Vehicle Description
When the wild looking Espada first appeared in 1968, Automobili Lamborghini was still in its infancy. While Ferruccio Lamborghini had been in the tractor and farm equipment business for quite some time, he was still very much a newcomer in the sports car world. But that didn’t stop him from making a bold statement with his cars. His first full production car, the 400GT was a rather conventional machine with a front engine, rear-wheel drive layout, a magnificent 60 degree V12 and elegant, somewhat understated Carrozzeria Touring coachwork. But soon after the 400GT came the outrageous and magnificent Miura – the father of the modern Supercar and the first production car with a transverse, mid-mounted engine. The technologically advanced Miura chassis was wrapped in breathtaking bodywork designed by Bertone and the car created a frenzy of excitement. Mr. Lamborghini had envisioned a car to fit between these two models, one that could ferry his wealthy clientele across the continent in great style and comfort. While the 400GT and its sister Islero offered 2+2 seating, it was hardly a place to put four adults for a long journey. This new car should carry four adults in comfort but return thundering performance at the same time. The Espada (Spanish for a bullfighter’s sword) would debut in 1968 with dramatic bodywork penned by Marcello Gandini of Bertone and fitted with a front-mounted 3.9 liter 60 degree V12 fed by six sidedraught Weber carburetors. A robust, Lamborghini-designed 5-speed gearbox was mated to the V12 with tall gearing that returned a 150+ mph top speed. Compared with the Espada, chief rival Ferrari’s 365GT 2+2 was downright conservative. The Espada proved to be Lamborghini’s most popular model to date with 1217 units built over a 10 year period. Three series were built, the S1, S2 (officially known as the 400GTE) and the S3. Today, the Espada has gained a loyal and ever-growing following as its wild styling has found favor with enthusiasts who also appreciate it for the fabulously comfortable and usable GT car that it is.
Our featured 1971 Espada is a desirable Series II “400GTE” model, S/N 8510. Subject of a light restoration some time ago, this is a very well-maintained example that presents beautifully, finished in an attractive shade of metallic burgundy over a lovely and fresh tan leather interior. The exterior is accented by a fantastic set of signature Campagnolo magnesium alloy knock-off wheels finished in silver and wrapped in 215/70 R15 Pirelli P5 radials, which will easily handle the performance of the big Espada. The burgundy paint is of excellent quality, with very nice finishing and detailing on the body, brightwork and bumpers. It would be a worthy contender for casual show, but will likely offer the greatest reward out on the road.
The luxurious cabin is awash in beautiful, fresh tan leather with virtually no wear to be found. The second series Espada got a revised dash that has more conservative styling than the earlier cars, but is far more functional and user friendly. A beautiful, thin-rimmed wood and alloy steering wheel greets the driver who has the pleasure of controlling the legendary 3.9 liter V12 engine, which puts power through a robust and satisfying 5-speed manual ‘box. For the series II, compression was bumped to 10.7:1 allowing a full 350 horsepower – the highest rated of all three series produced. On this example, the engine bay is tidy and well detailed, displaying signs of regular maintenance and care. A compression test was very recently performed, revealing a very healthy V12, with all cylinders within 5psi of one another. It benefits from a recent mechanical and cosmetic freshening and is ready for enjoyment. Included in the sale are a spare set of knock offs, some recent service records and a partial tool roll. This gorgeous driving, gorgeous looking Espada 400GTE is one of our favorite exotic grand touring cars from the era.
