The LITTLE BULL

LAMBORGHINI V12S WERE THE BEDROOM POSTER FAVOURITES, BUT SANT AGATA'S V8 URRACO IS THE LESSER-KNOWN BABY SUPERMODEL

- IAIN CURRY

Pronunciation is key. Urraco … “oo-RAH-koh” – ideally with an Italian accent smoothed by a chilled grappa. Con Minas, owner of this 1974 Lamborghini Urraco P250S, politely corrects my amateur-hour effort. He notes his Greek heritage helps, as he rolls off “U-rra-co” in a manner that would make old Ferruccio proud.

The Urraco is, wholly unfairly, an overlooked 1970s Lamborghini. But this wedge-shaped mid-engined 2+2 coupe’s lifespan (1972-79) overlapped the Miura’s swansong and Countach’s birth. Try standing out in that crowd. But while these Sant’Agata V12s were the reserve of celebrities, F1 drivers and royalty, the V8 Urraco was designed as a more affordable junior model.

Half a century later, the same rings true. A Miura or Countach attracts seven figures, serious collectors, car covers and tragically low (if any) annual kilometres. But with Aussie values starting at just over $100K, an Urraco’s affordable enough to land in enthusiast hands. Which is where Con comes in. An automotive body maker by trade, mechanically-minded and with deep appreciation for Italian marques, this Tahiti Blue ‘Little Bull’ is both cherished and enjoyed on Melbourne roads.

Con shuts me down when I suggest maintaining and repairing an Urraco must give him night sweats. I hate to play stereotypes … but an early ’70s Italian supercar? Really? In 1974 Lamborghini was haemorrhaging money, cars weren’t selling, founder Ferruccio was flogging his stake in the company, and the oil crisis was proving supercar kryptonite. Hardly a recipe guaranteeing quality would be front and centre.

“It’s actually a pretty robust little machine, built extremely well,” Con says. “I can’t speak highly enough about the quality of this car. But I will say one thing. If you see anyone driving an old Lamborghini, and you have the opportunity, go and thank them. It’s not the most comfortable thing, so it’s a privilege to see one on the road.”