Vehicle Description
CHASSIS NO. 6012
ENGINE NO. 1848
24,909 km (15,477 miles)
3,939cc DOHC V12
6 Weber Carburetors
325bhp at 7,000rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes
*The 5th of Only 125 Isleros built
*Unique characteristics present on only the earliest examples
*Exquisitely restored from top to bottom in striking period
color
*Excellent candidate for the finest Concours events
*Rare Evolution of Lamborghini's Classic 1960s Grand Tourer
Launched at the Geneva Salon in 1968, the Islero was the ultimate
evolution of Ferruccio Lamborghini's first model, the
Touring-styled 350GT. It is widely believed that Ferruccio
Lamborghini himself greatly influenced the car's styling, and it
was generally considered one of his favorite creations. The Islero
was Ferruccios choice of daily driver and the company car which he
maintained. The Islero's square-tube chassis was based on that of
its predecessors, though with a wider track to accommodate wider
tires. Since Lamborghini's go-to coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Touring,
was no longer in business, Lamborghini commissioned ex-Touring
personnel led by Mario Marazzi to design and build the elegantly
understated coachwork which was new for the model. The model was
named after the legendary bull that killed Spain's best matador,
'Manolete'.
As with the 400 GT, housed beneath an impressively low-slung bonnet
was the sonorous 4.0 liter V12 providing the power. The engine was
designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and finessed by Giampaolo Dallara.
This four-cam engine sported six Weber carbs and could spin up to
7,000 rpm. It was rated at 325 horsepower, and a five-speed manual
transmission was standard. The suspension was fully independent,
with unequal-length A-arms and coil springs at all four corners and
Girling disc brakes clamped all four wheels. Contemporary reviews
reported excellent handling and grip. The Islero offered virtually
all the performance of a Miura in a far more civilized package.
Car magazine's test Islero achieved a true 157mph back in 1969,
proving to be as quiet and stable at its maximum as at 130mph. It
was also startlingly quick off the mark, hitting 60mph in just 5.9
seconds and hurtling to 100mph in only 13.7 seconds, outstanding
figures even today. Despite an impeccable pedigree, the Islero, 125
of which were manufactured between 1968 and 1969, is today one of
the most overlooked of Lamborghini's early front-engined cars. The
first Islero was completed by the factory March 6, 1968 and all the
rest of the first series were finished by Christmas except for one
car which was finished on February 17, 1969.
This outstanding example is one of the finest Isleros that has been
brought to market in recent years. Islero production began with
Chassis number 6000, which was the prototype, more commonly
referred to at the ""prototipo"". Each example after the prototype
was counted by 3's, making chassis number 6012 only the 5th Islero
to leave the factory. Cars early on in the production run are noted
to have unique characteristics before the final production
procedures were put into place. One of the most desirable features
of the first 17 cars were the Borrani wire wheels that they were
fitted with, matching the Islero that appeared at the Geneva Salon
and in the company's brochure. The remaining 108 cars wore the
commonly seen production Campagnolo cast magnesium wheels. Number
6012 also wears unique side vents in the front fenders, as noted in
the online Islero database.
In the early 2010s, the car was sent to Italy where it received a
multi-year, nut-and-bolt, rotisserie restoration. Every inch of the
car has been restored to better than new condition. The exterior is
finished in a beautiful and period shade of metallic bronze - the
finish is absolutely incredible. Every fiber of the interior has
been replaced with the highest quality materials. The supple black
leather sea
