Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 156 ¤
1973 Lamborghini Espada Series III Coupe Design by Bertone Chassis no. 8954 Engine no. 40966
Sold for US$85,120 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 156¤
1973 Lamborghini Espada Series III Coupe Design by Bertone
1973 Lamborghini Espada Series III Coupe
Design by Bertone
Chassis no. 8954
Engine no. 40966
Design by Bertone
Chassis no. 8954
Engine no. 40966
3,929cc DOHC V-12 Engine
6 Weber 40DCOE Carburetors
370bhp at 6,200rpm
5-Speed Manual 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 2011
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 late 1972, 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 Modena Cars in New York on January 13, 1973. While the early history of this example is not recorded, it appears to have been the subject of a few decades old repaint in pearl black, but the interior looks to be nicely presented and original save for the inclusion of an early-1990s Clarion radio headunit.
It was acquired by the current owner in April of 2011 and has been largely garaged without use since then. Ripe for recommissioning, this elegant example of the Bertone-designed Espada—one of a mere 483 Series III cars built—and offers its next caretaker the opportunity for ample V-12 power along with room for four.
6 Weber 40DCOE Carburetors
370bhp at 6,200rpm
5-Speed Manual 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 2011
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 late 1972, 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 Modena Cars in New York on January 13, 1973. While the early history of this example is not recorded, it appears to have been the subject of a few decades old repaint in pearl black, but the interior looks to be nicely presented and original save for the inclusion of an early-1990s Clarion radio headunit.
It was acquired by the current owner in April of 2011 and has been largely garaged without use since then. Ripe for recommissioning, this elegant example of the Bertone-designed Espada—one of a mere 483 Series III cars built—and offers its next caretaker the opportunity for ample V-12 power along with room for four.
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