1970 Lamborghini Espada Series 1

Description

1970 Lamborghini Espada Series 1 - Chevrolet V8
1 of 176 of the highly desirable Series 1 cars, featuring unique dash, Miura wheels & S1 exclusive design features
Performance built F.I. Chevrolet 5.0-5.7L V8 in place of the Lamborghini 3.9L V12
Miura-style Campagnolo magnesium wheels with 3 ear knock off spinners
Replacement Borg Warner 5 speed, clutch & fluids March 2022
Fuel injected V8 – no V12 & six carburetor complexity & issues
45k miles-
believed to be correct for body & only minor amount accumulated post engine conversion
Leather interior, power windows, AC (compressor needed), VDO clock and original radio
Rare factory style polished Stainless-Steel mufflers – longevity & beauty
Retains the European spec marker lenses and small bumpers
Lowest height production 4-seater at 46.6" -
roomier than contemporary exotics
Series 1 & 2 owners manuals
, literature, show plates & artwork included
SEE VIDEOS at bottom of listing
Bertone's
Marcello Gandini created the four-seat luxury Gran Turismo Espada during the wedge design era, heavily influencing other European and American designs.
Considered the
"four-seat Miura"
, the first generation
(Series 1)
cars represent the
purest iteration
of the
Gandini design
, featuring the highly desirable octagonal dash with Jaeger instrumentation, stainless steel bumpers, small indicator lights, integrated fog lights, retractable antenna, cross hatch grill, early taillights and Miura-style Campagnolo wheels.
Only 176 Series 1 cars
were produced of the total 1217 Espada run, and
few are known to exist
.
This late production S1 was sold new in Rome, Italy to the Lolli Ghetti shipping family and eventually made it to the U.S.
Many fell into disrepair during the '80s & '90s, often suffering from lack of maintenance on the 6 carb V12, likely resulting in the wonderfully converted car seen here.
This unique car went through
two significant restorations
, most notable was a drive-train conversion from the
3.9L V12
to a fuel injected
Chevrolet 5.0/5.7 V8
mated to a
Borg Warner 5 speed
during the late 1980's.
The conversion was professionally done and retained the original Lamborghini differential and kept most of the rest of the car intact.  The performance engine is built on a 5.0 block believed to be either
5.4 or 5.7 capacity
, however exact displacement has not been verified.
Featuring headers and tuned port injection, the engine is similar to the race prepped Corvettes that dominated the SCCA during that era.
The original Lamborghini transmission is known for being slow and not very robust, whereas the
fresh (2022) Borg Warner unit
is the precursor to the ubiquitous Tremec units utilized by many performance cars.
The power train change improved the handling, power delivery and usability.
Gone is the V12's 15 minute warm up, it's now fuel injected,
just start up & go!
Also missing is the
cost & downtime
associated with maintaining an exotic V12.  Handling is quick and direct with the original manual steering unit.  Front seats were reupholstered, new carpeting and a custom fuel cell were installed during the conversion.
Of significant note, the drive train change has
not significantly altered the originality
of the rest of the car, especially the early production features.
Giotto Bizzarrini,
the engineer of the Lamborghini V12, utilized a
similar Chevrolet V8 & Borg Warner
transmission combination in his namesake
Bizzarrini GT
cars and in Iso cars including the infamous Grifo.
He sought power & reliability
- he knew what he was doing!
American power in European bodies was not unheard of with De Tomaso, Bizzarrini, Iso, Intermeccanica, AC, Jensen and others utilized this combination to great success.
While it may not be an original production layout, the change is welcome and quite
absent of the complexity and cost
of maintaining the six-carb V12.
Another upside, engine tune up parts are available at your local parts store!
The
second major effort
occurred around 2011, with the original Verde Pallido (light green) exterior being changed to Azzurro Metallizzato using an existing Toyota color.
Factory style stainless steel mufflers were installed along with sorting of the braking system, horns and electrical system.
More recently, in the Spring of 2022, there was a replacement Borg Warner 5 speed installed along with clutch and fluids.
The Espada was considered a top luxury GT car of the period,
even costing more than the Miura.
The Espada featured a design like no other along with a leather interior for four adults, air conditioning, power windows, stainless steel bumpers, Girling disc brakes, fully independent suspension and Campagnolo magnesium alloy wheels.
The air conditioning will require a compressor to be fitted to be functional (GM units are about 0).
The car retains the original radio and the VDO clock still works!
The Espada stands only 46.6" high and is still considered the
lowest four seat production car, but it fits larger drivers better than contemporary exotics.
Its proportions give it a commanding stance, making it look lower and wider than it is.
It's slightly longer than a first generation ('67-"69) Camaro, and shares overall dimensions closely with the Ferrari F355.
The color and quality of the paintwork is impressive and the car
will stand out at ANY car show
(or parking lot!) it's imposing stance and color draws a significant amount of attention.  While it's a long shot another Espada shows up to an event, not likely another with a V8 rumble!
How does it drive?
Originally designed as a performance minded luxury GT car, this particular car is more sports car than a standard Espada, with
handling akin to a go-cart
. This is due to both the drive train change and being a Series 1 car with manual steering.
Check out the video, but in my opinion, more raw than the V12 with better low-end torque and more responsive handling
than an originally equipped Espada
.
It begs to be driven and has  practicality absent in most sports cars.
While the car is very presentable and usable in its current state, it is also a
candidate for a modern engine change
to make it the ultimate Espada.
Possibilities include a period Chevrolet 327 (like the Bizzarrini GT/ Iso Grifo), Chevrolet LS unit, Lamborghini designed Dodge Viper V10, Diablo V12, Ford small or big block, or an original V12 for the purist - they do exist and are obtainable.
This car will impress anyone familiar with period cars from Ferrari, Maserati, De Tomaso, Iso, Lamborghini, Jaguar, Porsche & Mercedes and it does so with 4 seats and a glass lift-back!
Contact with additional questions.
Please note: Only bid if you have funds readily available to complete the transaction.
The car is located in Illinois with a clean Montana title.
Should you have specific questions or want to clarify payment arrangement - do so well BEFORE the close of auction.  Full payment is due within 5 banking business days.
Bidders intending on exporting the vehicle outside of the U.S., will incur an export fee of 0.
Car must be transported off the premises within 10 days of sale unless other arrangements are made.  Contact regarding free local delivery.
Lamborghini Espada S1 walk around
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ESPADA short drive
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