One of the least-known Lamborghini models, the Islero GT is generally agreed to be the company’s hidden gem. Only 226 were built—including 100 of the powerful “S” editions—and the model was named after the legendary bull that killed Manolete, the best matador in the world. Ferruccio Lamborghini himself even drove an Islero. The Islero was a revision of the quirky 400 GT by ex-Touring designer Mario Marazzi. This conservative notchback coupe with hidden headlights was overshadowed by the glamorous Espada at the 1968 Geneva Auto Show launch of both models.
In today’s market, however, the Islero is widely considered to be more desirable. Once again carrying its original registration YLR11G, this car was driven by Sir Roger Moore in the 1970 cult thriller, “The Man Who Haunted Himself.” It was Moore’s last movie before taking over from Sean Connery for seven James Bond movies, and he considers it his best work. He played the dual role of a conservative city businessman and his doppelganger, a suave Bond-like figure, who drove this car. It was positioned as a powerful representation of the hero’s alter ego throughout the movie, including the climactic chase.
Moore was recently reunited with this Islero in Knightsbridge and autographed the sun visor, the original driver’s handbook and a special plaque. These come with the car, along with an impressive collection of documents, including the original factory invoice, a photographic record of the restoration and a letter from Valentino Balboni, the legendary Lamborghini test driver, confirming this is the actual movie car.
The factory invoice is dated March 31, 1969, and the car is shown as being RHD, metallic Azzurro blue with gray Connolly leather interior. The U.K. invoice of April 18, 1969, showed a sales price of £8,440, or $20,256, including $480 for the sprint engine and $600 for air conditioning.
The first owner was Clifford Johnson, who sold it to racing driver Paul Weldon shortly after the movie was made. Next it went to war hero Phillip Richards, who owned the car for 13 years. In 1986, Brian Power bought 6432 and had it restored by Gantspeed, regardless of cost. Power decided to mirror Lamborghini’s own personal Islero, and 6432 was repainted in silver and trimmed with burgundy leather. The next owner was a wealthy collector who stored it in a climate-controlled building for 20 years before selling it in 2007, when it was re-commissioned by Brian Classic. This is a beautifully restored, low-mileage, matching-numbers example with the additional uniqueness of being a car driven by James Bond himself, Sir Roger Moore. If life is all about the journey, why not travel in style?