1969 Lamborghini 400 GT Espada Series 1
Lamborghini Espada
Lamborghini Espada•
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€184,760 | Sold
- German registration papers
- Chassis no. 7458
- Rare Series 1, originally delivered in Italy
- Complete history and exceptional documentation
- Equipped with its original engine
- Elegant original Oro Metallizzato paintwork
- No reserve
Building on the success of the Miura, Lamborghini took on a new challenge: producing a four-seat “supercar” combining space and sportiness. The first sign of this ambition appeared at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show in the form of the Marzal, designed by Marcello Gandini, a young designer at Bertone. At the 1968 Geneva Motor Show, the Espada was unveiled as the culmination of this project, designed by the same coachbuilder. Its performance was impressive, thanks to the formidable 3.9-litre V12 it shared with the Miura.
As confirmed by the factory documents, this Series 1 was delivered new by Lambocar, the Milan dealer, on October 8, 1969, in an exceptional and rare colour: Oro Metallizzato with a black leather interior. A year later, it was sent to California and registered on February 11, 1971, in the name of Mr Perla, based in Los Angeles, with the California license plate “Perla 1”! He cherished his Espada for 38 years. Before it was sold in Germany in 2009, the engine and gearbox were rebuilt by marque specialist Claudio Zampoli.
When the car arrived in Germany in early 2010, it joined the collection of a marque enthusiast we know well (we had sold him his Miura SV in 2017). It was repainted in its original colour. A photograph taken before the work shows that it had never lost its original hue. In 2015, our Espada was acquired by its current owner, who sent it to Mugello Engineering, the Dutch specialist in Italian cars. It underwent a thorough overhaul there (the invoices are included in the file). Its mileage is just over 61,000 km, which undoubtedly reflects the distance it has covered since leaving the factory.
With its exceptionally rare colour, its condition, its nearly 40-year ownership by the same person, and the substantial documentation accompanying it, this Series 1 Espada is an opportunity to acquire one of the most beautiful four-seat cars in history.
The first sign of this ambition appeared at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show with the Marzal, the work of Marcello Gandini, a recent recruit at Bertone. At the 1968 Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini unveiled the Espada, designed by the same stylist. The car offered very impressive performance, thanks to the extraordinary 3.9-litre V12 it shared with the Miura. As confirmed by the factory documents, this Series 1 was delivered new by Lambocar, the Milan dealer, on October 8, 1969, in an exceptional and rare colour: Oro Metallizzato with a black leather interior.
A year later, it was sent to California and registered on February 11, 1971, in the name of Mr Perla, based in Los Angeles, with the California license plate “Perla 1”! He kept his Espada for 38 years. Before it was sold in Germany in 2009, the engine and gearbox were overhauled by marque specialist Claudio Zampoli. When the car arrived in Germany in early 2010, it joined the collection of a marque enthusiast we know well (we had sold him his Miura SV in 2017). It was repainted in its original colour. A photograph taken before the work shows that it had never lost its original hue.
In 2015, this Espada was acquired by its current owner, who sent it to Mugello Engineering, the Dutch specialist in Italian cars. It was thoroughly serviced there (the invoices are included in the file). Its mileage is just over 61,000 km, which undoubtedly reflects the distance it has covered since leaving the factory. With its exceptionally rare colour, its condition, its nearly 40-year ownership by the same person, and the substantial documentation accompanying it, this Series 1 Espada is an opportunity to acquire one of the most beautiful cars of all time.
Cost
760,199 AED
