Completed Jalpa Restoration - Interior and Exterior Photos by 74Jarama

4 minute(s) of a 13 minute read

My original Instrument Clusters (Panels) were painted and the paint had been flaking off due to the fact that these parts were made out of a somewhat flexible high density urethane.

I removed the IPs and ordered two NOS sets from Eurospares. The parts I received from Eurospares were not much better aesthetically than the ones I had removed from my car. The parts appeared to have been early shots from the mold (perhaps before the mold had reached operating temperature. Note - these parts are usually discarded, but sometimes do end up in the spare parts bin and then on to dealers). At any rate, the parts from Eurospares looked lousy (i.e. the molding was wavy), but they were unpainted!

I then took the parts over to a friend who is a professional painter who had them painted with a more modern flexible paint. After surface prep, the process was a two part application:

1) SEM Automotive Texture Coating # 39853

and then after adequate drying

2) SEM Automotive Trim Black # 39143


The end result worked out great. I can try to take a few more pictures If you'd like. I should also mention to you or anyone that is interested I do have 2 spare sets that look outstanding... and if interested feel free to send me a message.

8-15-2009

Gentlemen, I believe you are referring to the later model Jalpa's that were equipped with Nardi Steering Wheels. I did a lot of research and I'm pretty sure that the early production models were equipped with Raid Steering Wheels (see attached pictures).

My car came with two types of steering wheels (a spare was stowed in the trunk). To avoid confusion, I'll refer to one steering wheel as the "Jalpa Version" Raid, and the other as the "Countach Version" Raid.

Here are a few examples of early model Jalpa's equipped with "Jalpa Version" Raid Steering Wheels.

Picture #1 - Road & Track Magazine, "Road Test", June 18, 1984

Picture #2 - Motor Sport Magazine, "Feature Test", June 18, 1983

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My second point was that although I originally did not believe that early production Jalpa's came with "Countach Raid" Steering Wheels, I did come across several articles that showed cars equipped with this wheel. My car came with both wheels, hence my interest.


Here are a few examples of early model Jalpa's equipped with "Countach Version" Raid Steering Wheels (see attached pictures).

Picture #1 - Car Magazine, "Jalpa Jive", November, 1982

Picture #2 - Motor Trend Magazine, ""Driving Impressions", December, 1982

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I found the subject fairly interesting. Again, as I stated that although I orginally did not believe that early production Jalpa's ever came with "Countach Version" Raid Steering Wheels... I found evidence of it.

I would be interested to know if the "Countach Version" Raid Steering Wheels were ever equipped on production Jalpa's... or if were they only used on factory test cars? The articles that showed Jalpa's equipped with this style wheel had older publishing dates (late 1982). Perhaps they were equipped on some of the earliest of models? ... Perhaps as a dealer option?

I would be interested in hearing what others have to say. Thanks!