Lamborghini Espada | Spotted

Not just any Espada, either, if such a thing exists - a right-hand drive, Series 3, manual Espada...

While Lamborghini is typically associated with the wedgiest and most exotic of mid-engined supercars - because it’s made so many icons - it also has a rich history in front-engined dream machines as well. Which has culminated in the Urus, ultimately, but let’s gloss over that for the moment. Because front-engined Lambos are cool (apart from that one), and of course represent the origins of the brand: the first Lamborghini was the 350GT, a V12 stunner to rival Ferrari’s 250. That became the 400GT, which was replaced by the Islero, which was then followed up by the Jarama, more than a decade of deeply cool Lambos with the engine ahead of the driver. Only once the world had seen the Miura, was the writing on the wall.

There was more than just those early cars in the front-engined hall of fame - who could forget the LM002? Now there’s a Lamborghini SUV. Plus, of course, the car you see here: the fascinating Espada. People talk of how a Miura must have looked in the real world almost 60 years ago, but it seems fair to say that the Espada, long and low and with those incredible glass expanses, must have attracted a fair few gawps as well. It’s really like little else before or since in the way it looks, while the concept of the Espada - two doors but four proper seats, distinctive looks, glorious V12 - isn’t dissimilar to the Ferrari FF of decades later, if without the driven front axle.

There were never very many Espadas; it hails from a time when fewer supercars were made, and the Miura must have gobbled up a lot of production resources. (Indeed, on PH right now, there are more Miuras for sale than Espadas, even with asking prices around ten times as much.) For a decade between 1968 and 1978, it’s reckoned around 1,200 Espadas were made; it would be intriguing to know how many of those remain, given the enormous effort that must go into upkeep and where values once sat.

This one is notable for a few reasons. It’s a Series 3 Espada, the final iteration, which benefited from better brakes, standard power steering, and a revised dash layout; it also features the five-speed manual, rather than using the TorqueFlite auto. And it’s a right-hand drive Espada, which makes it incredibly rare: there are only believed to be about 120 RHD S3s. While it’s not clear whether this is an original UK car, having a steering wheel on the side that benefits us is hugely useful. Imagine having to pilot something like this from the left-hand side over here.

This one has been with the current owner for ten years, in which time they’ve had the Espada bare metal resprayed. Fittingly, it looks absolutely sensational. The ad suggests that steering, suspension, and brakes have been refreshed ‘over time’; probably, it’s worth banking on sorting a few bits to get it tip-top. This is a V12 Lamborghini GT from 1973, after all.

But what a prospect owning and using an Espada remains. The Ferrari alternatives of the era just aren’t as interesting, and because of soaring values attached to more famous models of the time, it’s one of the less expensive ways into the classic V12 Lambo life. Autos are still around at less than £100,000; expect to pay more than that for this one. And a whole lot more to keep it in fine fettle. But classic GTs are rarely so good for staring at...

SPECIFICATION | LAMBORGHINI ESPADA

Engine: 3,939cc, V12
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 355@7,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 291 @ 5,500 rpm
MPG: Pass
CO2: See above
First registered: 1973
Recorded mileage: 50,000
Price new: Many millions of lira
Price now: £POA

See the full ad

OP Posts Only

Prev 2 3 4 5 Next

OP Posts Only

Author

Discussion

Motormouth88

Original Poster

681 posts

80 months