Highlights

Full body restoration
Complete mechanical rebuild by renowned specialist Colin Clarke Engineering
Tasteful interior retrim
Substantial history file
Fabulous to drive
Surely one of the best Espadas in existence

The Appeal

In the late-1960s and early-’70s, a Lamborghini showroom was a remarkable place to be. Front-and-centre in the window you’d see the shiny new Miura, its V12 engine proudly mounted in the middle in defiance of Enzo Ferrari’s position that the public couldn’t handle such a thing. And when you pushed the showroom door open and stepped inside you’d find something even more surprising parked behind: the Espada. Lamborghini effectively hoisted the V12 out of the Miura, spun it around 90-degrees and dropped it into the front of a spacious four-seater grand tourer. The road-racer evolved into a continent-cruiser.

The Espada we have here is particularly special. It has a colossal history file, allowing us to trace every owner back to when it was ordered new in 1973. Furthermore, it’s had an enormous amount of money invested – not far off £150,000 – to present it in the condition you see today. A full body restoration at eye-watering cost is photographically documented in the file, complemented by an elegant interior retrim, and the mechanicals have been thoroughly overhauled too. All of this means that it’s exquisite to behold, and equally so to drive. Trust us, we had real trouble handing the keys back.

The History and Paperwork

V5
Extensive history file
Photographic evidence of body restoration and engine rebuild
Sheaf of MOT certificates
2026 – invoice for £2978 – starter motor, carburettor rebuild, etc
2021 – invoice for £1500 – exhaust system
2019 – invoice for £1140 – restoration of leather trim
2019 – invoice for £729 – wheel refurbishment
2016 – invoice for £25,000 – full mechanical restoration inc. rebuilding differential
2017 – invoice for £25,000 – continuation of mechanical restoration inc. rebuilding gearbox and stripping/checking engine
2017 – invoice for £5550 – body resto
2017 – invoice for £6602 – body resto
2017 – invoice for £10,890 - body resto
1992 – invoice for £3477 – full interior retrim inc. carpets, headlining, dash, seats
Sheaf of further receipts and invoices
Itemised list of all expenditure, totalling £146,983
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The Condition

Full body restoration
Tasteful interior retrim

The interior was fully retrimmed in the 1990s and it was evidently a quality job; more recently, the black leather trim has been professionally refurbished. The seats are beautifully presented as well as being comfortable and supportive, and the carpets and headlining are in good order. The dashboard in an Espada is equipped with a great many dials, and they’re all working as they should. The only deviation from period specs is a modern Pioneer CD/radio head unit with Bluetooth.

Outside, the car is simply glorious to behold. The body, which was VW Tornado Red in a previous life, has been finished in a delectable shade of light metallic blue that sparkles in the sun. The full body restoration left no stone unturned – every panel is arrow-straight with lovely even gaps, the light lenses and window glass are all good, and all of the correct badging and chrome trim is present. The wheels have recently been refurbished, and wear Michelin XWX tyres with good tread.

The Mechanics

Rebuilt gearbox and differential
Engine fully stripped and checked
Carburettors recently rebuilt

It’s a pleasingly friendly thing to drive, with a light clutch and generously assisted power steering, a comfy driving position and superlative visibility through that airy glasshouse. And with the amount of time and money that’s been invested in getting everything tip-top (all of which is backed up by the paperwork file), you know that this car’s going to be good.

To ensure that the drivetrain had a proper workout, we photographed the Espada during the late-June heatwave, when the air temperature outside was nudging 35-degrees. The Lamborghini shrugged this off with aplomb – there wasn’t so much as a hint of overheating; indeed, the needle on the temperature gauge stayed precisely where it should even in queueing traffic and extensive idling.

The gearbox is slick and precise, and the engine pulls strongly through the rev range and makes some heavenly noises. The carbs have recently been rebuilt, so it’s running very sweetly. The ride is cosseting, the brakes are firm and reassuring, everything is as it should be.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

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