FROM MILD TO WILD Celebrating 50 years of the Lamborghini Islero and Espada
Automobili Lamborghini was founded in 1963 by Ferruccio Lamborghini, the Italian industrialist whose determined automotive vision came to fruition with the 350 GTV and 350 GT in 1963 and ‘64. With its four-cam V12 engine and styling by Carrozzeria Touring, the 350 GT was quite advanced for its time, and quickly established Lamborghini as an automotive force with which to be reckoned.
Carrozzeria Touring closed its doors in 1966, ending production of bodies for the Lamborghini 400 GT and 400 GT 2+2, successors to the original 350 GT. This coincided with Lamborghini's development of the nowiconic Miura, a styling project awarded to Carrozzeria Bertone and its brilliant designer Marcello Gandini, whose mid-engine marvel cemented the fame of the Lamborghini marque. While the radical Miura was attracting most of the attention, Ferruccio Lamborghini believed that the success of his company was dependent on offering a more traditional GT as well - a gentleman's express - and so the Islero (more properly, Jslero) was born.
Lamborghini assigned the fabrication of Islero bodies to former Touring employee Mario Marazzi, whose Carrozzeria Marazzi also fulfilled outstanding orders of the 400 GT 2+2. The Islero was built on its predecessor's square-tube chassis and 350 hp, 4.0-liter V12 drivetrain. The Islero (Islero GT) was first shown at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show, where Lamborghini also debuted an updated Miura S and its groundbreaking Espada.
The Islero, named after the bull that killed famed Spanish bullfighter “Manolete” in 1947, offered a conservative but contemporary design, featuring crisp edges and pop-up headlamps. The Islero was Ferruccio Lamborghini's preferred driver, despite being overshadowed by its more exotic stablemates throughout its brief production from 1968 through the summer of 1969. During that time, 155 examples were produced*. The Islero S (also known as the GTS) followed, and was distinguished by air intakes behind the front wheels, a hood scoop, discreet fender flares, larger brakes, an updated rear suspension and a revised - and improved - interior. Production ended in 1969, with 70 examples manufactured*. It was succeeded by the Jarama in 1970.
While a small coterie of enthusiasts has always held the Islero in high esteem, it is only recently that this model has received the attention it deserves. With all the attributes of a luxury grand tourer in the finest Italian tradition, both Islero and Islero S are back in the limelight just in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this significant - and classically beautiful - Lamborghini GT.
Lamborghini had its hands full in 1968, developing the Miura, building the Islero and launching the Espada - the most audacious four-place GT the world had ever seen. Another Bertone design by Marcello Gandini, it was inspired by his now-famous Marzal show car, an exercise in modernity shown the year before in Geneva. It featured glass gullwing doors, a silver leather interior and hexagon shapes aplenty, and in turn inspired the Jaguar Pirana show car, which bears striking aesthetic similarities to the Espada.
The first Espada, officially named Espada 400 GT, broke every rule. Its rakish fastback design was polarizing, with expansive glass and a space-age look that was radical then and remains so today. Performance from the 325 hp, 4.0-liter V12 engine was exemplary, and the luxurious interior carried four adults in comfort. The factory produced 176 examples of the 400 GT, now known as the Serie I, to distinguish it from later Espadas.
The Espada 400 GTE Serie II was presented at the Brussels Motor Show in 1970. Changes included an interior design that dispensed with the futuristic dash in favor of a more traditional layout, while output was increased to 350 hp. It was the most popular Espada, with 578 produced over a two-year period.
Lamborghini launched the 400 GTS Serie III at the Turin Motor Show in 1972. The most evolved Espada made 350 hp and featured more powerful brakes, a revised rear suspension, and an updated interior with a brushed aluminum, bow-shaped instrument panel. A total of 472 examples were produced through 1978, the year Italian courts took control of the financially strapped manufacturer.
With a ten-year run and 1,226 units produced, the Espada is arguably the most influential four-place automobile of its era, testament to the daring invention and uncompromising design that remains as powerful today as when it shattered conventions 50 years ago.
Lamborghini Club America, founded in 1975, is a valuable resource for owners and enthusiasts with a passion for Lamborghini cars, old and new. Headed by Andrew Romanowski since 2010, the member-supported organization is instrumental in promoting and sharing the history and inimitable automobiles from Sant'Agata. Thanks to Lamborghini Club America, a special gathering of Isleros and Espadas will make their debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week in honor of their golden anniversary.
Continuing its ongoing commitment to developing the Lamborghini Original Spare Parts inventory for classic cars, Automobili Lamborghini is gradually reproducing original manuals for historic models. Lamborghini's Polo Storico department is committed to the restoration and certification of classic Lamborghini cars out of production for at least ten years (from Lamborghini 350 GT to Diablo); the preservation of archives and records; and the provision of original Lamborghini spare parts for classic cars.
*Production numbers are taken from ‘ Lamborghini: The Collection' by Stefano Pasini. A factory authorized publication from 2003, it established a “definitive list…as officially verified and deliberated by Automobili Lamborghini.”