Timeless Elegance: Marcello Gandini's Design for Urraco

Rare ONES - In the year 2023, the Lamborghini Urraco, a name that conjures images of a spirited little bull, is celebrating its 53rd birthday. Among the illustrious Lamborghini family, the Urraco holds a unique position as a more accessible sports car, and during the 1970s, it the preferred choice for enthusiasts seeking an alternative to the likes of Ferrari Dino, Maserati Merak, or Lamborghini Miura.

The Lamborghini Urraco designed by Marcello Gandini of Carrozzeria Bertone. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

This iconic Lamborghini model made its grand debut at the Turin Motor Show in late October 1970. In comparison to its contemporaries, the Urraco introduced a wealth of innovative features, thanks to the brilliance of Paolo Stanzani, who was Lamborghini's Chief Technical Officer at that time. The aesthetic appeal of the Urraco was masterfully crafted by design virtuoso Marcello Gandini, who held the position of principal designer for Carrozzeria Bertone during this period.

The Lamborghini Urraco is a 2+2 coupe boasting a mid-rear V8 engine and an independent MacPherson strut suspension both in the front and rear. (Picture from: Lamborghini)

Technically speaking, the Lamborghini Urraco is a 2+2 coupe boasting a mid-rear V8 engine and an independent MacPherson strut suspension both in the front and rear. Notably, this suspension setup was groundbreaking for a production car at that time. Initially, the Urraco was outfitted with a 2.5-liter V8 engine generating 220 horsepower, and it could achieve an impressive top speed of 245 km/h.

The interior of the Lamborghini Urraco is well appointed, with genuine leather upholstery, 2+2 seating, air-conditioning, Jaeger instruments, and a Blaupunkt radio/cassette player. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

This engine boasted numerous innovations, including a Single Overhead Camshaft (SOHC) valve system, a unique "Heron" combustion chamber, and concave pistons that allowed for effective utilization of a high compression ratio. Fueling this marvel of engineering were four Weber 40 IDF1 double-barrel carburetors.

This cutaway illustration of the Lamborghini Urraco P250 reveals its transverse rear-mounted engine with the transmission on the driver's side, making it mid-engined and leaving space for a 10 cubic foot trunk. (Picture from: Silodrome)

What set the Lamborghini Urraco apart was an efficient production system designed to minimize manual labor from the outset. This approach aligned with the vision of Ferruccio Lamborghini, who aimed to enhance production capabilities and make Lamborghini cars more affordable for a broader consumer base. Furthermore, the Urraco's cabin showcased a harmonious integration of the dashboard, instrument panel, and steering wheel in a distinctive and proportionate manner.

Rear side view of the Lamborghini Urraco. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

The raging bull logoed automotive manufacturer initially introduced the Lamborghini Urraco P250, where the "P" denoted the posterior engine placement, and the "250" indicated the 2.5-liter engine capacity. Production of this model spanned from 1970 to 1976. Subsequently, Lamborghini unveiled the Lamborghini Urraco P300 with a 1,994 cc engine generating 182 horsepower, making its debut at the 1974 Turin Motor Show and hitting the Italian market in 1975-1977. 

The Italian company produced the Urraco model during the period of 1972 to 1979 with only 791 units having been produced. Today, the Lamborghini Urraco is sat among the scarce, exorbitant priced sports cars, and one of the most sought after by the collectors and fans of classic Italian sports cars. *** [EKA [17032020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAMBORGHINI | TOP SPEED | SILODROME | WIKIPEDIA ]

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