Introduced at the 1970 Turin Auto Show, the Lamborghini Urraco would not find its way onto the market until 1973.  The timing of its launch suffered from delays in development, and very likely due to the overlap with the sale of the Lamborghini Automobile division to a Swiss firm in 1972.  Though the Urraco became available after his departure, the mid-engine 2 crush 2 sports coupe was the realization of Ferruccio Lamborghini's vision of a smaller, lighter, but not down-market Lamborghini.

Under engineering direction of Giampaolo Dallara, engineer Paolo Stanzani led the development of a 90 degree V8 to power the Urraco.  The ambitious road-holding goals of the project necessitated a lightweight engine to be designed.  The aluminum crankcase was a two-piece design, split horizontally along the crankshaft journal centerline.  Cast iron wet liners were fully surrounded by the water jacket.  To simplify valve lash adjustments, the cylinder heads carried their single cams as well as tappets in a separate casting above the lower cylinder head casting, which contained the valves.  Finally, a belt drive synced the cams to the crankshaft via individual fiber-reinforced rubber belts that connected the cams to intermediate pulleys, which were splined to the nose of the crankshaft.  I recently had the opportunity to hold the aluminum casting tasked with containing the timing drive belts, and was impressed with its elegant design.

Year: 1974
Model: Lamborghini Urraco
Engine: 2.5L V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage:  43,685 (indicated)
Price: $79,500

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1973 Lamborghini Urraco This highly collectible 1973 Lamborghini Urraco is available in yellow with black interior. It comes equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, power windows and Campagnolo wheels. It also includes $17,000 in service records for an engine out service in 2016. A very clean and presentable example which has been with the same owner for many years and is mechanically sound. For $79,500 If you have any additional questions Please call 310-975-0272 or email with any questions! We also welcome all international buyers. We can help with shipping quotes and arrangements.

With Countach LP400 prices in the stratosphere, where does one find an affordable, clean Gandini wedge these days?  For this thought exercise we can exclude the X-1/9, as its shape does not quite capture the wedge we're after.  And the Maserati Khamsin, while beyond reproach, doesn't quite classify as a wedge, angular as it is.  In our opinion, the Dino GT4 and the Urraco are the last bastions of sub-$100k Gandini wedges.

So, which fits the bill?  The GT4 should prove easier to maintain, if only because V8 Ferrari parts are not exactly difficult to procure, at significant cost, of course.  Opt for something a bit more rough around the edges, such as this Urraco with disconcertingly few details from the seller, and the road ahead could be challenging.   Discussions with the seller should hopefully provide detail beyond the disclosure of recent engine-out servicing.  We're more than partial to anything blessed by Dallara, so you know where we'd put our money.

-Graham