring back roads. Records show the 2.5 liter V8 was rebuilt in 2000, and it runs strong thank to an upgrade to electronic ignition for more reliable running. The engine bay is clean, tidy and presentable. The original distributor will be included with the sale, as will service records, a dealer booklet and service manual. On the road, this Urraco exhibits all of the qualities one would expect from a Lamborghini – taut handling, strong brakes and a solid feel through steering.

These Junior Lamborghinis are rapidly appreciating as collectors have finally taken notice of their quality and performance. Considering the Raging Bull on the nose, the jewel of an alloy V8 behind the seats and a coachbuilt Bertone body, they are still a relative bargain. Much rarer than its contemporaries, few Urracos have survived in such nice, usable condition as this. We are confident this P250 will deliver junior supercar thrills in a unique and stylish package.

Classic car dealers like Hyman, can help you easily sell classic cars from your collection. Contact us today and find out why our classic car consignment program is a seamless service designed for collectors to leverage our global network and broker a private sale.

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