Chevrolet V8 powered Series 1 Espada | Super Rare (1/176) | Miura wheels!
1970 Lamborghini Espada Series 1
- 1 of 176of the highlydesirable Series 1cars featuring an octagonal gauge cluster!
- Fuel Injected Chevrolet 5.0L/poss 5.7L V8in place of theLamborghini 3.9L V12
- Miura-style Campagnolo magnesiumwheels with 3- ear knock off spinners
- Replacement Borg Warner 5 speed, clutch & fluidsMarch 2022
- Leather interior, power windows, AC (compressor needed), VDO clock and original radio!
- Factory style polished stainless-steel mufflers
- Lowest heightproduction 4-seater at46.6"
Bertone's Marcello Gandini created the four-seat luxury Gran Turismo during the wedge design era. Considered the "four-seat Miura", the first generation (Series 1) cars represent the purest iteration of the Gandini design, featuring thehighly desirable octagonal dashwith Jaeger instrumentation, stainless steel bumpers, small indicator lights, built in fog lights, retractable antenna, early taillightsandMiura-style Campagnolo wheels.. Only 176 Series 1 cars were produced of the total 1217 Espada run, and few are known to exist. This late production S1 was sold new in Rome to the Lolli Ghetti shipping family and eventually made it to the U.S. Values plummeted in the 1980's & 1990's as many fell into disrepair, often suffering from lack of maintenance on the 6 carb V12, likely resulting in the creation seen here.
This unique car went through two significant restorations, most notable was a drive-train conversion from the3.9L V12to afuel injectedChevrolet 5.0 V8mated to aBorg Warner 5 speedduring the late 1980's. It is a performance engine built on a 5.0 block believed to be either5.4 or 5.7capacity, however exact displacement has not been verified. The power train change improved the handling, power delivery and usability.Gone is the V12's 15-20 minute warm up,it'snow fuel injected,just start up & go!Alsomissingis theCOST associatedwith maintaining an exotic V12!Front seats were reupholstered, new carpeting and a custom fuel cell were installed at this time.
Giotto Bizzarrini, theengineerof theLamborghini V12, utilized a similarChevrolet V8 & Borg Warnertransmission combination in hisnamesake Bizzarrini GTcars and inIsocars including the infamousGrifo. He soughtpower & reliability- he knew what he was doing! American power in European bodies was not unheard of, De Tomaso, Bizzarrini, Iso, Intermeccanica, AC, Jensen and others utilized this combination to great success.
Around 2010, the original Verde Pallido (light green) exterior was changed to Azzurro Metallizzato using an existing Toyota color. Factory style stainless steel mufflers were installed along with sorting of the braking system, horns and electrical system. In the Spring of 2022, there was a replacement Borg Warner 5 speed, new clutch and fluids.
The Espada was considered a top luxury GT car of the period, even costing more than the Miura! The Espada featured a leather interior for four adults, air conditioning, power windows, stainless steel bumpers, Girling disc brakes and Campagnolo magnesium alloy wheels. The air conditioning will require a compressor to be fitted to be functional (GM units are about $350). The car retains the original radio and theVDO clock still works!
The Espada stands only 46.6" high and is still considered the lowest four seat production car. It's proportions give it a commanding stance, making it look lower and wider than it is. It's slightly longer than a first generation ('67-"69) Camaro, and shares overall dimensions closely with the Ferrari F355. Gandini's design impacted American makers as well, most notably Ford's Torino & Mustang Mach 1.
How does it drive?Check out the video, but in my opinion, a touch more raw than the V12 with better low-end torque and more responsive handling. More sports than GT car. While the car is very presentable and usable in it's current state, it is also a perfect candidate for an engine change to a period Chevrolet 327 (like the Bizzarrini GT/ Iso Grifo), modern Chevrolet LS/LT unit, Lamborghini designed Dodge Viper V10, Diablo V12, Ford small or big block, or an original V12 for the purist.
ESPADA short drive
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Lamborghini Espada S1 walk around
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- Condition: Used
- Make: Lamborghini
- Model: Espada
- Type: Coupe
- Trim: Series 1
- Year: 1970
- Mileage: 45475
- VIN: LAM740470
- Color: Blue
- Engine size: Fuel Injected 5.0 V8
- Number of cylinders: 8
- Power options: Power Windows
- Fuel: Gasoline
- Transmission: Manual
- Drive type: RWD
- Interior color: Black
- Options: Leather Seats
- Vehicle Title: Clean Want to buy? Contact seller!
