Lot 151: 1970 Lamborghini Espada Coupé

A mere five years after introducing its first car, and three years after launching the sensational Miura, Lamborghini again upstaged Ferrari by announcing a full four-seater - the Espada - at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show. It is the stuff of legend that Ferrari-owning industrialist Ferruccio Lamborghini only turned to automobile manufacture as a result of receiving off-hand treatment at Maranello, vowing to build a better car. A successful manufacturer of tractors and related machinery, Lamborghini possessed the resources to realise his dream without having to compromise.
Lamborghini’s first production car, the Touring-styled 350GT, debuted at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show. The work of two of Italy’s most illustrious automobile designers, the 350GT featured a glorious 3.5-litre, four-cam V12 designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, housed in a chassis penned by Gianpaolo Dallara. The 350GT’s four camshafts and all-independent suspension meant that it upstaged the best that Ferrari offered at the time; but to compete with his Maranello rival’s larger models, Lamborghini needed a nominal four-seater, and the 4.0-litre 400GT 2+2 duly appeared in 1966. Despite its novice status as an automobile manufacturer, Lamborghini had quickly dispelled any lingering doubts about its ability to compete with the world’s best Gran Turismos.
Named after a matador's sword, the Espada was styled along lines similar to those of the stillborn, rear-engined, six-cylinder Marzal but carried its 4.0-litre, four-cam V12 up front. The latter - first seen in the 400GT and used also by the contemporary Islero - produced 325bhp, an output sufficient to propel the distinctive Bertone-styled coupé to 150mph (242km/h). Islero running gear was employed but wedded to a platform-type, semi-monocoque chassis rather than the former's tubular frame. Introduced in January 1970, the Series II cars came with an extra 25bhp, 155mph (250km/h) top speed and an improved dashboard layout. Espada production ceased in 1978 after 1,217 cars had been built.

Other than the fact that its engine appears to be seized, little information had been made available about this left-hand drive example at time of going to press. It is hoped that further information will be available at time of sale. Offered without reserve.

Au moment de l'impression de ce catalogue, peu d'informations nous sont parvenues à propos de cet exemplaire à conduite à gauche, à part le fait que le moteur semble bloqué. Nous espérons en savoir davantage au moment de la vente. Vendue sans prix de réserve.