A Lamborghini With an LS1 Can be a Good Thing

What was a Jalpa? Think of it as the first Gallardo, the 458 to Ferrari’s F12. Cheaper, a bit slower, 2/3 as many cylinders but the same badge recognition. It’s not as striking as the Countach, but I think it’s a good looking car. It looks like the Esprit’s cousin. Despite being the “lesser” Lambo, it was easier to see out of and easier to drive. In 7 years of production they sold 410 of them; a failure by today’s measure, but back then it was actually their best seller. Funny how history has repeated itself regarding the “baby” Lambos of today, the Gallardo and (now) Huracan.

The good thing about this being the Lamborghini that time forgot is no one will care if you modify one. Pull the V12 from a Countach and the internet will be outside your house within minutes, lampooning you on Jalopnik, treating you like you’d just been outed as a cannibal. But because this is a Jalpa, you can do whatever you want. Like give it a supercharged LS1. And make it shoot fire.

The original 3.5L V8 pushed it to 62MPH in 6.0 seconds and down the 1/4 in a bit over 15.

This one is faster than that. A lot faster.

Story: Road and Track

Video: Fullboost (YouTube)

Zack Klapman is a Senior Editor for The Smoking Tire, and  produces “TUNED” and “BIG MUSCLE” on the /DRIVE Network. He can be found on Twitter.