LOT 246
1974 Lamborghini Espada Series III Coupe Design by Bertone Chassis no. 9548 Engine no. 41381
Sold for US$42,560 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 246
1974 Lamborghini Espada Series III Coupe Design by Bertone
1974 Lamborghini Espada Series III Coupe
Design by Bertone
Chassis no. 9548
Engine no. 41381
Design by Bertone
Chassis no. 9548
Engine no. 41381
3,929cc DOHC V-12 Engine
6 Weber 40DCOE Carburetors
350bhp at 6,200rpm
3-Speed TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Distinctive Bertone styling
*V-12 motoring with room for four
*Delivered new to the US
*In the present ownership since 2007
THE LAMBORGHINI ESPADA
"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-liter, four-cam V-12 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 coupe 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, upgraded brakes, minor suspension improvements and a restyled front grille. Espada production ceased in 1978 after 1,217 of these imposing cars had been built.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This example of the final series Espada was completed at the Sant'Agata, Bolognese based Lamborghini plant on October 14, 1974, and benefits from the refinements carried out throughout the production run. Originally finished in rich Luci del Bosco over a Senape leather interior, it was completed to American spec and delivered new to the California on June 10, 1975. A long time Texas car residing in the Houston area from at the 1990s, at some point the Lambo was painted its current burgundy color scheme while the original interior appears to have been retain. The penultimate owner enjoyed the car from 1996 until it was acquired by the current owner in 2007 and has been largely garaged without use since then. Ripe for recommissioning, this elegant example of the Bertone-designed Espada and offers its next caretaker the opportunity for ample V-12 power along with room for four.
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