by Mike –
As a follow up to the recent Post about Lamborghini Espada values I am asking the same question today about the Lamborghini Islero.
The beautiful Lamborghini Islero was auctioned by Gooding in Monterey in August 2013.
It sold for $247,500, probably the highest price ever paid for an Islero.
Does this sale mean all Isleros are now more valuable? Read on and let us know what you think in the Comments.
Ferruccio Lamborghini ‘s Personal Car
The Islero description from the Gooding catalog,
By 1968, Lamborghini faced a number of challenges. While the dramatic Miura and groundbreaking four-seat Espada had captured the attention of the world, the company needed a successor for the 400 GT 2+2.
Carrozzeria Touring, who built them, had gone into receivership. Lamborghini turned to Carlo Marazzi, a former Touring manager who had taken over the company’s assets.
Together, they redesigned the 400 GT with updated styling which had the added benefit of being less expensive to build. The result was the Islero.
With the four-liter, 320 hp V-12 and its elegant, simple, clean styling, it was exactly the kind of “businessman’s express” closest to Ferruccio Lamborghini’s heart.
This Islero was the personal car of Ferruccio Lamborghini.
The big factor here, in addition to the beautiful color combination and the excellent condition, is this Islero was the personal car of Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of the company.
Does this record price have an impact on the value of Islero examples that were not owned by Ferruccio Lamborghini?
A wooden gas cap?
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
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~ the wooden gas cap is beautiful! it appears to be a close match to the dash, shift knob and steering wheel.
. i’d think the provenance places this car well above another example in similar condition.
The wood that the gas cap and dash are made out of are both original. They are the same wood, and actually it is wood from the same trees that he used in producing his personal boat which had twin motors identical to this one. I’ve seen this car in person, and it is AMAZING!
Well, we are not looking at an average Lamborghini here, but the personal car of the founder himself. Given its condition, history and containing the best that the factory had to offer at that time this a rather unique car. Also, this car was probably assembled away from the regular production by top factory technicians and received extra careful attention to detail as this car was going to be used by Mr. L himself. Also to consider is what can a market of historically significant cars offer for under $250,000? I’d rather get this car over the series 1 e-type that sold at RM and still be $200k ahead of the game….
I think in hindsight this value is correct. They are super rare, and cars with this style are becoming more and more attractive. In May 2016 I purchased a normal Islero in good condition for 260k Euros.