Lamborghini Garage, Whyteleafe

[Ocarru]

Hoping someone can help?

I’m trying to find a photograph, or two, of the Lamborghini dealership that used to be located in Whyteleafe, Surrey during the 1970/80s.

If anyone was lucky enough to have visited, I would be really grateful to hear from you.

[Robert W]

Any idea what it was called and the full address?

[Ocarru]

Don’t know the name unfortunately but I understand that it was on the A22 Godstone Road, opposite the Whyteleafe Tavern pub.
I think Bob The Cop posted a photograph of the pub on another thread.

[paddy1970]

The Lamborghini dealership you are referring to was known as Berlinetta Italia, located on Godstone Road (A22) in Whyteleafe, Surrey, during the 1970s and 1980s. This dealership was situated opposite the Whyteleafe Tavern pub.

Photographs of Berlinetta Italia from that era are scarce. However, the book "Lambo! - Lamborghini-Spotting in the 1970s and 1980s" by John Leaman includes over 130 images from 1978 to 1986, some of which feature the Berlinetta Italia garage in Whyteleafe.

Additionally, the Francis Frith Collection offers historic photographs of Whyteleafe, including images of the Whyteleafe Tavern circa 1960, which may provide contextual background of the area during that period.

[Ocarru]

Thank you very much paddy1970.

I’ll try the Francis Frith Collection, as I’ve been trying to find an historic society for Whyteleafe.

The book looks interesting, but I’m struggling to find a copy I can afford…

[Ian.C]

I have been searching for old photos of the premises and the numerous other Lamborghini dealer sites of the 70s for some time.
I have not found any pictures in archives sources of the local Surrey area.
The premises were 189 Godstone Road and located near the roundabout and opposite the Whyteleafe Tavern.
Ground level rose steeply on the site, which was split level.
The lower level of the site was I believe a Citroen dealer and petrol station, with Berlinetta Italia's showroom on the upper level with workshop sheds at the rear.
The premises were very modest, but I believe had been chosen to reduce overheads from the central London location at a time when Lamborghini car sales had fallen from the 72/ 73 peak.

Berlinetta Italia the importer was formed around May 1975 and located at 189 Godstone Road until around 1980 (trading later as a different company)
I visited in June 81 and the site was derelict save for a cut up Urraco bodyshell outside the workhop.
I later visited the site in 2016 hopjng to find and photo the premises,only to see an appartment block constructed where the premises were formerly.
The only picture I have seen of the showroom is in Supercar Nostaglia's web site with photo of Countach chassis 74 in the upper shoroom with Urraco / Espada and the Whyteleafe Tavern gable wall and chimney clearly visible across the road.

[TonyAM66]

Hi Ian, .... have you tried this chap Email: [e-mail] who has a number of old WhyteleafeImages

[ratrod 2]

Ocarru said:

Hoping someone can help?

I’m trying to find a photograph, or two, of the Lamborghini dealership that used to be located in Whyteleafe, Surrey during the 1970/80s.

If anyone was lucky enough to have visited, I would be really grateful to hear from you.

The only Lamborghini agent that i can remember in the Surrey area was after Portman not before,


The guys name was John Chappelle ,a Porsche specialist operating from a unit on the Thorpe industrial estate close

to Maranello's old workshop,


It was a brief spell from memory with John carrying on with his Porsche's after.

Not sure if David Jolliffe was involved or not,

John looked after my 930 Turbo which was handy as it was just across the road from Maranello's ,

Must have been early 90's,

Remember John at Goodwood with a almost new red Diablo covered in graphics hooning round trying to keep infront of a hard

driven BDA Caterham which eventually blasted past him and disappeared with John making all sorts of excuses ,

Think the Diablo was taking part in some sort of European run hence covered in stickers,

After leaving my 930 with him to have the wheels refurbished i asked if he had a loan car as it was getting late ,

he replied yes of cause and walked me to a white and red Citroen Dolly ,i thought that looks a lot more fun than a long train ride.


On returning the 2CV he admitted to me that i was the only customer who ever took him up on the offer most preferring to walk,

Don't think somehow todays Porsche agents would get away with that,

Thanks to John i've owned three 2 CV's, good enough for Chris Harris good enough for me.

Edited by ratrod 2 on Wednesday 15th January 11:08

[cgt2]

David may have been involved as I believe he lived that way?

[Bob the Cop]

I have attached two photos regarding Whyteleafe. One is from a car magazine detailing the address of the showroom.



The other is of the workshop area on the upper level of the premises. This photo is the property of Del Hopkins, he is pictured in the middle with Louis and Ron on either side. Sadly Ron and Louis are no longer with us.
I believe that the only survivors from this era are Del, myself and Roger Phillips who is not very active due to his health. I have not been able to locate any other photos of the showroom.

[cgt2]

Bob the Cop said:

I have attached two photos regarding Whyteleafe. One is from a car magazine detailing the address of the showroom.



The other is of the workshop area on the upper level of the premises. This photo is the property of Del Hopkins, he is pictured in the middle with Louis and Ron on either side. Sadly Ron and Louis are no longer with us.
I believe that the only survivors from this era are Del, myself and Roger Phillips who is not very active due to his health. I have not been able to locate any other photos of the showroom.

Del looks exactly the same today!

[Ian.C]

Thank you for posting Bob.
It would have been wonderful torecord the times in more detail.

The picture really captures the time.
I imagine there was great ingenuity maintaining the cars in the workshop.

I will share my only photo of Whyteleafe, showing the rear hardstanding and workshop door.
I took the photo in June 1981, when the premises were derelict.
Not sure when the site was vacated but from recolllection it looked like many months
The P250 shell, without the front end looked sad.