Everyone Needs a Lamborghini Espada Project Car
LHD Espada from the U.K. needs a loving owner.
Lamborghini’s Espada doesn’t quite get the love of other prancing bulls. Perhaps because the styling is a bit unusual, or perhaps because the engine isn’t behind the driver. But it does have a niche following for being essentially a V12 GT shooting brake.
Series II Espadas, launched in 1970 and were the most desirable, with upgraded and redesigned interior, plus more power. Horsepower output was rated at 345, which was ample for the 4.0 liter V12. Preservation of these models is rare, and there’s opportunity to bring this Espada back to life thanks to a U.K. auction listing.
Not all old cars are in the same condition, and this one falls under the category of cars that need a bit of help. Dedication will be needed for a full wiring harness replacement to help the engine be at optimal performance. The gearbox will need to be… well, connected. Classic Car Auctions gives it a score of just 58/135 based on multiple inspection points.
Thankfully, the body is still mostly there, and in good condition. Minus some trim parts, the body can be overlooked in favor of the real issues. Suspension, bearings, transmission and engine all need love, leaving running gear with the lowest scores. Those of us who enjoy spinning a wrench would find that part of restoration therapeutic.
Two different approaches could be used to revive this car. One could make an attempt to restore it to factory-original condition. On the other hand, with a sale price estimate of about $85,000 USD, a resto-mod is a viable option. All original cars demand nearly double that price, so why not take an interesting approach to this restoration? In its current condition with non-factory seats and oversize wheels and tires, one could go wild with building a “dream” Espada. Imagine an Espada built with the same ethos of a Singer-modified Porsche 911. The options are really endless in that regard. That begs the question: if this car landed in your garage would you bring it back to factory original or go wild with a unique and razor-focused ride?
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