1970 Lamborghini Espada: An Italian Gran Torino?

One thing that's clear about the Lamborghini Espada, Like Car and Driver Technical Editor Aaron Robinson says in this video, it's not the Lamborghini you think of when you think of Lamborghini. It's kind of a weird middle child between the Miura and the Countach, and as Robinson also points out, keeping one on the road presents all the normal nightmares associated with a vintage 12-pot Italian GT—with the added benefit that it could be mistaken for a Gran Torino.

But more humble Blue Oval comparisons aside, it's clear Robinson loves his car. And along with touching on the well-known story of Lamborghini's origins—fight with Enzo, etc—this video highlights some interesting facts about this oddball GT. All the engineers who were on the Espada project, for example, were in their 20s. And its twin 12-gallon tanks run in series, not parallel, which means the first one has to empty before tapping the gas in the other. Watching him stretch the gas nozzle across the back of the car to fill each one made me remember fueling up my old XJ6, and that kind of wacky design is exactly the kind of thing which gives these old cars character. Of course, the exhaust note doesn't hurt either...

1970 Lamborghini Espada Series II - CAR and DRIVER - YouTube!

[via Car and Driver]

 

Ive driven one. Great car -- but likes to catch fire.

 

Ha ha! So you're saying it's a proper Lambo?

 

Wow....ever seen one before. Interesting

 

That car sure is the italian version of the AMC Pacer