Lamborghini built the Jalpa 3500 between 1981 and 1988, producing roughly 410 units in total. Slotted below the Countach in the Sant'Agata line-up, it gave buyers a genuine mid-engined Lamborghini at a lower price point, wrapped in a targa-body penned to carry the P350 internal code. KK Scale's white 1:18 die-cast puts one of the decade's least-replicated Lamborghinis squarely in the display cabinet.
A Mid-Engine V8 in Targa Clothes
The Jalpa's 3485 cc quad-cam V8 sat transversally behind the cabin, fed by four Weber carburettors and rated at approximately 255 hp at 7000 rpm. Period road tests recorded 0–100 km/h in around 6.8 seconds and a top speed of approximately 240 km/h. The removable targa roof panel was a signature detail, keeping the silhouette low — just 1140 mm tall — while giving open-air flexibility that the Countach never offered.
Geneva 1981, Bond 1983
The Jalpa debuted at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show and accumulated its small production run over seven model years. Its highest-profile public moment came in 1983, when a Jalpa appeared in the James Bond film Octopussy, driven by the character Magda — a cameo that cemented the car's place in 1980s popular culture. White was among the factory colour options and featured in period press photography, making it one of the most recognisable finishes associated with the model.
KK Scale Die-Cast in 1:18
KK Scale catalogues this as a die-cast metal 1:18 model of the 1982 Lamborghini Jalpa 3500 in white. Die-cast construction gives the piece a solid, weighted feel consistent with KK Scale's other 1980s Italian subject releases. The major resin producers have largely bypassed the Jalpa, so this KK Scale release stands as one of the very few 1:18 options available to collectors seeking an accurate replica of this generation.
Placing It in the Collection
The 1982 specification represents the earliest production form of the Jalpa, before any mid-cycle revisions, making it the most historically direct version to own at this scale. It pairs naturally with a Lamborghini Countach LP500S from the same era to illustrate the breadth of the Sant'Agata range in 1982. Collectors building an 1980s Italian supercar shelf will find the Jalpa fills a visible gap alongside Ferrari 308 or Maserati Merak subjects — the white livery gives it strong visual contrast against darker or more saturated finishes.
Frequently asked questions
How many Lamborghini Jalpa 3500s were actually built?
Approximately 410 units were produced between 1981 and 1988, making it one of the rarer Lamborghinis of its era.
What engine does the Jalpa 3500 use?
A 3485 cc quad-cam V8 with four Weber carburettors, producing approximately 255 hp at 7000 rpm, mounted transversally behind the cabin.
Why is white a significant colour choice for this model?
White was a factory colour option for the Jalpa and appears in period press photography. A white Jalpa also featured in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.
Is this one of the only 1:18 models of the Jalpa available?
Yes. The major resin producers have largely overlooked the Jalpa, so KK Scale's die-cast release is among the very few 1:18 representations of this car on the market.
