I agree. But hard to tell from that pic. Here is a pick of one of my Jalpas you can see the placement of the lights and the air damn is not striaght across. Image Unavailable, Please Login
This is the picture from the Landsem book. I'm pretty sure it's my car (#40052) for a number of reasons, but have no idea when or where it was taken. However, it's clearly before the restoration of the ZN-75 Miura. Maybe one of the Miura experts can help? Jonathan Image Unavailable, Please Login
You're both right, judging by the photos of the showroom of the Bobileff website. What's confusing me is that the ZN Miura was restored at Bobileff, so it's unclear why it was in the showroom pre-restoration (unless this was at some earlier date; maybe Bobileff have handled it more than once). I'm aware that my car had some minor servicing done at Bobileff and possibly it also passed through the showroom at some point. These cars do seem to go round in circles (metaphorically as well as literally). Gary B, can you shed any light on dates? Thanks Jonathan
Amongst others I see the Urraco Bob and the yellow P300 mule in the graveyard. In the Morland book these are both inside the factory. Do you (or does anyone else) know for certain the year these pictures of the grave yard were taken?
I`ve just looked at some other pics of the grave yard, and the owner of thoose pics claims they were taken in -85. Cars looked to be in the same position, but taken from an other angle, Urraco Bob brown P250 and the Pasini Silhouette i belive. Edit, no im wrong, pics im looking at the cars are more spread, not pushed together like the one posted here.
Yep, the photo was taken in my showroom, and there are occasions when cars are awaiting restoration or service work, and when we run out of storage room in the mechanical shop,they're stored in the showroom, as the ZN 75 was. Gary Bobileff
Changing the subject, I guess many of you will have seen the announcement of the new Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder. This seems to be the closest modern equivalent so far to the Silhouette (i.e. open, RWD, not a V12). But if you compare the specifications of the two cars it's interesting to see what a difference 35 years makes. Jonathan Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Jonathan, I just want to follow-up with you to see if you have replaced the valves or got a cost estimate for replacing them?
It looks like an excellent condition one is going around 60K to 65K in the US. How much would an average one go for? 40K?
With this type of car, it is probably a good idea, to buy the best car you can locate for sale. It is a hard sale, when it encroaches on the price, of a good Countach. Only a hardcore Lamborghini enthusiast, is going to pay entry-level Counatch money, for a nice Silhouette. With the low production #'s, a buyer of a driver, will probably become economically upside down, when restoring the car. Some parts, will be difficult to source and may have to be fabricated.
Yes, the work was done earlier this year by Colin Clarke in the UK. Probably best to speak to him directly if you want a cost estimate, as the work was part of a number of other items. It wasn't cheap, but it gives me peace of mind when revving the engine so effectively it's an insurance policy against a potentially much bigger engine replacement cost. I'm interested in the comments about a good Silhouette being the price of an entry-level Countach. In my view it's no longer possible to buy a running Countach in any condition for $70k, at least in Europe (see the other thread about this). However, even if you could find one, I don't think it makes sense to compare the two cars. First, the restoration costs of a 'running' Countach are likely to exceed the purchase price. Secondly and more importantly, while I have never driven a Countach, I can't believe it's viable for use on a weekly basis or in city centres, whereas the Silhouette can be happily driven at least every week (as mine is) and if necessary will sit in traffic jams without complaining. I'm certainly not knocking the Countach which is an astonishing design, but these days many of the owners seem more focused on restoration and investment potential than driving their cars. Jonathan
no experience with sil. but jalpas (very similar car imo) can be driven more easily than the countach it is more viable for use this said, at similar price 99% of buyer would go for the iconic countach the silhouette is a specialist car and i love it!
Personally I have no desire to own a Countach - nor for that matter a Jalpa. I am not a hard core Lamborghini enthusiast - I just know what I prefer. The Urraco/Silhouette interior is spacious and the 3.0L V8 is superb. If they are not used regularly or have been poorly maintained expect trouble. If they are on the button they are wonderful but do not expect them to be an investment! They are for driving - my car did 300 miles last week - roof off and heater on!
I agree with you, but a well sorted Jalpa or other V8 is a great driver. I have only done tune ups / oil changes and had to replace the throttle cable in the last 5 years. It was restored just before that, but still almost nothing needed and I drive mine all the time!
I don't know if Countachs have much to do with Silhouette values. What holds the values down is the almost identical car called the Jalpa. Sure there is differences, some I like better, others not. For example, I like the round tail lights on the Jalpa, but the smaller rear bumpers on the Sil. The dash is cooler on the Sil. The leather seats are much better than cloth seats. The front of the Jalpa looks sleeker, the rims on most Jalpas looks dated compared to the Bravos. I like the lower curb weight of the Sil, I like the more structural strength of the Jalpa. I like spelling Jalpa better than Silhouette. And on and on. It's all opinion, mine of course. The Sil does benefit from the Jalpa in the spare part category and exposure from others that keep them up. In good shape, both are wonderful cars. Comfort wise, they are leaps and bounds better than a Countach, or Diablo.
