1987 Lamborghini Jalpa Spyder Prototipo

The Lamborghini Jalpa Spyder Prototipo was a one-off factory prototype built in 1987, based on a standard Jalpa 3500 (P350) chassis. The project came from Lamborghini’s late attempt to evaluate a fully open-top version of the Jalpa, beyond the standard targa configuration. It is commonly linked to the final development phase of the Jalpa program, when Chrysler ownership was already preparing to end the model’s production.

It is not consistently attributed to Bob Wallace as a core designer (unlike some other Lamborghini development specials), but it was created within the factory environment using existing Jalpa production cars as a base. The prototype used at least one late-production chassis and incorporated structural changes to allow a full convertible layout, rather than just a removable roof panel.

Visually and structurally, it differed from the standard Jalpa with a completely open roof, a reshaped rear deck, and modified rear bodywork to manage proportions after removing the targa structure. Period documentation also shows that at least two prototype chassis were involved in testing and development stages, both used around 1986–1987 at the factory, before the project was abandoned.

The main reason it never reached production was a combination of poor proportions (especially at the rear after roof removal), lack of commercial justification, and the fact that Lamborghini was already transitioning away from the Jalpa entirely by 1988. One of the prototypes survived and is now preserved in the Museo Ferruccio Lamborghini in Italy, where it remains as a rare final experiment of the V8 Jalpa era.

More info from my trip soon.