1970 Lamborghini Espada SII

After first the Miura, then the Marzal, Lamborghini once again stole the Geneva show in 1968 with the Espada, styled by Marcello Gandini, the genius who heads Bertone’s design studio.

Despite its incredible styling the car was comparatively conventional, incorporating a pressed steel semi-monocoque built by Marchesi in Modena, into the front of which was placed the 4-liter quad-camshaft V12 engine from the 400GT, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. 320 horsepower was sufficient to propel the car’s four occupants to over 150 mph, while they lounged in sumptuous leather upholstery, cooled by the standard air conditioning. The Espada was the fastest full four-seater in the world, and even thirty years later few cars come close to matching its towering abilities. Weight distribution was 52/48 front to rear, allowing neutral and safe handling.

The fully independent suspension incorporated unequal length wishbones front and rear and coil over dampers. Steering was by worm and peg, manufactured by ZF, while brakes were dual circuit servo-assisted discs.

Clearly the Espada was far more advanced than its opposition and the final...