The Lamborghini Jalpa Is a Mini Countach With a Classic V8 Soundtrack

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Lamborghini Jalpa | Lamborghini

Lamborghini is typically associated with colossal V12 and V10 powerplants. The company has been making the former since the beginning in 1964, and the latter since its acquisition by Audi in the late ’90s. Before the 10-cylinder Gallardo and Huracán hit the scene in the 2000s, their forbears of the ’70s and ’80s made do with a series of bespoke V8s. One of those obscure entry-level Lambos was the Jalpa.

The V8 predessors of the Lamborghini Jalpa

Lamborghini Urraco
Lamborghini Urraco | Lamborghini

Lamborghini’s initial move “downmarket” was the wedge-shaped Urraco of 1972. It combined avant-garde sheet metal design from Bertone with a new SOHC V8 engine developed in-house. Over the model run, displacements ranged from 2.0-liters for the tax-ridden Italian market to 3.0-liters in the most powerful P300 specification.

Lamborghini’s V8 really came into its own, however, with more displacement. Not to mention, the change to twin-cams in later Urracos and the 3.0-liter Silhouette that came afterward. For the Jalpa, engine size was increased to 3.5-liters, which produced 255 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, per MotorTrend. With a 0-60 MPH time of around 5.8 to 6 seconds, it was legitimately fast for the time and made glorious sounds to boot.

Classic eight-cylinder symphony courtesy of Lamborghini

Unlike flat-plane V8s from rival Ferrari, Lamborghini Jalpa’s aluminum alloy motor uses a conventional 90-degree cross-plane crankshaft. That’s why it retains that signature rumble loved by fans of American muscle cars. However, it was also fairly small at 3.5-liters of displacement. For that reason, it has a more upbeat tempo and rev-happy nature, uniquely combined with a classic rumbly V8 soundtrack.

Coupled with a gated five-speed manual shifter, there’s much to enjoy in the Jalpa’s driving experience. Like any Italian exotic, however, maintenance is not cheap or easily obtained at just any garage. It’s worth seeking out an experienced professional to make sure a Japla is maintained according to factory standards, or better. Due to the Weber multi-carburetor setup, in particular, it pays to have a tenured expert on hand to make sure the complex fueling system is synchronized correctly.

Rocky drove a Lamborghini Jalpa in Rocky IV

Rocky IV Sign
The marquee of the Fox Westwood Village Theatre heralds the 1985 West Los Angeles, California premiere of “Rocky IV.” | George Rose via Getty Images

Despite its role as Sylvester Stallone’s ride of choice in the blockbuster film Rocky IV, the Lamborghini Jalpa was far from a sales success. Between 1981 and 1988, the automaker only made 420 of them. For some, it just didn’t have the wow factor or cachet of a V12-powered Countach, even though they looked similar on the outside.

Final thoughts

Regardless of comparisons to its larger siblings, the Jalpa is a unique piece of Lamborghini history with a thrilling eight-cylinder soundtrack. Its obscurity makes it a relative bargain compared to the Countach, and it’s also easier to drive, per Silodrome. For anyone that enjoys classic V8 sounds paired with exotic looks, the Jalpa is worthy of consideration. It’s a classic Lambo that begs to be driven and enjoyed, as long as you commit to the maintenance.

RELATED: Before the Countach There Was the Similarly Wedge-Shaped but More Practical Lamborghini Urraco

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Cars And Bids: Pristine Third-Gen Mazda RX-7 JDM Gem

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Paying attention to car auction sites like Cars And Bids may seem like an endless rabbit hole of FOMO, but it can be a valuable use of time for those who have the means. Diligent observers can come across rare JDM cars in excellent condition like the third-generation Mazda RX-7 seen here. Those from Gen Y and Gen Z will have no idea just how impactful the third-gen Mazda RX-7 was outside of watching Initial D, so pay attention if you want to learn something.

We are going to talk about what makes the Mazda RX-7 so special, why we will perpetually be angry at Mazda for taking it away and take a deep dive into the specific RX-7 that is currently up for grabs. Consider this your official warning for anyone triggered by seeing incredible cars that they can’t currently purchase due to room, finances, or spousal isolation. We cannot be held responsible for any snap decisions you may make!

Why the Mazda RX-7 is amazing

1993 Mazda RX-7 | Cars And Bids

Many causal gearheads do not realize it, but Mazda is one of the smallest Japanese auto manufacturers. Mazda has had a huge presence in car culture and motorsports worldwide, but the truth is relatively speaking, they are a small company. That being said, Mazda’s size means that they are more likely to take risks to stand up with their larger competitors. At least, they used to be more likely to take risks.

In the 1970s, Mazda wanted to produce an inexpensive sports car with plenty of power, excellent balance, and low weight. The problem was that just about every other manufacturer was trying to do the same thing. Mazda needed to do something differently. Their answer was equipping their sports car with a rotary engine. That is how the original Mazda RX-7 was born. In 1993 the third generation of the Mazda RX-7 was released, and it was an instant hit. It came equipped with two turbos and a beautifully designed exterior that is elegant and sporty at the same time. Unfortunately, the third-gen Mazda RX-7 was expensive, and its rotary engine was plagued with overheating issues. Eventually, Mazda pulled the plug after just three years on the American market.

That short production time thrust the third-gen Mazda RX-7 into “JDM gem” territory. To this day, it is tough to find one on the second-hand market—especially one without gaudy external modifications.

Buy this JDM car right now on Cars and Bids

1993 Forrest Green Mazda RX-7 facing towards the left of the frame with sunset lighting.
1993 Mazda RX-7 | Cars and Bids

Because of the devastatingly short production run of the Mazda RX-7, there is an excellent chance that many of you reading this right now have never even seen an example in person before. If you’re one of those people and you have a spare $20,000 laying around then, you really want to visit the Cars and Bids auction site right now. There is a listing for a 1993 Mazda RX-7 in relatively great condition with 69,000 miles on the odometer and no exterior modifications.

The car is currently located in Simi Valley, California, and has remained in the sunny, coastal state for the entirety of its life. While the RX-7 is free of rust and has no accidents on its record, it isn’t perfect. There are some cracks and chips in the paint as well as the dashboard.

The car isn’t stock either. The exterior is mostly factory, but several performance modifications make this car more or less desirable, depending on who you are. The owner upgraded the turbochargers and added an ECU tuner from APEXi, an HKS boost controller, thicker apex seals, larger fuel injectors, an upgraded intercooler, and other modifications. The complete spec list is on the auction listing.

When this article was written, there were three days left in the auction, and the high bid was $18,250; in the current used car market, that is an excellent price for a rare JDM car in good condition.

If someone can win this auction and stay under $20,000, they will have won the internet in our book.

RELATED: Mashup: Mazda Miata With An RX-7 Rear End-Looks Good

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What Does 4Runner Stand For?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Toyota 4Runner is among the last of a dying breed of true body-on-frame SUV models still in production. It’s an SUV that seats five or seven people, depending on the configuration. It is among the trucks in Toyota’s lineup that offers a TRD Pro trim, in addition to other off-road packages. But what does 4Runner Stand for? 

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner | Toyota

What does the Toyota SUV name 4Runner mean?

a red 1992 Toyota 4Runner driving on a rocky dirt trail in the mountains
1992 Toyota 4Runner | Toyota

According to Toyota’s FAQ archive, 4Runner is a Toyota SUV name that combines the terms 4-wheel drive and off-road runner. So, what do you get when you have a 4×4 SUV that’s equipped to run on off-road trails with ease? A Toyota 4Runner. 

In fact, the Toyota 4Runner is known for its ability to traverse terrain off the beaten path. So the name fits. The first 4Runner in North America came out in 1984. Poised to compete with domestic heroes like the Chevy Blazer and the Ford Bronco, the 4Runner was a workhorse SUV that quickly gained popularity here in the states. 

The original 4Runner entered the market as a Baja-inspired 4×4 SUV with an affinity for off-road activities. A romp in the desert or some rock crawling in the mountains were its appeal then and still are. This rugged Toyota SUV has since won the hearts of countless fans. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see used Toyota 4Runners for sale from virtually every model year ever produced.

The 4-wheel drive off-road runner describes what this SUV is perfectly well. The 4Runner Toyota SUV name is easily one of the most recognizable in the market. And now we know definitively that 4Runner stands for 4-wheel drive off-road runner.

Is the 2022 Toyota 4Runner a good SUV? 

If you like going off-road, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner is one of the best new SUVs you can buy. It boasts high reliability ratings and strong resale value. Plus, the trim lineup ranges from the $37,305 SR4Runner to the range-topping TRD Pro 4Runner starting at $52,120. There are eight Toyota 4Runner trims total. 

The 2022 4Runner, and other recent model years, sometimes get some flack from critics like U.S. News and World Report for featuring a dated interior design. It’s also not exactly known for being ultra cushy and luxurious when driving on-road. Even the TRD Sport 4Runner “isn’t as sporty as its 20-inch wheels, hood scoop, and Sport badges suggest, but unlike most other models except for the more luxurious Limited, it features adaptive dampers that are designed to improve body control,” according to Car and Driver’s review. 

Still, it’s a good SUV if you want space for cargo and good off-road capability. Reliability and resale value are also likely on buyers’ priority lists. So, considering the Toyota 4Runner is a 4×4 SUV that checks all of these boxes, we’d say it’s a great SUV for the right people. 

What’s in a name? 

There are a few Toyota names that have letters and numbers in them. In fact, the 4Runner’s smaller sibling the Toyota RAV4 has a name that stands for something too. RAV4 stands for “Recreational Active Vehicle with 4wd.” In the name “Toyota C-HR,” C-HR stands for “Coupe High-Rider.” 

It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to use numbers and letters as code in the naming of their fleet. For those that wondered where the name 4Runner comes from, now you know. The 4Runner is a rugged SUV with trail capability. It’s called 4Runner, for 4-wheel drive off-road runner, because that’s exactly what it is.

RELATED: What Does RAV4 Stand For?

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Jason Momoa Admits His Harley Collection Is at Odds With His Eco-Friendly Stance

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While the burly 6-foot 4-inch Aquaman actor might not look like the typical environmentalist, Jason Momoa has become known for his eco-friendly stance. So, when looking at the surface, Momoa’s role as an environmentalist may seem to contradict his love for all things Harley-Davidson. However, Momoa has been able to find balance when it comes to protecting the environment and riding the motorcycles he loves. Read on to learn more about Jason Momoa’s environmentalist beliefs and how he balances these views with his insane motorcycle collection. 

Jason Momoa is all about being eco-friendly 

Jason Momoa and James Corden looking at a pair of motorcycles | Terence Patrick/CBS via Getty Images

Jason Momoa was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1979. However, he spent most of his youth with his mother in Norwalk, Iowa. Once high school graduation rolled around, Momoa traveled back to his father’s native Hawaii and landed his first acting gig at just 19-years-old in the action drama series Baywatch Hawaii. According to IMDb, Momoa went on to have an impressive acting career. 

Momoa’s biggest acting gigs have come from the 2004 TV series Stargate: Atlantis, the 2011 HBO series Game of Thrones, the 2011 film Conan the Barbarian. Momoa is also widely known for his recurring appearance as Aquaman in the superhero films created within the DC Extended Universe. All those films portraying Aquaman must have rubbed off on his personal life, too, as Momoa has taken a firm stance on protecting marine ecosystems and supplying clean water sources to the world. 

He has an obsession with Harley-Davidson motorcycles 

While Momoa is passionate about protecting marine ecosystems and being eco-friendly, he is equally passionate about Harley-Davidson motorcycles and essentially anything that goes “vroom, vroom.” Momoa recently told Men’s Journal, “I hoard everything when it comes to bikes and trucks and cars.” During the interview, Momoa also admitted that he’s a “gas and oil guy” and that there’s just something special about the guttural sound “when you kickstart the bike and the motor growls right back at you.” 

Despite Momoa’s love for vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycles, cars, and trucks, he’s been moving more toward the electric side of things to fulfill his need to be eco-friendly as well. During his interview, Momoa revealed, “A lot of my trucks have been converted into e-vehicles. I run solar power, and I love Harley’s electric LiveWire. You twist the throttle and jump to 100 miles an hour in three or four seconds. It’s a whole different sport, and there ain’t nothin’ about it except—bravo!” With statements like these, it’s easy to see that Jason Momoa’s love for Harley-Davidson runs deep. 

Momoa’s motorcycle collection is insane

While Momoa is making huge efforts toward moving electric, his epic motorcycle collection still includes some classics. Through his acting success, Momoa certainly has acquired enough spending money to buy all the motorcycles he could ever want. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Momoa and his wife, actor Lisa Bonet, have a combined net worth of $14 million, providing plenty of funds for Momoa’s Harley collection.

When discussing his collection, Momoa said, “I feel like I’m in a time capsule,” with his bikes spanning from the early 1900s to the present day in his garage. Momoa’s favorite motorcycles in his epic Harley-Davidson collection are the 1916 Model J, 1936 Knucklehead, and 1956 Panhead. Momoa even calls his 1956 Panhead Mabel after his grandmother, proving just how special the bike is to him. While Momoa does have his favorites, he admitted, “I love them all—knuckles, pans, shovels. They’re all different, they all sound great, and they’re all f*cking awesome.”

RELATED: Harley-Davidson Introduces Electric E-Bike Line

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