Lot 015: 1974 LAMBORGHINI ESPADA

Introduced at the 1968 Geneva Salon, the Lamborghini Espada was a true four-seater supercar. Styled by Marcello Gandini of Bertone, it was visually indebted to the carozzeria's previous 'Marzal' and 'Pirana' show cars. A low-slung menacing 'wedge' (actually no longer than a contemporary Ford Mustang), its Giampaolo Dallara honed pressed-steel platform chassis featured all round coil-and-wishbone suspension, Koni dampers, disc brakes and anti-roll bars. Although, the 'quad-cam' Bizzarini-designed 3929cc V12 was front-mounted and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the Espada enjoyed near ideal front to rear weight distribution (52:48). The world's fastest four-seater at some 155mph, it was justly praised for its handling and ride quality. Debuting at the 1972 Turin Motor Show, the Series III came with power steering and air-conditioning as standard. Boasting 365bhp and 290lbft of torque, it also carried a revised interior, re-jigged rear suspension and uprated brakes. In production at Sant'Agata Bologna for just six years, a mere 456 were supposedly made. Finished in light blue with blue leather upholstery, this particular right-hand drive example is described by the vendor as being in "good" condition with regard to its engine, five-speed ZF manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork and wheels / tyres (while, he rates the paintwork as "excellent"). Said to have been "previously owned by Bono of U2 fame", 'NDS 600N' changed hands at the Bonhams MPH '06 sale for �17,675. Reportedly treated to nearly �20,000 worth of expenditure since then with particular attention being paid to its "paintwork, exhaust, trimwork, clutch, brakes, shock absorbers and tyres etc", the Espada is understood to "drive very well" and to possess "a good gearbox etc". Pleasingly retaining its original leather upholstery, the cabin also boasts "a recovered dashtop and replacement carpets". Believed but not warranted to have covered some 42,000 miles from new, the Lamborghini is apparently accompanied by "lots of paperwork going back to the early 1980s". Riding on correct type alloys and sporting a "superbly presented engine bay", this four-seater supercar is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until November 2008. PLEASE NOTE: The electric motor for the driver's side window on this lot appears to be disconnected.