LOT 23

1969 Lamborghini Espada 400 GT Series I Coupé Coachwork by Carrozzeria Bertone Registration no. VVK 370G Chassis no. 7216

Sold for £89,700 inc. premium

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Lot 23

1969 Lamborghini Espada 400 GT Series I Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Bertone Registration no. VVK 370G Chassis no. 7216

Goodwood Members' Meeting|7 April 2019, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1969 Lamborghini Espada 400 GT Series I Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Bertone
Registration no. VVK 370G
Chassis no. 7216

Footnotes

*Delivered new to France
*One of only 186 Series I cars
*Believed to be matching numbers and colours
*Large file of bills from 1998 onwards with over €93,000 spent since 2008
*Engine professionally overhauled in 2018

'Carrozzeria Bertone unveiled one of its motor show sensations at the 1967 Geneva event, the Marzal. This dramatic concept car was seen as an approach to a four-seat Lamborghini... and it turned out to be a forerunner of the Espada, a genuine four-seater and a distinctive 1960s supercar.' – David Hodges, 'Lamborghini – The Legend'.

Named after a matador's sword, the Espada was styled along lines similar to those of the stillborn, rear-engined, six-cylinder Marzal but carried its 4.0-litre, four-cam V12 up front. The latter - first seen in the 400GT and used also by the contemporary Islero - produced 325bhp, an output sufficient to propel the distinctive, Bertone-styled coupé to 150mph. Islero running gear was employed but wedded to a platform-type, semi-monocoque chassis rather than the former's tubular frame. Introduced in January 1970, the Series II cars came with an extra 25bhp, 155mph top speed, an improved dashboard layout and the option of power assisted steering. The dashboard was revised yet again in late 1972 for the Series III, which also incorporated power steering as standard, up-rated brakes, minor suspension improvements, and a restyled front grille. Espada production ceased in 1978 after 1,217 of these imposing coupés had been built, of which only 186 were Series I examples. Even today there are few cars that can match the on-road presence of the Espada.

Built to European specification in Sant'Agata Bolognese and delivered new to France, this Series I Espada comes with a large file of bills dating back to 1998. Over €108,000 worth of work has been carried out on the car since 1998, including overhauls to the engine, gearbox and clutch undertaken by P3 Automobiles of Cannes in 2009 totalling €30,500 as well as benefitting from the care of Lamborghini specialists Michel Mercier Automobiles in Paris and Automobili Lamborghini. In 2016 the car was repainted in its original Bianco (white) livery by Carrosserie Martin in Paris and a ceramic coating was applied to the paintwork in 2017. A 'Rapport D'Evaluation' by Cerede Bonoron Expertises in 2017 describes the vehicle to be 'in a very satisfactory condition both mechanically and in the bodywork and saddlery'. Other recent work saw the carpets reconditioned, including in the trunk. The only deviations from standard are the fitting of air conditioning and a key circuit breaker for added security.

Chassis number '7216' belonged to French collector Mr Vincent Pierrat from 1998 to 2017 when it passed via a Mr Poujol to the current vendor. Since then the engine has been overhauled again (by Revolution Vehicles in the UK) as the car had been standing, unused, for some time (see bill for £13,000 on file). Described by the private vendor as in generally excellent condition, this beautiful Lamborghini Espada also comes with French 'MoT' certificates, a dating/specification letter, a professional Evaluation Report (2017), current UK MoT, and a V5C Registration Certificate.

Saleroom notices

Please note this Lot's MoT expired in December 2018. It does not posses a current MoT but, as a 1969 motor car, does not require an MoT.

Additional information

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