1968 Lamborghini Espada 400

The Lamborghini Espada 400 was a four-seat GT made f0r 10 years starting in 1968. It sold alongside the amazing Lamborghini Miura. The Espada 400 car was designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone. The original design of the dashboard was inspired by the Marzal concept car.

It used a monocoque steel body with suspension was fully independent (it even had double wishbones, coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bars which was amazing in the day). Powered by a V12 engine with six Weber side-draft carburetors and 24 valves commanded by two chain-driven overhead camshafts per bank, it was way ahead of its day. The gearbox was mounted in block with the engine.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
price $	$21 000 usd
engine	V12
valvetrain	DOHC 2 Valves / Cyl
displacement	3939 cc / 240.4 in³
bore	82 mm / 3.23 in
stroke	62 mm / 2.44 in
compression	9.5:1
power	242.4 kw / 325.1 bhp @ 6500 rpm
specific output	82.53 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	bhp per tonne
torque	375 nm / 276.6 ft lbs @ 6500 rpm
body / frame	Unit Steel w/Aluminium Hood
driven wheels	Front Engine / RWD
front tires	205VR-15
rear tires	205VR-15
front brakes	Vented Discs w/Vacuum Assist
f brake size	x 300 mm / x 11.8 in
r brake size	x 280 mm / x 11.0 in
front wheels	F 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15.0 x 7.0 in
rear wheels	R 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15.0 x 7.0 in
steering	ZF Worm & Roller
curb weight	1480 kg / 3263 lbs
wheelbase	2650 mm / 104.3 in
front track	1490 mm / 58.7 in
rear track	1490 mm / 58.7 in
length	4738 mm / 186.5 in
width	1860 mm / 73.2 in
height	1185 mm / 46.7 in
transmission	5-Speed Manual
gear ratios	2.520:1, 1.735:1, 1.225:1, 1.000:1, 0.815:1, :1
final drive	4.09:1
top speed	~244.6 kph / 152.0 mph

Auction Sales History

1973 Lamborghini Espada Series III – sold for $99,000 One of Just 456 Series III Espadas Built. Groundbreaking Marcello Gandini Bertone Design. Ofered with Important Original Documentation. Early Series III Car with Thin Chrome Bumpers. Series III Features Including Air-Conditioning and Power Steering.
Auction Source: The 2015 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company

1973 Lamborghini Espada 400 GT Série III 9110 – sold for €178,640

The first owner of this car was none other than Olivier Degara Jullian, a famous nightclub owner. He bought the car new from the importer in France and registered it in Andorra only on 9 November 1993. In 2010, he decided to redo all the mechanicals at P3 Automobiles, very good professionals in Cannes, before selling it to our Lamborghini collector. Engine, gearbox and rear axle were dismantled and rebuilt; air conditioning and brakes were overhauled. The car was repainted, but its splendid original black leather interior was kept as it was in a satisfactory condition. Only the carpets in the interior are new, as well as all the gaskets. When the car left P3 Automobiles in 2013 the counter showed 70,921 km and it now shows 74,321 km.

Auction Source: Rétromobile 2015 by Artcurial Motorcars

1973 Lamborghini Espada 400 GT Series III 9448 – sold for $110,000 Lamborghini’s iconic 1970s grand tourer. One of only 483 Series III models produced. A genuine four-passenger supercar.
Auction Source: Arizona 2015 by RM Auctions

1972 Lamborghini Espada 8794 – sold for $115,500 Formerly of the Bob Pond Collection. One of 575 Series II Espadas produced. Lamborghini’s iconic 1970s four-seater grand tourer.
Auction Source: 2014 Monterey by RM Auctions

1968 Lamborghini Espada 400 GT Series 1 7293 – sold for $214,500 One of Only 186 Series 1 Espadas Built. Groundbreaking Bertone Design. Originally Delivered with Distinctive Plexiglas Roof and Metallic Blue Paint. Driven by Prince Rainier and Princess Grace at the 1969 Monaco Grand Prix Displayed at Numerous Auto and Trade Shows Throughout the US.
Auction Source: Gooding & Company’s 10th Anniversary 2013 Pebble Beach Auction

1970 Lamborghini Espada X750X0344X – sold for €55,200 This matching-numbers example was sold new in Milan, Italy and was next owned by Dr David Waltos of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. In February 2004 the car passed to the third owner, Konstantinos Andrikopoulos of Boston Massachusetts, who kept it until 2009. The current (fourth) owner purchased the Espada that same year from DigitMotorSport in the USA and brought it to France.
Auction Source: 2013 Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais

1969 Lamborghini Espada S1 7090 – sold for €45,190 In metallic grey, this car on offer was first registered on January 8, 1969 by its first owner, an avid Lamborghini fan living in the Hauts-de-Seine region of France. 300 km/h for four! Typically 1970s. Car has spent its life in France. One of just 186 Series 1 cars. No reserve.
Auction Source: Artcurial Motorcars à 2013 Rétromobile

1973 Lamborghini Espada Coupe 8852 – sold for $55,000 This 1973 Espada has travelled only about 34,000 miles, and one of its owners retained the car for a remarkable 26 years. As presented, it remains in nice condition throughout with an attractive color combination and benefits from a fresh service. Rare as one of only 1,225 Espadas produced in total, it offers Miura-level performance with seating for up to four and represents excellent value in today’s collector-car market.
Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM

1973 Lamborghini 400 GT Espada 9022 – sold for €71,943 The car being exhibited was first registered on 17 April 1973. It was bought by Mr Doucet in its original condition and has been part of his collection ever since. It still has its original paintwork and its leather interior is in good condition, which reflects its low mileage. Like the Hispano K6, it shared the happy events in the lives of this great collecting family. French vehicle registration documents.
Auction Source: 2011 Salon Rétromobile Aucion by Artcurial

1974 Lamborghini Espada Series III 9274 – sold for €46,000 First registered on 30th June 1974, chassis number ‘9274’ is a very nice example of the final (Series III) Espada, 456 of which were made. The car has covered only 31,491 kilometres from new and is described as very original, in good overall condition and nice to drive, its engine possessing good compression. EU taxes have been paid and the car is currently registered in Switzerland.
Auction Source: 2011 Automobiles d’exception au Grand Palais by Bonhams

1975 Lamborghini Espada Series III Coupé – sold for €31,050

Chassis number ‘9398’ is offered fresh from six years of ‘rolling restoration’ by the secretary of the Lamborghini Owners Club. We are advised that work carried out included a full body rebuild and bare metal repaint; overhauling the suspension, braking and electrical systems; an engine top-end rebuild; and a new radiator. In addition, the interior has been fully refurbished with new Wilton carpets and the dashboard re-covered in Alcantara. There are new Pirelli tyres all round. Presented in commensurately good condition, this rare Italian Gran Turismo is offered with all restoration invoices and photographs, current road fund licence, MoT to June 2011 and Swansea V5.

Auction Source: 2010 Collectors’ Motor Cars at Goodwood Revival by Bonhams