Some cars become symbols, time capsules, even characters in their own right. This is exactly the case with this 1988 Lamborghini Jalpa, now offered for sale, and inseparable from a cult scene in 80s cinema alongside Sylvester Stallone. This yellow Jalpa is not only rare in its configuration or exceptional condition: it is intimately linked to Rocky IV, in which it accompanies Rocky Balboa in one of the saga's darkest and most introspective moments.
Rocky's Lambo, a memory from the 80s
In Rocky IV, released in 1985, the Lamborghini Jalpa first appears almost timidly, parked alongside a red Countach LP500, before becoming the central element of a now legendary night scene. After Apollo Creed's death, Rocky takes the wheel, alone and angry, and lets the Italian V8 do the talking to a backdrop of Robert Tepper's No Easy Way Out. This sequence, halfway between music video and inner confession, gave the Jalpa unexpected exposure. Few Lamborghini can boast of having so directly embodied their driver's state of mind on screen. We published an article dedicated to this subject a few weeks ago: Lamborghini Jalpa, a forgotten V8 supercar that had its moment of glory in the movies with Sylvester Stallone.
A more affordable Lamborghini... but no ordinary Lamborghini
Presented at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, the Jalpa was born at a delicate time for Lamborghini. The brand, freshly taken over by the Mimran brothers, had only the Lamborghini Countach in its catalog. It was imperative to broaden the offering. Jalpa had a clear mission: to offer a more "affordable" Lamborghini, easier to live with, without denying the sporting DNA of Sant'Agata Bolognese. Less demanding clutch, better visibility, more docile handling... but still a very '80s style, with its wide fenders, appendages and leather- and carpet-lined interior.
An atmospheric, old-fashioned V8
Under the hood (or rather, behind the seats) we find a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V8, developing 255 horsepower in its original European configuration. Fed by four Weber carburetors at the time, it enabled the Jalpa to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in around 6 seconds, and reach speeds of close to 250 km/h. The model now on sale, however, has been converted to electronic fuel injection, a reversible modification that improves reliability and usability without betraying the spirit of the model. A five-speed manual gearbox transmits power to the rear wheels, reminding us that this is a Lamborghini from another era.
A copy in almost unreal condition
This 1988 Jalpa has just 5,900 kilometers on the clock. An almost indecent figure for a car over 35 years old. Destined for the American market, it is one of just 100 US examples, and above all only seven cars, painted in this spectacular Giallo Fly hue. The body-colored O.Z. wheels, the black interior with yellow stitching, the matching MOMO knob and even the branded carpets bear witness to a particularly desirable configuration. The car comes with tools, original documents, a blank Carfax and a serious service history.
An alternative to the Countach...
Back then, the Jalpa lived in the shadow of the Countach. Today, it is back in the spotlight as a credible alternative for collectors. Prices are still far from those of an equivalent Countach, while offering an authentic, analog and profoundly eighties experience. Neither a commercial success nor a total failure, the Jalpa above all enabled Lamborghini to survive a difficult period. Produced in only 410 units between 1981 and 1988, it never achieved the recognition of its V12-powered siblings. But thanks to the film Rocky IV, the Jalpa earned itself a lasting place in the collective imagination.
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