Hello,
I'm a relatively new member to this forum. I have always had a strong interest in the Espada and have surfed around here a few months. This is my first post and I ask for your personal experiences "living with" an Espada - the good, the bad, the fun, the sad, whatever you choose to share.

Northeastern US is my home and my "automotive history" is I've enjoyed owning Alfa Romeo's (all with the Spica injection), plus a series of American muscle cars and one Jaguar over the last 30 years. I also owned and piloted a classic aircraft, but that's for another forum . Right now I own a '67 Plymouth Satellite convertible and a '65 Satellite on which I'm just finishing a restoration. My US model '76 Alfetta GT was just sold and I have the space and resources to accommodate an Espada. Cars stay with me for many years, I don't buy or sell them lightly (OK, except the Jaguar). I enjoy working on my own cars but I also rely on a local mechanic who works on a range of Italians and Germans. My cars all get driven an average about 2,000miles each per year, so an Espada won't sit for long between outings.

I have found a '71 Series II that appears suitable. 40,000miles, with Miura knock-offs, not flawless but no apparent serious problems. Not at all a restoration project. It has what I would call an average patina - the engine bay and carbs are a bit dirty, a dash switch is out of it's socket, the wood dash has mild fading, the upholstery is all intact but has some "elegant wear". The seller is a broker and said it was sitting "a while". It idled a bit rough so he is having a reputable mechanic give it a once-over. So far they've re-tuned the carbs, installed new plugs, checked distributor and plug wires. Apparently it runs well, but they're not done yet. The plan is to fly out to look at it in a few weeks. It is reported to have had an engine rebuild less than 1,000miles ago, but it comes with no service records, which is something I don't like. I'll ask to contact the previous owner, and see how that goes.

Thanks for reading my post. Any advice, caution or encouragement is welcome. I look forward to seeking input on this forum going forward.

Cheers,
-Art

Hi, ... and I apologize if my post is redundant to DavidTeache's from last year.

The Espada is a great car, and a true 4 seat comfortable GT. I have had very few issue with my Espada S2 since I have owned it. I am also keen to work on the car when ever I can, you save lots of money doing the servicing yourself. The cars are very unusual looking and most people won't know what the car, they look much better in real life rather than photos. On the down side parts can be expensive, but there are plenty of cheap parts on the servicing side, would be advisable to buy the best car you can so you don't have to deal with the issues. I can't wait to get mine out whenever I can which unfortunately is only about one a month but always look forward to the driving experience, there nothing like the sound of the V12 and 6 webers when you open up the throttle.
Best of luck with the purchase.

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Espada S2 7782
Jalpa ELA12175

Thanks for the reply Michael,
I've been an enthusiast of Espada's for many years - decades - and have amassed a good library of literature, manuals and such. The threads you have posted here are consistently interesting and prove the points you make. The videos are enjoyable too.

Expensive parts is something I can deal with. I was told that it can be difficult to access some areas of an Espada for maintenance and I am sure this forum will be helpful in that respect. One thing that will also help tremendously is the sheer delight and love for such a car. As with my others, having a commitment to and passion for the car helps overcome most obstacles. Finally yes, I will spend what it takes to get a well-sorted example, whether it's the one I've located, or another. I am done with project cars.

One question - What is the availability of the various rubber parts - suspension bushings, rear U-joint 'donut'? These tend to dry out and crack around this age....

Best, -Art

Art,
The donut on my car is still going Ok and I have not looked to source one as of yet, I have asked this question somewhere on the forum and people have talked about replaceing the donut with a universal joint instead. I am also thinking this would be the best way to go when the time comes. Up to now I have had a lot of luck sourcing things off of ebay at reasonable prices (water pump, angle drive and steering linkages). Lambostuff.com has a lot of the bushes available, and if not just head down to your local suspension place with the old bushes and ask them to match them up with something they have in stock. I also had some of my bushes where the rubber had deteriated, redone with nylothane, that also seemed to work well.
Good luck on your search
Mike

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Espada S2 7782
Jalpa ELA12175

Thanks as usual, Michael.
I'll have a look at the rubber when I have a look at the '71 S2 I found. Does anyone know of a white with burgundy interior Espada that resided in the Orlando, FL area since the mid-eighties?

Hello all,
Despite my investment in time and effort researching the right car for my situation, and deciding that an Espada would be my next classic Italian car, events have conspired to divert my attention from buying one for the next several years.

Through an acquaintance who heard I was in the market, I was offered a deal on a Maserati Bora which was just impossible to pass up. This offer converges all too well with the very strong and supportive little community of Maserati owners in my local area, plus an expert Citroen/Maserati mechanic who performs magic with the feared hydraulic systems. Luckily the Bora was only lightly affected by this French black magic.

I will do my best to enjoy the Bora without regret and hope to return here in the not-too-distant-future asking for input on an Espada purchase.

Thanks for your input and best wishes to you all,
-Art

What do you know about the white/burgundy Espada #8236? The car is an early S2 with the Miura wheels, but the tail lights may have been changed from the pentagon to rectangle shape, which is the later S2 version. The Lamborghini script on the tail is in the wrong place.The last owner is John Hall in Orlando. By the way, the new leather seats looks great but not 100% correct due to lack of perforations.

i am a lambo guy but you did it right buyng the bora!!!

GREAT car and awesome design!

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LP400S countach
...and a modern one

Tom, you have a PM.

Emilio - THANKS and yes, I love the Bora - the poor thing was off the road for 22 years, and now I've put 300 miles/500km on it in a month.... Simply fabulous!

This isn't a Maserati site, but I uploaded video of a short drive here: