Elusive American Failure: The Tail-End Lamborghini Silhouette That Fell Short

Lamborghini’s Production During Turbulent Times: A Story of Resilience

It’s no surprise that the Lamborghini Countach is widely admired, even by those who are not car enthusiasts. However, what many people don’t realize is that there is a lesser-known, yet equally stylish Lamborghini model: the Silhouette. Produced by the renowned Italian manufacturer, this smaller version features a similar design to its more famous counterpart.

The limited production of only 53 units from 1976 to 1979 makes the Silhouette P300 a highly coveted Lamborghini among die-hard fans of the brand’s iconic angular sports cars. In a recent video, popular YouTuber Number 27 takes us on a journey to discover more about this elusive vehicle.

In particular, the vehicle featured in the footage is among the 42 left-hand-drive automobiles that were produced. The other 11 units were designed for right-hand drive. The inclination towards producing LHD models was due to the fact that the Silhouette was primarily intended for the American market, as were all targa cars at the time. This was in response to anticipated US laws requiring convertible cars to have rollover protection, which would have resulted in the demise of convertibles altogether.

The Lamborghini Silhouette - Brilliant.. Yet Virtually Unknown?

Even though it is a rare sight, the Silhouette boasts impressive achievements, including being among the earliest Lamborghinis to feature a targa-top roof. It was also one of the final models to come equipped with a V8 engine before the Urus made its debut in 2017, with only the Jalpa having the same number of cylinders between the two vehicles. However, the host of the video pointed out some peculiar design choices. For example, sun visors are not included and the fuel-filling port is oddly placed in the engine compartment.

In terms of performance, the Silhouette proved impressive with its 0-60 mph acceleration time of 6.5 seconds, along with a 0-to-100 mph sprint achieved in just 16.1 seconds. It also boasted a top speed of 162 mph. This was largely due to the powerful transverse-mounted mid-engine 3.0-liter V8, producing a hearty 250 horsepower. Similar to its successor, the Jalpa, it utilized a five-speed manual transmission.

The Silhouette, created by Marcello Gandini for Bertone, was initially conceived as a project to explore new design ideas. Its creation took inspiration from the direct predecessor of the Silhouette, the Urraco.

“Why did it sell so poorly?” This was the burning question surrounding the Porsche 911 Targa. While the model proved to be a hit in America, its counterpart, the Silhouette, designed specifically for the American market, faced a major setback. Its V8 engine was unable to meet California’s strict emissions standards. This was a major blow to the car’s sales, especially during the 1970s oil crisis, also known as the “Malaise Era” in the US automotive industry.

During this time, there were also financial struggles and internal conflicts within the Italian car company. In addition, Italy was going through political turmoil during the same timeframe. These factors greatly impacted production.

Back in 1976, procuring one of these automobiles upon its launch required an upfront payment of $17,354 to Lamborghini. In present-day value, that amounts to a staggering $95,000. For potential buyers, this posed a significant gamble as the brand faced a looming threat of bankruptcy during the car’s manufacturing phase.

During the 1980s, the automobile company progressed by designing the increasingly sought-after Jalpa P350 as a more economical choice compared to the renowned Countach. Essentially, the Silhouette continued to exist in essence as it served as the foundation for what ultimately became the Jalpa.

Therefore, should this lesser-known yet impressive car be considered as one of the brand’s iconic models?