308 GTB carbed vs. Jalpa/Silhouette

I have never met anyone who has owned a Jalpa. In fact I have never even seen one before except in pictures.

 

Almost forgot, I did see the one in Rocky III.

 

Zero driving experience, but just look at this. Makes my 348 spider look like the ugly stepsister....even in oro chiaro. Not sure is its GRP but I think I know this car....gorgeous!!!!

Cheers
Kevin

Props to fast autos for the pic BTW.
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308

 

I had both sitting in the garage a couple years ago. 1982 GTSi, and a 1986 Jalpa 3500. In my opinion, the Jalpa was faster and louder.....that was it. The 308 was more attractive, and more fun to drive. Also, keep this in mind....only 525 or so Jalpas were made(I was told).....so it is a much more expensive car to work on. $5,600 for the clutch (parts), and the engine had to be removed to put it in........I was told the total bill runs around $9,000. Power window regulator went up, and I never did find a direct replacement ....probably available direct from Italy.
My choice would be the 308. But then again...I am now driving a 1985 308 QV, so that should tell you where my loyalties are.

 

that is a great picture! the 308 gtb is a seriously sexy car!! i have a 83 gtb rosso metalica that i have owned for 6 years (bought it w/ only 4k miles).

the jalpa is a neat car too but not as purely great looking as the 308. it is faster however and would be nice to have as a result of it exclusivity. the sound is great and the webers will always be fun too. it may be hard to find a good one though, but if you are in the mindset of buying...you should get a jalpa w/ the cool wheels and tell us all about the "other" car i suspect many of us have considered more than once.

pcb

 

I find the jalpa's interior a bit of a poor design, the Silhoutte was a nicer car. but Lambo wanted to compete with ferrari, but they never had the resources to do so, shame really, and new owners at the time pushed out the jalpa! buy them cheaper than a Urraco 350 in the UK.
Don't get me wrong, i love them,

 

Ask and post this in the Nevada section. There is a couple that owns both a carb 308 and the Jalpa. Saw both cars when I was in Vegas in April.

 

I have had both for over ten years. The Jalpa is much faster,handles better, has a wonderfull sound you can't explain,there were only about 410 built (approx. 75 cars in the US),handles better, shifts silky smooth,the a/c will freeze you,etc... Never had a problem for parts.Needs no cam belt service since it has chains.The clutch does not cost thousands.The clutch price is similar to a 308 and easy to change. Never have had a problem with the car.

I love my Ferrari's and have no compaints.This is just how I rate it performance wise against the 308/328.

 

Saw a Jalpa one time. Seriously stunning car. I always wondered why they were so underrated (I guess the Countach was everyone's dream car.)

 

Greetings all!

I just joined up here tonight, as I sold my 1987 Jalpa last night and am already starting to miss it (even though the keys are here and its still out in my garage).

I really, really, really loved that car. My favorite sport was driving around the city on summer evenings, looking for Ferraris to cruise around with!

But onward....I am now coming over from the 'dark side' and on the (early) lookout for a 308/328 Ferrari and came upon this thread...

Just to clarify, there were 417 Jalpas created between 1982 and 1988. Mine is/was #370, built in June of 1987.

Its a heavy, not very quick, terrible visibility, heavy to drive, angry little bull of a car that makes up for all of its shortcomings with the most insanely beautiful sounds I have ever heard (short of a V-12 or an actual race car).

As you have noted, it is incredibly rare - for every 5 Countachs there is only 1 Jalpa, and I think they made like 24,000 3-series Ferraris? So, this makes it really exclusive (as a result of its failure in the marketplace and Lambos corporate situation) for better or worse. It definitely causes people to FREAK out, but it can also be hard to find parts for. It also causes people to pull up really close behind to try to read the badge. This is a problem that is fun to solve!!!

I cant compare it to a 308/328 yet (except visually, where it is much more angular, sharp-edged and severe - befitting its angry personality - than the flowing, smooth, elegant lines of the 308/328) because I haven't spent the same seat-time with the Ferraris. This comparison was done by quite a few magazines in the 80s (also throwing a 911 in the mix), with the same results: different cars for different personalities/budgets.

Also, BTW, it was Rocky IV. The second I saw that scene sold me on the Jalpa when I saw it over Christmas break in fifth grade.

Thought I'd put a few photos of my Jalpa out there, for a visual comparison at least!

Please be nice to it...(like asking people in Chicago to 'be nice' to a slice of New York Pizza!)

(remember if Enzo had only been a bit more customer-service oriented back in the 60's, Ferrucio would have been content scooting around his vineyard in his tractors instead of making a bunch of ill-mannered cars!)

Cheers to all!

Collin

[edit: especially check out how it COMPLETELY castrates (from a visual standpoint) my little brothers 330ci (WITH the M-sport package).
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thanks for the comments, just wish there was a chance to actually SEE Jalpas out and about. when it comes time to choose it's sad that my choice may be made through unavailability rather than preference.

 

dammit, i wish you had joined up here sooner, i have been looking for a nice Jalpa for months. i *think* i have seen your car for sale.....


i have been wanting to sell my 77 308 gtb, and now my 74 308 Dino is for sale also. i have had 3 ferrari's in a little over a year, i want something ..... different ! welome to Fchat, i hope i can at least bug you now and then for Lambo advice. i belong to both the "other" Lambo sites as well as a Lotus Esprit site.


happy 308 hunting , let us know if you need any help!

your Jalpa is stunning........ARRRG !!!

 

Odd really, there quite easy to get hold of in the UK, go for about £15 to £25 depending on age. if i had the money I'd buy a Jalpa as well as my 348

 

Well, if things dont work out (FINGERS TIGHTLY CROSSED THAT THEY DO) with the transaction for some reason, I'll be in touch. The buyer seems very solid though, so I am absolutely considering it sold. Deposit is due Friday and the Balance next friday...

PS - I sold the car for $33,950. (plus I am offering to take care of ANYTHING that appears during a prepurchase inspection on Wednesday - I am that confident in the car.)

PPS - I am also now shopping for a nice 308 (the later the better) as a trade for my excellent restored 1969 MB 280sl (64K original miles, Cream/Green/Green). If anyone knows anyone, I am ready to head out this weekend!!! Otherwise, I am going to sell it - it's a $28-32K car (they range from 14K to 45K). Let me know if anyone wants to explore it!!

Collin

 

wow! best of luck to you Collin, from the pics your Jalpa was exceptionally nice !

 

I really like the Jalpas. Though I have only driven 2 or 3 of them each time I get behined the wheel, I get a little tingle in my belly. Just fireing up the Lambo V8 is awsome. I think that it what sells the car to me..the sound!! Those ones I have driven all have had exhaust work done..all have no cats and they are just the sweetest sounding car on the road.

The interiors are comical at best..some are even held together with wood screws..but I can over look this becuase Lambo was in recivership when these cars were built.

I do think the 308 drives better however but diffinatly not quite as fast. The suspension seemed to be peiced together from various sources so it kinda has a kitcar feel to it.

Did I mention the sound?

The look of the car is amazing..very aggressive and the rear view is awsome..I even like them with the wing. In fact the wing looks better on the Jalpa then it does on the CT IMHO.

Oh..they sound awsome..did I say that already?

Gearbox..the ones I have driven..seemed to need a bit of work..notchy and sometime reluctant to go into gear..the sound..but nothing unmanagable.

These cars are very cool and I will own one some day. Its just very difficult to fine one that is in decent shape and won't need a TON of work to make right. parts are getting quite hard to fined over here and they no longer make the valve shims for them.

Gotta love the sound!

 

The Jalpa and the 308 are very similar in weight and performance.
The Jalpa with the 3.5 produced about 255 hp and a weight of around 3350 lbs.

 

I also would like to have a Jalpa as they look fantastic and are more reliable than a P300 Urraco which is another fantastic car. Have looked at one recently here in Atlanta but the guy will not budge from 45k!!! Seems too much althouhg its totally straight but they seem to be going up a lot in price. What did you think you could pick one up for?

 

Not to hijack this thread, but that really is a pretty car. I'm sure you noticed it's had some stuff done to it: no front bumper, compomotive or speedline wheels (notice how shiny the rim is versus the spokes), and it's got a big front brake kit on it (notice the red calipers).

 

Guys,
If someone is serious about buying one,give me a pm.I have had it for over ten years.Not to sound conceited, but it is the nicest I have seen at any Lambo event.I have never had the car in rain etc... Never a accident or any type of damage to the car. I have too many cars right now and a eight car garage that is full.If it went to a good home I would probably sell it.

Take Care

 

Pix
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Wow!

That is probably the nicest Jalpa engine I have EVER seen. That is amazing.

For comparison sake, check out the (much worse looking) engine in this 45,000 euro car: http://www.carclassic.com/stock.asp?StockID=102571

Really beautiful! Really Rare!!

Congrats on that.

Collin
Jalpa #370

PS - Lots of Jalpa info - and really great people - at http://www.jalpa.ch

 

Yoo hoo!!! Reaper!!! Here's your car!!!

Birdman