by Mike –
If you attend many car shows this year you are likely to see more Lamborghini Espadas and Isleros than normal because both are being celebrated for their 50th anniversary.
Espada
Introduced in 1967, and produced from 1968 to 1978, the Lamborghini Espapa was styled by Marcello Gandini of Bertone and based on the Marzal show car and the Bertone Pirana, a rebodied Jaguar E-type, both Gandini’s designs.
From the Transport Bookman Publication – Lamborghini Guide 1963 to 1973
This was Lamborghini’s most successful car to this point with 1,217 produced. It has a great V12 engine designed by Giotto Bizzarrini (with help from Gian Paolo Dallara).
Lamborghini Espada
Lamborghini Espada
The Espada is a very stylish way to carry four people in Italian GT style.
Islero
The Lamborghini Islero is a 2+2 and was the replacement for the 400GT. It was manufactured between 1968 and 1969 with a total of 225 examples being made (100 of those were the ‘S’ version with 350 hp compared to the base model with 325 hp).
From the Transport Bookman Publication – Lamborghini Guide 1963 to 1973
It is essentially a rebody of the 400GT and is closely related to the Espada, using the same engine and manual 5-speed transmission. The Islero has a shorter chassis than the Espada and is thus lighter and will go a little faster than an Espada but the passengers in the rear seats may not be as comfortable.
Lamborghini Islero S – photo by Mike Gulett
Lamborghini Islero – photo by Mike Gulett
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
If you take photos of an Espada or Islero please send them to me for use here on My Car Quest.
Send photos to Mike by email – click here
The cover of the Transport Bookman Publication – Lamborghini Guide 1963 to 1973
We might gain more if you speak YOUR mind.
I have been a customer of cars of this quality since these were created. But you are the only friend that has owned and used one. Have you ever taken a trip with 4 people?
What was that like for you — and them and the car ? I ask because I have owned some nice , fast 4 seaters like my Aston Martin but have never had anyone sit in let alone travel in the rear seats. Not from any policy, might be a ding in my socialabality.
Ken,
Thanks for the note – I have written about my driving impressions of the Espada at the link below. However, I have not yet had 4 people in it at one time.
https://mycarquest.com/2017/12/legendary-lamborghini-espada.html
Is Concorso Italian doing anything special?
Ask Ron Spindler, I saw his Espada full of people many times . Ya OK they were his grandchildren…
Mike,
It was the Ron & Diane Spindler Espada that inspired me to acquire my own Espada. I saw their Espada in Monterey one year after they had driven it from Los Angeles to Monterey for Car Week. It was in the parking lot of Tarpy’s Restaurant and I was smitten. After Diane said it was her favorite classic car to drive up from LA that was it. I started my search then and a few years later I had my own special Espada.
Photos of the red Spindler Espada are at the links below when it was shown at Pebble Beach:
https://mycarquest.com/2013/08/a-few-photos-from-pebble-beach.html
https://mycarquest.com/2013/08/the-winner-of-the-lamborghini-class-at-pebble-beach-a-miura-naturally.html
Lamborghini Espada was really very Superb car. Thank You Mike For refreshing the memories from Your article.