Silhouette thread

I believe they came from the Fiat 850 Spyder ( US version only?) as per this pic but I needed the clear lenses for my car.
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ty

cheers

hf

 

With so few cars your member may need to look outside CEE, particularly if they are looking for a good one

 

[Also in Europe but not in the union, #40016, for sale in Swiss by Max Bobnar, http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.aspx?from=list&wl=1&lng=ger&id=5649554

[/QUOTE]

Those seats are even less original than mine (#40052)

On a more serious note, now that the mechanical work on my car is nearly complete, my thoughts are turning to bringing the interior back to something closer to original (once funds are available again). I believe that it was originally tan, but can anyone comment on what colour and material the dashboard would have been? My understanding is that 'mousehair' was commonly used, but these days it seems to be only available in black. I think black would look a bit odd if the rest of the interior is brown, so my inclination is to go for something like dark brown Alcantara.

What do you guys think? Also, can anyone recommend a good interior restorer in UK or northern Europe?

Eventually I also hope to get the exterior back to the original Rame Colorado, although it's proving hard to find a paint code and it's also very hard to envisage what it would look like. I've seen pictures of Isleros and Brian's Countach in this colour, but the Silhouette is a different beast and in any event I suspect the colour would look quite different in 'real life'.

Thanks

Jonathan

 

Those seats are even less original than mine (#40052)

On a more serious note, now that the mechanical work on my car is nearly complete, my thoughts are turning to bringing the interior back to something closer to original (once funds are available again). I believe that it was originally tan, but can anyone comment on what colour and material the dashboard would have been? My understanding is that 'mousehair' was commonly used, but these days it seems to be only available in black. I think black would look a bit odd if the rest of the interior is brown, so my inclination is to go for something like dark brown Alcantara.

What do you guys think? Also, can anyone recommend a good interior restorer in UK or northern Europe?

Eventually I also hope to get the exterior back to the original Rame Colorado, although it's proving hard to find a paint code and it's also very hard to envisage what it would look like. I've seen pictures of Isleros and Brian's Countach in this colour, but the Silhouette is a different beast and in any event I suspect the colour would look quite different in 'real life'.

Thanks

Jonathan[/QUOTE]

hello jonathan

I've been in your car, not that the upholstery is in poor shape but it would be great to get it back to its original factory color scheme.

from the have a dozen silhouettes ive seen in the flesh, i recall seeing 2 types of mouse-hair dash coverings . the colors ive seen were dark grey and tan that is very similar in texture to the ones used on the 246 dino's

looking back at some of the silhouette magazine test there seems to be a "rough suede" type hide used on lighter color interiors? hard to tell since most of the period test articles i had were in black and white. can anyone else here chime in?

here's a link for vintage lambo paint codes... did the silhouette come in 2 different types of gold? the rame colorado look much "warmer" than the "convoy" RHD car or is it my imagination?

cheers

D

 

40010 was originally Oro Sahara and 40052 was Rame Colorado.

Edit : If links do not work I have added thread/post details

For Silhouette /Countach colours have a look at Countach thread post 8823
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/sho...postcount=8823

For Silhouette/Countach colour names have a look at Countach thread post 8830
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/sho...postcount=8830


For Rame Colorado Countach have a look at Silhouett thread post 117
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/sho...&postcount=117

 

Mmm, i love the interior in this one. Scroll down a bit.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-GRAPHIC-213-Dec-1978-LAMBORGHINI-SILHOUETTE_W0QQitemZ270722082935QQcategoryZ13576QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp5197.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7851174844411640940
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I've checked my archives, #40016 was offered for 65.000 FRS back in december 2009, I've spoken to Max Bobnar's son, as I can read my written notes. So 15 months it is now offered for 110.000 FRS or 86.000 €... Switzerland interest rate is raising quicker than the one on my bank account !!!

 

Recently I bought April 1983 edition of Thoroughbred and Classic car on eBay as it had a wonderful article written by Stefano Pasini entitled ‘Lamborghini – the prototypes’.

The final paragraph reads:

However, the first truly exceptional development of the Urraco concept came in 1976, with the introduction of the Silhouette. This was a Targa version of the P300, with the four-cam engine, extremely wide tyres on special Campagnolo wheels, enlarged wheelarches, spoiler at the front and revised interior. The car was really stunning, and its road behaviour was absolutely first class; but it was an expensive, little-known open two seater powered by a V8, and there were few customer orders. The factory, with a reduced order book, did not manage to produce even those requested; only 50-53 Silhouettes were produced, and if you find one you have the definitive road-going ‘dream-car’ of Sant’Agata. If only I could find one….

Those of you who have read Stefano Pasini’s post about the history and restoration of 40054 will know that he could finally drive his car in April 1987, 6 months after the purchase of the wreck.

 

Could you please tell about the other 'prototypes' he reviews in the Thoroughbread and Classic Cars article?

Does he speak of the Shilouette prototype strictly, too?

thanks

 

Remember this is a magazine article not a book! However the following all get a mention:

350 GTV
350 Spyder
3500 GTZ
Flying Star II
Marzal (the Bertone 'Hexagonitis' period)
Miura Roadster
Jota
Bizzarini P538
Monza 400
Urraco prototype
Urraco Bob

Bravo is not included nor the Silhouette prototypes.

Pics include

Jalpa prototype
Urraco prototype
Urraco Bob
Countach 112/2022 Walter Wolf
Flying Star II
Bravo
Marzal

 

Many thanks; curious about why is the Bizzarrini included there.

 

Miura engine

 

No.

350GT raised to 4 litres engine, or, even, one of the very first corsa-specs Lamborghini engines -with downdraft carturettors-; which could have found its place at the back of the 1st P538

 

Hi

I thought I would give you a quick update on #40052. My car is now UK registered and I've been having some great 'getting to know you' drives, helped by one of the hottest Aprils on record in the UK.

First impressions are that while it's happy enough trundling around town (see picture below), the Silhouette seems to respond best to a firm hand and foot. The ride and handling are very impressive (big thanks to Colin Clarke, plus Paul at Yokohoma for the tyres) but the highlight has to be the engine note at 7500 rpm, particularly in tunnels with the roof off. I've owned some other cars with great-sounding engines (BMW E34 M5, Maserati 4200) but the Lamborghini V8 is exceptional. This is a car that you set the alarm clock early for on a Sunday!

As you would expect with a 34 year old car there are still a few teething issues (squeaky brakes, doors that don't lock, door mirror that needs tightening up - as the sharp-eyed amongst you will have spotted etc) but nothing too significant. Overall I am more than happy - reading and learning about the Silhouette was a pleasure at age 11, ownership is a rare privilege but ultimately (as per Roy's footer) these cars are for driving.

Next stage is to investigate restoring the interior to something closer to factory spec, probably similar to the one shown in the Car Graphic magazine pictures a few posts back.

Cheers

Jonathan
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Glad you are enjoying it Jonathan. Great shot in front of the dealers. I'll be in London next week. Might have to visit the dealer

 

I had a droopy California mirror too! The cast metal base plate seems to be prone to fracture (perhaps after a knock) and the tightening screw becomes ineffective so I replaced the base plate with one from a s/h mirror purchased on eBay for £5.61.

 

A few more shots of what Colin changed or cleaned up on my car. The last shot suggests that the car went off-road at some point in its history . I'm sure a forensic detective could work out exactly where, based on the extensive soil sample available...

Jonathan
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those arent californias on johnathans car...!

anyhow the car looks great, so glad to hear it all worked out.

cheers

 

They look like Vitaloni turbos. Jonathan invest in a set of californians

 

Ooops well spotted chaps! Yes Jonathan get some Californias but if originality is important be aware that there are imitation items on sale.

 

After lots of great 'getting to know you' drives, the Silhouette and I had our first difference of opinion. In other words, I wanted the car to start, and it wouldn't. A few conversations with Colin Clarke's guys reinforced my suspicion that the engine was flooded. Being an ungenerous father, I assumed this was because my youngest son had been fiddling with the levers in the car and had switched on the choke. It was the best part of two weeks before Colin could send someone to have a look. (In the meantime, the Automobile Association tried and failed to get any of the plugs out). The waiting was unbearable!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, Lee from Colin's team came out today and changed all the plugs. Most of them were soaked. Unfortunately for me, Lee also spotted that the choke was disconnected, so the flooding was solely due to my over-enthusiastic pumping of the throttle when trying to start the engine. Changing the front plugs (those nearest the cockpit) is not a simple matter, as there is barely enough room to insert the ratchet spanner (let alone the extension to reach the plug) and you need a magnet to take out the plug; plus it's impossible to see what you are doing so it's all down to touch. I guess it's possible to cut an access panel into the bulkhead but this wouldn't help the already suspect torsional stiffness. After an hour or so Lee had changed all the plugs and the car started first time, accompanied by a series of mini-explosions (excess petrol) worthy of Beirut in the 1970s.

Lee was keen that I take the car for a good run to clear everything out. The sun was shining, the top was off and with new plugs it ran sweeter than ever. Needless to say all is forgiven (to be fair to the car, it was my own fault) and the love affair has resumed.

Jonathan

 

Great post Jonathan. Just some observations. Plugs can be changed in about 20 minutes although the bank near the fire wall is hard to get to. No need for the choke at any time. Just turn ignition until you hear the ticking noise slow after about 10 seconds then prod the accelerator half way 2-3 times turn the key with foot minimally on accelerator and it should fire immediately.
Also never leave the car idling after you start it in order to warm the engine. Drive off and don't exceed 3000 rpm until up to temperature.