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1987 Chrysler Portofino (1 Made)
Chassis #LC001
Jalpa Chassis #
Engine #
1987 introduced a new Lamborghini at the Frankfurt show after the company's takeover by Chrysler. The Portofino was a four door, four seater with vertically opening doors in true Lamborhini fashion. The car was developed at Chrysler Pacifica in Carlsbad, California but was built on a lengthened Jalpa chassis by Coggiola of Turin, Italy. It was quite drivable and was tested by many popular car magazines at the time.
The styling never did make it into production as a Lamborghini which is a shame. Enough praise was showered on the design that it was eventually modified to became the successfull Chrysler Intrepid/Concord series. The unique doors, the best part of the whole design, wouldn't make it into production, though, no doubt due to the lack of B-pillars which serve to strengthen the passenger cage reducing intrusion in side impacts.
The beautiful exterior color would also later turn up as Char-Gold in the available optional colors on the Intrepid/Concord. The inovative rear wing wouldn't be found on these cars, though it did find its way onto the Stealth.
The interior of the Portofino was finished in a beautiful three shades of textured blue leather with yellow piping and accents on the steering wheel and shift knob. A central console divided the passenger compartment adding stiffness to the structure and providing a comfortable wrap-around feeling in the rear seats. The beautiful dash and console layout would influence that of the Diablo being designed about this time.
The hood badge was unique to this single car and consisted of a Lamborghini bull stamped into a brushed metal pentastar.
Sadly the Portofino was destroyed in a transporter rollover in early 1991 but Chrysler, realizing the importance of the car's design in its company's history, saw to it that the car was restored. Only one Portofino was built and it is still in the hands of Chrysler. As of 1999 it is on permanent display at the Daimler/Chrysler World Headquarters and Tech Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
July 2006 - The Chrysler/Lamborghini Portofino Concept Car is not demolished. All the
chatter on the various Lamborghini web sites was false. The car has been removed from display (as part of the rotating collection) and is currently in storage. It is not damaged.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
1987 Chrysler Lamborghini Portofino
| | ENGINE |
| Type | 90° Aluminum V8
Transverse, Mid-Mounted
DOHC per bank, Chain Driven, |
| Valves | 2 per cylinder |
| Main Bearings | 5 |
| Bore/Stroke | 86mm x 75mm |
| Capacity | 3485cc |
| Carburation | 4 Twin-throat Webers
40 DCNF |
| Max Power, SAE net | 225bhp @ 7,000rpm |
| Torque | 229 ft/lbs @ 3,500rpm |
| Compression | 9.2:1 |
| Fuel System | Electric Bendix fuel pump, four double-barrel Weber 42 DCNF carburetors |
| Electrical System | 12 V |
| Lubrication | Wet sump |
TRANSMISSION |
| Gearbox | Lamborghini 5-speed manual + reverse
All-Syncromesh |
| Clutch | Single dry plate
Hydraulically operated |
| Final Drive | 17/68 |
STRUCTURE |
| Layout | Mid-Engine, Rear Drive |
| Chassis | Steel Unibody Construction |
| Body Construction | Steel |
| Body Type | Four door, four seater, vertically hinged doors |
| Body Builder | by Coggiola |
| Suspension | All-wheel independent, McPherson strut, coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion |
| Brakes | All-wheel Girling ventilated disc brakes |
| Wheels | Light Alloy, 16 inch |
| Tires | 225/60R-16 |
MEASUREMENTS |
| Overall Length | 4004 mm / 154.0 in |
| Overall Width | 1890 mm / 72.7 in |
| Overall Height | 1386 mm / 53.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 3120 mm / 120.0 in |
| Front Track | 2080 mm / 80.0 in |
| Rear Track | 1560 mm / 60.0 in |
PERFORMANCE |
| Top speed | 240 km/h / 150 mph |
RESTORATION |
| Cost | $300,000 US |
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