The Lamborghini Urraco is one good-looking 50 year old.

When this 2+2 coupe debuted at the October 1970 Turin Motor Show, critics hailed its technical innovations. Engineer Paolo Stanzani, the father of the Urraco and Lamborghini’s Chief Technical Officer at that time, deserved a lot of the credit. And the style was pretty sleek, too. The angular body was 4.25 meters (just under 14 feet) long, and the Urraco’s interior was unique to the time, with things like a “dished” steering wheel.

Designer Marcello Gandini did the styling for the Urraco project, then principal designer for Carrozzeria Bertone.

One Rare Bird

Never heard of this classic" Perhaps that’s because the automaker only produced 776 of these cars between 1970 and 1979. The Urraco’s technical advancements made way for the Gallardo and Huracán. That’s plenty of reason for Lamborghini to celebrate this trendsetter’s 50th anniversary. But there is a lot more that made the Lamborghini Urraco a standout.
Lamborghini Urraco. Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.

Lamborghini Urraco: Engine & Powertrain

For starters, it boasted a mid-mounted V8 rear engine and independent suspension, with a MacPherson strut system for both the front and rear. That was the first time a production car had that strut system. There were plenty of other highlights, including a 2.5-liter V8 delivering 220 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and a top speed of 245 km/h (153 mph). Plus...