This 1972 Lamborghini Espada Is a Dream GT, Doesn't Look Like It's 50 Years Old

The "espada" is the sword that the torero uses to kill the bull. And the Lamborghini Espada pretty much resembled the sharp shape of the "espada." It was designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, with inspiration rooted in two of his show cars from 1967: the Lamborghini Marzal and the Bertone Piranha concept cars.

The model made use of a semi-monocoque unibody, constructed of pressed sheet steel and square section steel tubing. Meanwhile, the carmaker used aluminum for the hood in an attempt to keep weight under control.

Lamborghini kept the Espada production running from 1968 through 1978. An entire decade in which 1,227 models rolled off the assembly line through three different series, with the first of them revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 1968.

The Espada Series II made debut in 1970 at the Brussels Motor Show, with not so many changes on the outside. The grille covering the vertical glass tail panel vanished. But the cabin received a brand-new dashboard, center console, and steering wheel inside the cabin. The instrument panel sported a rectangular shape with round gauges.

Lamborghini came up with a wood-trimmed fascia that extended along the entire width of the dashboard. Better rear seat ventilation and a redesigned center armrest were also on the menu.

One thing kept its ground, though, and it was the engine, the 3.9-liter Miura-derived V12 linked to either a five-speed manual or a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic, which steered resources to the rear wheels. But the power plant got a power boost, going as far as 350 horsepower (355 PS), up from 325 horsepower, due to a higher compression ratio. The output eventually remained for the Series III as well.

Everything seems to be in place under that elongated hood. The owner shares photographs of the engine rebuild and says that the car runs and drives with no issues whatsoever. "Impeccably" is actually the word that the listing uses.

The 15-inch wheels were shod in Pirelli Cinturato CN72 tires, while Lamborghini upgraded the brakes. The Espada’s braking system included three-piston calipers, with larger units mounted at the front.

575 Espada Series II examples were built. And we have one of those right here. One that should run and drive as good as new, as the owner invested no less than 47,775 euros, the equivalent of $51,046, on mechanicals, bodywork, and electrical system. The 1972 model we’ve got here sports the coveted five-speed manual with the hydraulically operated clutch. So, it definitely is a driver’s car.

The bathing numbers example, chassis number 8558, this Espada rolled off the production line in 1972 and was registered the following year.

Since then, the car had six owners and “lived” in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Slovakia. The Espada was painted in Luci Di Bosco (brown) when it drove through the factory gate at Sant’Agata Bolognese. In 1985, it became Blue Notte (blue), which is still an original Lamborghini color.

There is cream leather upholstery inside, with very little wear and no prominent creasing, sagging, or cracking. There is not much discoloration or staining on the carpeting either, while the headliner seems to be in good order.

According to the listing, the dashboard only displays a few scratches every here and there, but nothing to write home about. Some slight patination showed up on the switchgear, though. One of the six owners equipped the Espada with a modern stereo, which is specifically designed to follow the looks of the period counterparts.

There is seating for four, plus decent space and luggage capacity, outperforming other GTs of the era.

It is currently registered in Slovakia with a historic plate, and the odometer shows 38,992 kilometers (24,229 miles). The seller has shared detailed photographic record of the recent work performed on the car, which also included the areas that are usually mostly affected by rust. New steel was used for much of the sills, inner wing, and floor plan section to make sure that rust won’t eat the car out.

Angular, sporting robust proportions, plenty of glass surfaces and a very low stance, the Lamborghini Espada is one head-turner.

Back in 1999, Lamborghini played a bit of a hide-and-seek with the Espada. Speculations about the model being revived started circulating. But the Italians were focusing financial and personnel resources on a Diablo successor. So the Espada did not go further than some drawings.

So this is one unique chance for collectors or enthusiasts to get their hands on one historic car. This half-a-century old Espied is far from showing its age. With all the servicing, rebuilding, and replacements, it doesn't come as a surprise. The 1972 model is being auctioned off by Car & Classic. Bidding has just hit 117,999.