Dear All

I'm interested in learning a little more about my own Jalpa's history. Number 12029, which I bought from the UK last year, and previously it was in the United Arab Emirates for many years (which is where I live, so it kind ok came back home).

Question is....where was it before then?

I have a placque screwed on to the inside cover of the glovebox which reads:

MFG: Lamborhgini (yes, their spelling mistake)
MFG YEAR: 1984
IMPORTER: Khalifa Sulaiman
ZA9....etc etc 12029
THIS VEHICLE COMPLIES WITH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND FMVSS FOR THE YEAR OF MANUFACTURE

Now, I guess that that DoT and FMVSS are US regulatory bodies, but my question is....did all Lamborghini's for export (regardless of where to) have this put on their gloveboxes, or just cars bound for the USA?

Or, conversely, is it possible that this was put on when shipping OUT of the USA - to a Mr Khalifa Sulaiman.

Talking about whom, there was a prominent Dr Khalifa Sulaiman in the Ruler's Court for many years, who acted as an advisor for the Ruler of Dubai, the late Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum, and it is possible he imported the car for one of the ruling family. We have service history over a number of years from garages in Dubai, many of whom did work for the ruling family's cars, but most of the mechanics are long gone.

To understand that FMVSS story would help me peice this puzzle together...any help from US or export market owners?

Many thanks

Robin Wells
Dubai, UAE

The US Only has the DOT & EPA....I'm not familiar with FMVSS so it must be something from Europe?

The stickers & plaques like the one you refer to in your glove box where put on either by the Importers or Conversion Shops after the cars left the factory. Lamborghini did have Manufacturer Plaques, but not like the one you mention.

It sounds like the car went either from England to UAE & back again or to the UAE or perhaps SA first, & then to the UAE & then Europe..back in the 70's Saudi Arabia had a Dealer and quite a few LM002's were sold there, along with other models of course that are harder to know about.

__________________
JRV

www.PinnacleMotorsports.com

Hi JRV,

Thanks for your response.

I've done some more research on the US laws and it would appear that the FMVSS are definitely US-related.

This is from the Department of Transport in the USA:

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a legislative mandate under Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Vehicle Safety, to issue Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Regulations to which manufacturers of motor vehicle and equipment items must conform and certify compliance. FMVSS 209 was the first standard to become effective on March 1, 1967. A number of FMVSS became effective for vehicles manufactured on and after January 1, 1968. Subsequently, other FMVSS have been issued."

So, the question is, why would my Jalpa have a plaque in the glovebox saying that it confirms to US regulations? Would this have been placed there is the car was be shipped anywhere else than the US?

I shall investigate what you say about Saudi Arabia, although that is quite separate from the UAE....

Any other ideas anyone?

What is the complete VIN?

-mick

Here's the VIN:

ZA9J00000DLA12029

Does this help?

NO, since all Jalpa's before 1985 hat 00000, yours is a 1983.
later:
0 = 1985 und früher
A = Amerika
B = Jalpa > 1985 USA Version
C = Canada
E = Europa
U = USA

http://www.lamborghiniclub.ch/Club/chassisnr.html

__________________
RaymondQV
Countach QV Ex-Mimran #GLA12997, Urraco P300 #20530 sold in August 2008, Jalpa #FLA12203 sold in May 2006
www.countach.ch
www.jalpa.ch

When Frank Sinatra got his Miura S in 1970, he said: “If you wanna be someone, buy Ferrari - If you are someone, you own a Lamborghini”.