www.QV500.com - Lamborghini Espada Part 1: Espada Series I
 
The Espada was Lamborghini's second of three key models launched inside a decade that cemented the firms reputation as manufacturer of the worlds most exotic motorcars. Introduced during 1968, in between the sultry Miura and incredible Countach, the Espada's importance should never be underestimated as it was a vehicle that conceptually and style-wise truly defined its era. Named after a Spanish Matador's sword, this extravagant four-seater was clearly influenced by a couple of Bertone show cars that had made their salon debut's in 1967.
   
First came the Marzal at Geneva in March. This car was built around Lamborghini componentry while the second, the Pirana, was a styling exercise carried out on a Jaguar XKE 2+2 and shown during October's London Motor Show. Both were visual forerunners of what became a revolutionary concept at the time, a genuine four seat supercar. Constructed over ten years and in three series between 1968 and 1978, the Espada was one of Lamborghini’s most commercially successful vehicles with 1217 examples having been completed by the time production ended in the late 1970’s. The chassis was in many ways similar to those used first on the 350 and 400 GT's. However, a stretched wheelbase of 2650mm (up by 100mm) was necessary to accommodate four adult occupants in comfort. Other revisions included widened front and rear track to increase space for an interior that would inevitably be limited by a huge transmission tunnel. Engines were re-positioned further forward and this enhanced the cabins amazingly roomy feel. They were the by now well-proven Bizzarrini-designed 60° V12's, probably the finest high performance production units coming out of Italy at the time.
 
Displacement was 3929cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 82 x 62mm, the Bizzarrini-designed V12 producing 325bhp at 6500rpm. A compression ratio of 9.5:1 and six twin-choke Weber 40 DCOE 20-31 sidedraught carbs were used, but even though this motor incorporated many of the period upgrades made to Miura's, output was slightly down because of the larger air-conditioning units and power brake requirements of this luxury GT. However, despite its size and 1625kg weight, Lamborghini’s zany new model instantly became the fastest full four seater on the planet.
   
Boasting a 155mph top speed, 0-60 took just 6.4 seconds, a considerable improvement on the barge-like Ferrari 365 GT and practically any other 2+2 emerging from Maranello in the late sixties. Bertone masterfully took the best elements from the Marzal and Pirana show cars and created a clean, simple but incredibly outlandish design. More restrained than Marzal while importantly keeping that cars distinctive silhouette, the Espada was also much more elegant than the Pirana XKE. A family lineage between all three was abundantly clear, but it's fair to say that the Espada was the best balanced and most professionally executed of them all. One of the defining automotive designs of its era and among an elite rank of massively influential Lamborghini's, the Espada’s combination of quirky features and sheer individuality have been surpassed by few vehicles – to this day it is one of the most impressive sights to behold. Exuding spaciousness and luxury although never over-opulence, it was possible to specify almost any interior option you possibly could have wanted, custom leather and carpets, glass roofs, TV systems and even mini-bars having been ordered by some wealthy clients.
 
The interior was clearly Marzal-derived and showcased Bertone's love of hexagons. Particularly evident on the dashboard where off-beat styling met a traditional steering wheel and switchgear, eccentric details could be found throughout Bertone’s design. Debuted at the Geneva Salon during March 1968 (a year after the Marzal), production began shortly afterwards and by the end of the year, 37 had been completed. Running changes to the Series I were minimal, the most important having been 2cm extra rear headroom thanks to a minor floorpan alteration.