Lamborghini 400GT Islero 2+2 Coupe, 1968
Lamborghini Islero
Lamborghini Islero•
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Chassis No.: 6318
Engine No.: 2457
Estimate: US$190,000 - US$250,000 USD
- 3,939cc DOHC V12
- 6 Weber Carburetors
- 325bhp at 7,000rpm
- 5-Speed Manual Transaxle
- 4-Wheel Independent Suspension
- 4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- The 104th of only 125 Islero 400GTs built
- Finished in its original colors scheme of Argento over Tobacco leather
- Early European history
- Retained in the US by American enthusiasts for four decades
- Excellent candidate for the finest Concours and touring events
- Delivered new via Auto Elite of Milan
- Renowned performance and comfort
As with the 400GT, housed beneath an impressively low-slung bonnet was the sonorous 4.0-liter V12, designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and finessed by Giampaolo Dallara. This four-cam engine sported six side-draft Weber carbs and could spin up to 7,000 rpm, punching out 325 horsepower, and driving a five-speed manual transmission. Suspension was fully independent, with unequal-length A-arms and coil springs at all four corners and Girling disc brakes clamped all four wheels. Contemporary reviews reported excellent handling and grip, and the Islero offered virtually all the performance of a Miura in a far more civilized package.
Testing of
magazine's Islero achieved a true 157mph back in 1969, proving to be as quiet and stable at its maximum as it was at 130mph. It was also startlingly quick off the mark, hitting 60mph in just 5.9 seconds and hurtling to 100mph in only 13.7 seconds, outstanding figures even today. Despite an impeccable pedigree, the Islero, 125 of which were built in the first series (followed by another 100 GTS models), is today one of the most overlooked of Lamborghini's early front-engined cars. The first Islero was completed by the factory March 6, 1968 and all the rest of the first series were finished by Christmas, with the GTS models running through June of 1969.
THE CAR OFFERED
Finished just prior to the introduction of the Islero S, s/n 6318 is the 104th of 125 Isleros produced. The sleek bodywork was delivered to Lamborghini from Marazzi on October 10th, 1968 and the finished coupe, trimmed in the Argento silver over tobacco leather interior colors scheme it wears today, rolled off the line just over a month later on November 11th. From Sant'Agata the Islero was shipped to nearby Milan for concessionaire Auto Elite, arriving on January 28th of '69 and sold shortly thereafter to its first owner in the ritzy Como region. Registered under the plate "CO 288540", 6318 would remain in the country of its birth for another six years before being sold to the United Kingdom in 1975.
Upon entering the UK in July of '75, 6318 was given the registration "JYP 16N". Retained first by John Henry Lewis, it was sold to John Theodore Barnes on August 1st, 1980. Barnes would keep the car for nearly four years. It was during his ownership, in 1982, that 6318 was sent to Russell Grove Garage in Bristol for a major overhaul that included a rebuild of the drivetrain and a respray of the car to classic Rosso Corsa. In April of '84 the car was acquired by John Yearsley of Delaware and shipped to the United States. Mr. Yearsley, a true Islero enthusiast who would own both the car here and s/n 6129, kept 6318 for 16 years before selling it on to its next owner in 2000.
About a decade later, 6318—now a resident of the West Coast—was given a substantial mechanical and cosmetic overhaul. From 2011 to 2012, extensive restorative work was completed including a rebuild of the carburetors, water pump, and cylinder heads with new valves and guides fitted.
From there an additional work was completed including service to the brakes with new brake master cylinder and servos, new pads, and rebuilt calipers; service to the clutch including new master and slave cylinders; a comprehensive rebuild of the suspension with rebuilt Koni shocks, new ball joints and bushings all around, and powder coated A-arms and springs; a rebuilt pedal cluster and new shifter bushings; a re-cored radiator and a serviced ignition system. All that, along with a repaint back to the original Argento silver that was performed sometime prior to 2011 helped carry the coupe to a 3rd in Class finish at the 2012 Concorso Italiano.
Acquired by the penultimate owner in 2017, in 2018 power steering was fitted to the car with receipts on file showing the work completed. The current owner bought the car in January of 2021 is reported by the seller to be mechanically well sorted and a pleasure to drive. The paint on the car shows well but it is evident that it has aged to a point where it may be driven and enjoyed without worry. The interior appears to be original but well preserved.
Rarely seen but highly coveted, an Islero like this one is an opportunity not to be missed!
