This 1975 Lamborghini Espada is a late Series III example that was originally delivered to the US before making its way back to Europe a few years ago. Up to this point, Lambo’s “Italian Rolls-Royce” was their best seller, and this one looks sharp in white over a deep, dark red with small Euro-market bumpers. The factory automatic trans is going to mute Bizzarrini’s wonderful quad-cam V12 a bit, but these were big, comfy GT cars first and foremost, and at one of just 55 or so thus equipped, it is quite a rarity. Find it here on Veni Vidi Vici Classic Cars in Castricum, Netherlands for 129,000 euros (-$137k USD today).
White is reported to be a respray of the car’s original color, and finish looks nice. It’s a somewhat unusual color for an Espada, and though not at all bad here, it does seem to wash out some of the design’s more interesting lines, particularly around the rear three quarter angle, while simultaneously highlighting all the black vents and ducts with a strong contrast. The repaint dates back nine years according to the seller, at which time the original (and awful) DOT diving board bumpers and marker lights were ditched in favor of Euro-spec pieces. An enticing quartet of polished exhaust tips sit prominently below the Kamm tail, and appear to be nicely polished along with remaining brightwork.
Dark red leather is a nice pop against the crisp exterior, and most of what can be seen looks excellent. The dash top is finished in black, and the instrument panel overlay adds another welcome layer of contrast. That awkwardly large auto shift lever is hard not to notice though, and seems like an afterthought on Lambo’s part–it probably was. Earlier cars had much more interesting dash layouts, but on the other hand, ergonomics are said to have made big improvements by this point, and it’s still very far removed from bland or uninspiring inside.
The rear of the cabin looks just as nice as the front, with virtually no wear noticeable. Amazingly, these seats are reportedly comfortable even for adults, at least moderately sized ones.
The lovely and complex V12 fills the engine bay to capacity, and gulps air through six Weber sidedrafts to help push 321 HP to the rear wheels, with that Borg-Warner automatic in between. We’re not sure all the white details and chromed tank are correct, but they look OK, especially as the rest of the car seems to get the details so right.
Many Espadas are now quite rough, and just as many virtually undrivable, over-restored lawn ornaments. A nicely refurbished car like this one appears to be strikes a better balance, and the automatic could prove to be a very useful bargaining chip.
