Vehicle Description
-Black with Beige leather, 4.0-litre V12 engine producing 320 bhp,
5-speed manual, 80,000 Kilometers - 49,000 Miles from new, Three
longer term owners from new, Matching numbers chassis and engine,
An early production first series Islero of a total 225
manufactured, Delivered new to Portugal, Documented by Lamborghini
historian Olivier Nameche.
Launched at the Geneva Salon in 1968, the Islero was a development
of the 400 GT 2+2. The Islero was derived from Ferruccio
Lamborghini's first production car, the 1964 Touring-styled 350 GT.
The 350 GT was the work of three of Italy's most illustrious
automobile engineers, featuring a glorious 3 5-litre, four-cam V12
designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, which was housed in a tubular
chassis developed by Gian Paolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani. The 350
GT's four camshafts and all-independent suspension meant that it
upstaged the best that Ferrari offered at the time. After a slow
start production soon picked up, with 131 350 GTs being completed
before the arrival of the 400 GT and 247 of the latter before it
was superseded by the Islero.
The Islero's square-tube chassis was based on that of its
predecessors, though with wider track to accommodate fatter rubber,
while its elegantly understated coachwork was styled by ex-Touring
personnel led by Mario Marazzi. The model was named after the
legendary bull that had killed Spain's best matador, 'Manolete'.
Housed beneath an impressively low-slung bonnet, Lamborghini's
4.0-litre V12 engine was carried over from the 400 GT and produced
320bhp. Only 125 Isleros were produced, prior to the introduction
of the Islero S.
Car magazine's tested the Islero in 1969. The Islero achieved a
true 252 kph - 159 mph proving to be quiet and stable at speed. It
was quick from a standing start as well with a 0-100 kph/0-62 mph
time of 5.9 seconds, outstanding figures even today.
Delivered new to the Lamborghini importer Vecar, Lisbon, Portugal
on 28th November 1968 in its original color of Argento-Silver (one
of only five produced in this color) with Black leather interior.
Supplied to its first registered owner, the Islero remainder with
its first owner through November 2007! At the time it had 78,000
original kilometers on the odometer and remained in Portugal.
Restored, reportedly by its second owner, this Islero has been in
its second ownership from 2007 through 2013 when it changed hands
once again. The Islero enjoyed its third and most recent ownership
within an important private Belgian collection from 2013 until
September 2024 when purchased by Autosport Designs, Inc.
Currently with 80,300 genuine km's from new, this Islero has been
imported to the United States.
An enormous amount of time and money has been spent to bring this
Islero to its current exceptional standard Cosmetically,
Structurally and Mechanically. With impeccable pedigree and one
only 125 Islero's manufactured prior to the introduction of the
Islero S, the Islero is on our opinion must be the the most
overlooked of Lamborghini's early front-engined models
produced.
A wonderfully opportunity to owned a V-12 Lamborghini with seating
for four for not a lot of money in todays vintage car market and
with the potential to appreciate.
