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Lamborghini Urraco: Back To Life
Words and Photos by Manuel Bordini
Edited by Vita di Stile
Almost one year has passed since the LamborghiniUrraco of this photoshoot saw the light from where it was held for 24 years. However, time, negligence and also humidity negatively inhibited that car which once was considered as the novelty and which had the difficult task of strengthening the Lamborghini brand, locating it in a market, usually dominated by Porsche 911. However, it couldn’t have been and it has never been. Indeed, Urraco #15036, the 19thcar built by Lamborghini, immediately revealed to those in charge of the restoration, its fragility, which is the typical featurerelated to unique and intimately really beautiful things; in fact, it was built without a future scope such as that of enduring over time, but with a present scope: that of offering emotions which can endure over time.This “present” goal can be found also in the claim of the time :“Doing today what the others will do tomorrow”.
Coming back to the restoration phase of Urraco #15036, it can be described as an adventure, characterised by progressive and pressing difficulties. Indeed, Urraco seems to oppose a sort of proud resistance to cares. The first act of hostility concerned the engine oil cap, which was blocked, forming in that way a sort of unique block with the valve cover. The oil was still there, it was dark, really dark. When the oil pan was drained and cleaned , and after having inspected and lubricated valves, cylinders and pistons the first important check was manually turning the engine on.The following step regarded the lubrication and oiling of the internal parts while the car is moving; then, after having replaced the distribution belt, it was time to turn the engine by using the key. However,I in vain and uselessly tried the ignition. I tried again and again, then, suddenly I heard what seemed to be a burst which slowly resoundedup to become a clamour of horsepower. It was alive, extraordinary alive and this was all what counted.
A work of restoration requires a scientific effort concerning the research and systematic information materials, and, it is important to bear in mind thatnot only nothing is left to chance but also nothing has to be taken for granted, since, like in this case, lot of pieces were not the original ones. Urraco #19 is a sort of pre-series model built in 1972 and registered as a unique model. The constructive solutions, which are simple but not trivial, are certainly handcrafted. Indeed, a covering panel stillpresents theindelibleand immutable signs of those who have built the internal parts of that car. As according to Carrozzeria Bertone, which was in charge of the car design,the hood, the car doors and the lights are stamped with the number 19 to indicate that these parts have to be together, they are parts of the whole, realized and adapted specifically for that car. This is the essence of the “matching numbers”.
Nothing is easy and sometimes the workplace wasso limited that the way out of pieces was hindered by several other elements. However,as I personally have noticed, in restoring the car there is a moment, after all the difficulties, in which you start to feel in harmony with the car, and that’s the moment, the moment in which you put aside all the techniques and methodologies you think to and you start to follow what the car impose. It can be compared to the low tide, which is able to gradually dispel the doubts and uncover all the hidden things. For that reason, it is necessary to wait and go ahead little by little without forgetting that a car is handmade realisation and the first models represent the bases of a process of a progressive experimentation, adaptation and improvement: they are the laboratory of the construction in series.
During the restoration phase I wanted to maintain the most accuracy precision possible, leaving when it was possible, also the original screws which have shared with the car all its history. I have cleaned and degreased every single piece of the car. This is not a Porsche and it couldn’t have been; the ordinary, commonidea of caris not in its DNA. It has the typical qualities, values and lacks, deficiencies of unique and emotional things.
Urraco #15036 built in1972 and registered in 1973.
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