You’re gonna think I’m off my rocker, but Lamborghini’s Espada is as competent a grocery-getter as it is a grand tourer. The rear seats are more spacious than any 2+2, though still not on a par with most American cars, and the rear hatch opens wide, offering enough cubic feet to handle the week’s vittles. Then there’s the matter of that sonorous V12: if you like to get the shopping over with ASAP (like moi), this engine is made for fast getaways. In addition to these merits, today’s example is the beneficiary of a meticulous but aging restoration. Find it here at Sotheby’s Motorsport, bid to $96,500. The car can be retrieved from Bolton, Ontario, Canada. Thanks for the tip, Araknid78!
Vestiges of a correct restoration remain, including the quilted underhood insulation and the various instruction and identification stickers installed on its mechanical components. But the star of the show is this 350 hp, 3.9-liter quad-cam V12, inhaling through six Webers. A five-speed manual gearbox brings power to the rear wheels, and big ventilated Girling discs at all four corners provide plenty of “whoa”. Twin fuel tanks lie on either side of the trunk, with separate fillers behind black grilles in the C-pillars. These have been reconditioned, as has the suspension.
The interior was reupholstered in brown leather during the car’s restoration. Beige carpets and mahogany trim finish out the cabin. Jaeger instruments, a dash clock, and a removable radio are situated in the instrument panel. The car is equipped with power windows and air conditioning. While the Espada qualifies as a driver’s car, you won’t struggle with an overly sporty shift lever: this model changes gears like butter. The car comes with manuals, a tool kit, and other worthwhile extras.
Marcello Gandini at Bertone penned the car’s taut lines: the Espada appears large – with its wide snout and modified fastback styling – but it’s not. Park it next to a vintage Mustang Mach 1, and the American car is 2″ longer and almost 4″ taller. A clear glass panel set into the rear and sheet metal nearly devoid of boy-racer features push the styling toward the elegant end of the spectrum. These four-seaters have deflated price-wise recently, after surging along with every other exotic about ten years ago. If an Espada is on your bucket list, you might want to watch this one as the countdown brings it to a close.
Short stroke š®š¹ motor, so keep busy on the pedals and shifter. Awesome feature, nice find š· and thx Michelle.
Sweet!! $100k now, ends tomorrow.
And probably costs that much a year to maintain !
On my list of cars that you drag the chair and beer out and just look at.
Could I risk likely financial strain and certain divorce to have this? Has me thinking…
Wow!! This has got to be a blast to drive and listen to. I wouldn’t even bother turning on the radio sitting waaayy over by the passenger. That V12 is all the music I’d need to hear. It’s up to $101,000 now. Somebody really wants it. It’ll be interesting to see what it sells for when it ends. Thanks Michelle!!!
Mamma Mia! Hell yes Iām going to get my groceries in it, along with any other excuse I can come up with to drive it.
Remember when cars were beautiful?
108K with 4 hours to go. No mention of a reserve, so it either didn’t have one, or it has already been met.
One of my favorite Matchbox cars that I used to have was the Marzal, which was the show car that became the Espada.
Six carburetors–yes, Michelle, these will provide ample inhaling for the engine.
License plate says it all “Lira Pit”….hehehe
As soon as I saw the “gonna” I knew who had written the article! If the Espada (“Sword” in Spanish) is in decent shape, then so far it is priced within reason. Recently I read about one that Paul McCartney owned and sold after it somehow made its way into his swimming pool (apparently something to do with his wife Linda having caused the mishap). It had been fixed but had to be sold for a big discount.
Went to $155k, reserve not met.
Sold for $155,000
Take another look, reserve not met.
Love the mechanicals, and the interior, but this looks like a kit car, and not a very pretty one. Sorry.
The auction ended a 5pm Eastern and it’s now listed at $195,000 obo.
The personalized plate speaks volumes- Lira Pit!!
Maybe it means “Love Italian Racing Automobiles – Pretty Incredible Transportation”? Then again maybe not. š¤£
Nice write-up as usual Michelle. Thanks for the acknowledgement.
Car has been bid to $195,000. Can’t tell if it sold. The auction ended on August 20,