Lamborghini Espada - superlative Gran Turismo with a powerful sound

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Lamborghini Espada - superlative Gran Turismo with a powerful sound

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Created on May 13, 2013

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the Bertone-Gandini design drew a lot from the Marzal

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - an extremely flat four-seater

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the silhouette largely corresponds to that of the Marzal

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - impressive proportions - in red it looks downright aggressive

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - generous glazing

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the loading sill appears high, but the whole car is low

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - View through the tailgate into the interior

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - 300 km/h was perhaps a little optimistic after all

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - relatively flat-bottomed steering wheel

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the gearshift is easy to hold

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - additional ventilation openings compared to the Marzal

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - Air intakes on the hood

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - with large twin headlights at the front

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - no problem with the right of way on the highway

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the four-liter V12 with four overhead camshafts

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - six Weber horizontal twin carburetors supply fuel and air for over 320 hp

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - Central locks

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the wheels were also used on the Miura

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - Bertone's name on the flank

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the Bertone-B on the flank

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the two windshield wipers fold together in the middle

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the bull on the hood

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the bull above the large cooling opening

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - Door handles without frills

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the fuel tank openings are concealed under these decorative grilles on both sides

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - for decoration and to cover the fuel filler neck

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the rear lights

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - even the trunk is transparent

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - like the trumpets of Jericho

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the type lettering on the rear fender

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Lamborghini Marzal (1967) - breathtaking Bertone prototype, designed by Marcello Gandini

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Lamborghini Marzal (1967) - gullwing doors and beehive rear end

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Lamborghini Marzal (1968) - with open full-length gullwing doors

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Lamborghini Marzal (1967) - large glass surfaces on the four-seater coupé

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Lamborghini Marzal (1967) - Interior - the honeycomb theme is repeated inside

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Lamborghini Espada (1968) - Gran Turismo for those in a hurry

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Lamborghini Espada (1968) - the four-seater coupé

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Lamborghini Espada (1968) - powerful front view

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Lamborghini Espada (1968) - harmonious design by Marcello Gandini

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Lamborghini Espada (1968) - spacious interior

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Lamborghini Espada (1968) - the four-seater interior

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Lamborghini Espada (1969) - most were ordered in dark colors

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - exhibited at the Motor Show

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - elegant shape and plenty of space

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Lamborghini Espada (1973) - has lost none of its elegance even after five years of construction

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Lamborghini Espada (1973) - Transparency drawing

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Lamborghini Espada (1975) - a 400 GTS - the sports car matured with dignity

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Summary

The Lamborghini Espada was one of the most admired cars at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show. Bertone and Gandini had succeeded in giving the four-seater with front engine a shape that was forward-looking, elegant and practical at the same time. Equipped with highly developed Lamborghini technology, the Espada was the GT to beat in its class. This report portrays an early Lamborghini Espada from the second series, built in 1970, and attempts to explore the fascination of this Granturismo with pictures and sound samples.

This article contains the following chapters

A decision of the heart
Modern and impressive design
350 horsepower for the bull
Price is a matter of opinion
The big difference
Sweaty but satisfying work
Further information

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Anyone who had made it big in the late 1960s and could afford to buy a slightly more extravagant vehicle in terms of status, but didn't want to do without four full-size seats and sportiness, couldn't really avoid the Lamborghini Espada. They probably didn't want to miss out on the hot-blooded bull from St. Agata, because once they had felt its hoarse breath, they didn't want to live another day without it. The purchase of a Lamborghini Espada was not the result of a calculation; any accountant would certainly have advised against it immediately. Espada buyers listened to their hearts, which was the only way they could, like young boys in love, overlook the weaknesses of the luxury GT they bought.

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