1973 Lamborghini Espada Series III

In the early 1970s, Bertone’s brilliant chief designer Marcello Gandini was developing a new show car for one of Italy’s wealthiest men—and its newest automaker—Ferrucio Lamborghini. Lamborghini’s intent was to create superlative grand touring cars for the world’s richest and most powerful men. Having started with the graceful 350 GT and 400 GT 2+2, he then began to focus on a successor—still powerful and agile, but more comfortable for long-distance travel.

The result was the Marzal, which debuted to critical acclaim at the Geneva auto show in March 1967. Low and sleek, and powered by a rear-mounted six, it was as revolutionary at the time as the Countach would be later. The production version—the Espada—was introduced the next year, powered by Lamborghini’s front-mounted 350-bhp dual overhead camshaft V12.

With true four-place seating in a 46.5-inch tall form, the Espada was unlike any previous GT. As Road & Track said in its July 1969...