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LOT 123 Black
Having already amazed the world with his audacious V12 and stunned them with the gorgeous Miura, Ferruccio Lamborghini’s third act was to build a dramatic new front-engined four-seater. Launched in March 1968, the Espada was again styled by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini and the low-slung lines were heavily influenced by the exotic Marzal concept car. The engine was the same fabulous quad-cam V12 found in the Miura, with six twin-choke Weber 40DCOE carburetors and a 5 speed gearbox. The chassis was designed by engineer Gian Polo Dallara, with fully independent suspension, ZF worm and sector steering (power assist was an option from 1970) and disc brakes all round, and the Espada has a reputation for being surprisingly nimble considering its dimensions. The ten year production run for the Espada can be neatly divided into three distinct series and it ultimately became the most successful Lamborghini to date, with 1,217 units built. The first Espadas had a hexagonal dash and knock-off wheels; for the Series 2, Lamborghini raised the compression ratio to boost power to 325 bhp, added ventilated disc brakes and a revised dash layout. The final Espada iteration was the Series 3, announced at the 1973 Turin Motor Show, with a completely redesigned cockpit dominated by a wraparound dashboard, air conditioning was now standard and the option of automatic transmission. Other changes saw recessed headlamps and new tail light clusters, better brakes and ZF power steering as standard. Lamborghini built 456 Series 3 cars before production of ceased in 1978. Formerly owned by the UK Lamborghini Club President, this Series 3 Espada is a desirable manual car with power steering and air conditioning, originally finished in metallic silver with black leather upholstery. Currently showing 89,000 miles and with six documented owners from new, the Lamborghini has been with the present owner, a private Queensland collector, since December 1994. The car was repainted black in 1985 and the interior re-trimmed by Tonino Lamborghini of London. Electric mirrors were fitted in 1995, along with a fuel cutout switch. Needing a little cosmetic work to the body, this Espada is mechanically sound and a great driver and is a matching number car as confirmed by the factory. The Lamborghini comes with a leather pouch with handbooks, two sets of keys and a history folder. With Miuras having broken through the million dollar mark, this is the definitely the most affordable way into a classic V12 Lamborghini. Sold without registration.
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