I've come across a 1985 Jalpa for $10,000. The guy will go a little lower for a cash deal so there is some flexibility.

Now, about the car: It has about 39,000 miles (approx. 63,000 km). The guy got it from an estate sale about 1 1/2 years ago and he drove it on and off the trailer when he transported it. So it runs, though we didn't try to start it since it had been sitting so long and we didn't want to cause any damage. It has been in his garage since. It has some body damage on the front corner passenger side and fender. It also has some body damage on the passenger side rear fender. The fiberglass piece across the front bottom is broken as well, but he has both pieces.

My concern is how easy is it to get parts for Jalpas since they only made a little over 400 of them. Also, I was wondering about the asking price and if it was fair. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

My first impression is that this is a good deal. But.....

The good
-If the body damage is just dings, it should be like any other car to address. The body is steel, so a decent body shop should have no trouble.
-Fiberglass can be mended.
-Parts are available. Only a few things are no longer available, but those situations have been rare for me. Part prices vary. Many components are off the shelf items and sell for average cost. Jalpa specific parts made by Lamborghini are really expensive.
-The Jalpa seems to be ranging in price from 30,000 to around 45,000. The low end needing a little work, the high end being a well sorted excellent car. (Correct me guys if this has changed)
In a bad situation, an engine rebuild would run around 15,000. Most likely the brake booster and master cylinder will need to be rebuilt. Based on the information provided, you could sort it all out and just about break even in value. IF IT GOES WELL.

The Bad
-It sounds like that car has been sitting, and during at least some of its life, negelected.
-Seals and hoses are most likely bad. (Check the fuel and oil return lines if you try to start it. Fire prone car.)
-Check out the engine cooling system.
-Check the motor mounts.
-Check the break system. Brake fluid has probably broken down and will require a rebuild.
-Check the water pump.
-Switching to stainless valves is recommended.
-Suspension should be checked out.
-Carburetors will probably need rebuilds.

There is probably more, but this is the big stuff.This, plus more, is what I have been through. It is all do-able. Parts are available. But no matter what the situation is, the car is going to need some of the stuff I mentioned and it is going to cost money. Any 23 year old car with a history like this is going to need work.

I can give you a blow by blow of my Jalpa experience if you like. What I listed above should give you a general idea. My specific experience can give you a lot specifics about what ownership of an unsorted Jalpa can be like. NOT that it is bad! I love my car! But it is not trouble free or cheap.

if you will pass on it, let me know

i am interested in it!

Thanks for all the info. That's really helpful. I've been researching and noticed a few common problems with the car. I also see that some Alfa and BMW parts are interchangeable. I'd love to hear about your experience with your Jalpa. Anything you can tell me will be very helpful. Also, I'm going to try to see it again this weekend and take a closer look. I'm bringing my camera to take some pictures so I'll try to post them soon after. Thanks again.

I'm leaning towards yes, but I'll let you know. He's not advertising it, and didn't seem in a real hurry to sell, so it should be around for a little while. It's in WV and most people there only have eyes for Mustangs.

tks you

it looks a decent deal to me

The parts are expensive but oddly enough pretty easy to source. Unlike Ferrari the Lamborghini factory keeps most of the vintage parts in stock.

__________________
www.ricambilamborghini.com
www.ricambiamerica.com
(336)499-2500 ext 107

The Lamborghini factory has nothing in stock any more, the entire spare parts department is run since about 4 years by Saima, the same company which holds also the parts for Ferrari.

__________________
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”.

I did not realize they did not come directly from the factory itself. I guess what I meant to say is that a majority of the older parts can be sourced from Automobili Lamborghini directly no matter what warehouse they are coming from. Where in the Ferrari world all the older parts are no longer supported by Ferrari at all and must come from other sources.

__________________
www.ricambilamborghini.com
www.ricambiamerica.com
(336)499-2500 ext 107

It sounds like a real good deal. A Jalpa just sold for 57k at a auction. Nice car, had ground effects & red.