ESPADA
The Lamborghini Espada was based on two Bertone show cars: the Marzal and the Pirana, the first was based on a lengthened Miura chassis with a V6 (One row of the famous V12) and the Pirana on a Jaguar E-type chassis. The design of the Marzal was to radical for Lamborghini, and a Lambo must have a V 12 and not a 6 cilinder. But the basic idea of both cars was Feruccio Lamborghini's ideal car. So, Lamborghini and Marcello Gandini from Bertone started working on the Espada, No mid-engined V6, but the "standard" V12 in the front, the first prototype had wing-doors but later they decided to put normal doors in the car. The car looked very long, but it wasn't: 474 cm, the size of a normal car like the Ford Mustang, but it was so low (118 cm.) and wide (186 cm.). Although some say the Espada was made of aluminium: they are not, the car is made of steel and only the bonnet is aluminium. We now know the original Espada as Serie I, from 1970 on the Serie II was produced (official 400 GTE Espada), it had an improved dashboard, vented discs all around, and a 350 Hp. (serie I 325 Hp.) engine. On the Serie II power assisted steering was an optional accessories. In 1973 the Serie III was introduced, it had a slightly different nose, p.a.s. and airco were standard and the brakes and suspension were improved. The dashboard was renewed again and an automatic gearbox was optional ( this was a Chrysler Torqueflight which was a shame, it switched at 4800 Rpm, while maximum torque comes in at 5500 and the engine is willing to rev until 7500 Rpm.) For years the Espada was the fastest saloon-car in the world, it's top speed is over 250 Km/h.

What the press said:
Malcolm McKay, Classic Cars & Thoroughbread, 5-'95:
"Well, I have to say it, driving the Espada is the next best thing to sex. The exhilaration, the excitement....there is no better comparison."
Mark-Anthony Conti, Classic Cars & Thoroughbread, 5-'95:
"I found nothing in the car to disappoint me. It's more of a sports car than I expected, and is a grand tourer par excellence. One day I will buy one."

LAMBORGHINI ESPADA

Serie I Serie II Serie III
Production no. 1217 total


Production years I-'68-'70 - II-'70-'72 - III-'72-'78
Driven wheels --rear -- -rear --- -rear
Place engine front front front
No. seats 4 4 4
Engine type V12 4 OHC V12 4 OHC V12 4 OHC
Engine size (cc) 3929 3929 3929
Max. power (Hp/Rpm) 315 / 7000 325 / 7500 345 / 7800
Max. torque (Nm/Rpm) ? ? 379 / 5500

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