The Lamborghini Espada is a grand tourer which was built by Italian car manufacturer Lamborghini between 1968 and 1978.
Based on the Marzal show car, displayed at the 1967 Geneva Auto Show. 1217 cars were made, making it the most successful Lamborghini model at the time.
The car was designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone. The name "Espada" means "sword" in Portuguese and Castilian, referring to the sword that bullfighters use to kill the bulls.
The Espada was originally fitted with a 4.0 L 325 bhp (242 kW) V12 engine, fully independent suspension and four wheel disc brakes. Most transmissions were manual, and the Espada also introduced one of the first automatic transmissions able to absorb the torque of a large sporting V12. It had unusual gearing, with 3 ratios: drive, 1 and reverse.
During its 10 year production three different series were produced. These were the S1 (1968–1970), the S2 (1970–1972) and the S3 (1972–1978). Each model featured engine power improvements. An all new dashboard and steering wheel was installed for the S2, and the interior was again revamped for the S3.
In 1999, a new version of the Espada was rumored to be in the works, but it was right at the time Lamborghini wanted to concentrate on a Diablo successor, so little became of the idea aside from a few drawings.
Based on the Marzal show car, displayed at the 1967 Geneva Auto Show. 1217 cars were made, making it the most successful Lamborghini model at the time.
The car was designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone. The name "Espada" means "sword" in Portuguese and Castilian, referring to the sword that bullfighters use to kill the bulls.
The Espada was originally fitted with a 4.0 L 325 bhp (242 kW) V12 engine, fully independent suspension and four wheel disc brakes. Most transmissions were manual, and the Espada also introduced one of the first automatic transmissions able to absorb the torque of a large sporting V12. It had unusual gearing, with 3 ratios: drive, 1 and reverse.
During its 10 year production three different series were produced. These were the S1 (1968–1970), the S2 (1970–1972) and the S3 (1972–1978). Each model featured engine power improvements. An all new dashboard and steering wheel was installed for the S2, and the interior was again revamped for the S3.
In 1999, a new version of the Espada was rumored to be in the works, but it was right at the time Lamborghini wanted to concentrate on a Diablo successor, so little became of the idea aside from a few drawings.
Lamborghini Espada - AUTOart - 1/18