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1969 Lamborghini Islero news, pictures, and information

Coupe
 
The evolution of the first Lamborghini model the 350 GT, later to become the 400 GT and 400 GT 2+2, the Islero was intended to continue the classic linage. The design was personally overseen by Mr. Lamborghini himself wîth the objective to be the 'gentleman's or business' man's car. Fully equipped wîth all the luxury amenities of the day, full leather interior, power assist windows and §teering, the same now and forever famous Lamborghini V12 was mated to state of the art 5 speed transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) In addition, in keeping wîth this luxury flair, the car also came wîth air conditioning.

As wîth all Lamborghini models following the first series, the Islero is named after a famous fighting bull. 'Islero' the bull, killed the famous matador Manuel Rodriquez in August of 1947. Although a bit overshadowed by the Miura which was introduced at the same time, the more humble of the two siblings could still stand tall wîth many luxury accouterments and performance to match anything on the road. Six Weber carburetors feed the 350 horsepower V12 engine wîth a top speed claimed to be 150 miles per hour.

This particular car is well know among Lamborghini enthusiasts having been showcased in several publications including the Consumer Guide hardbound, large format book 'Lamborghini'. Having been coveted by a close knit group of fellow cognoscenti, this Islero has been well maintained, has benefited from a recent tune and is now read for touring enjoyment.

Source - Russo & Steele
Coupe
Chassis Num: 16M48310M
 
Sold for $90,750 at 2009 RM Auctions.
Mario Marazzi was commissioned to design and build a new Lamborghini that was both fast and luxurious. It was to be a 2+2 GT car and continue the Lamborghini tradition of bearing a name related to bullfighting. It was given the name Islero, for the famous bull that killed the matador Manuel Rodriquez in 1947.

In keeping with the tradition of the 400GT 2+2, the Islero was given a square tube chassis and a similar wheelbase and inner structure. To accommodate the Campagnolo wheels, it was given a wider track. Inside, it possessed a wide range of luxurious amenities such as full leather upholstery, standard air condition, and power-assisted windows and steering.

The V12 engine was given six Weber dual-choke carburetors feeding its 320 horsepower and giving it a top speed of over 150 miles per hour. There was a five-speed manual transmission and four-wheel independent suspension. At all four wheels were hydraulically operated disc brakes.

From 1968 through 1970, a mere 225 examples were built. This example is a well known, well shown example that has been in several publications, including The Complete Book of Lamborghini by Pete Lyons and the auto editors of consumer Guide.

In 2009, this Lamborghini Islero was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. It was expected to sell for $120,000 - $160,000. The lot was sold for a high bid of $90,750, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009
Coupe
Chassis Num: 6662
 
Sold for $134,750 at 2011 RM Auctions.
The Islero was an evolution of the 350 GT, which evolved into the 400 GT and 400 GT 2+2 models. Ferruccio Lamborghini commissioned Mario Marazzi to design and built a vehicle that was fast and luxurious with 2+2 seating. In keeping with the company's tradition, the name was related to bullfighting. Islero was named after the bull that beat the matador Manuel Rodriquez in 1947.

The Islero retained the square-tube chassis, wheelbase and inner structure of the 400 GT 2+2. It was given a wider track and wider Campagnolo wheels. Inside, there was full leather upholstery and standard air conditioning plus power-assisted steering and windows. Under the bonnet of the rare 'S' model was a Lamborghini V-12 that had six Weber twin-choke carburetors and 340 available horsepower. There was a five-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes.

Only 100 examples of the 'S' variant were produced. Total production of the Islero, lasting from 1968 through 1970, totaled 225 examples.

This particular 'S' model is finished in grey over red and has traveled just 8,900 miles. It has been in the same ownership for 37 years.

In 2011, this car was offered for sale at the Monterey, CA auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $90,000-$120,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $134,750, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011
Coupe
Chassis Num: 6621
 
Sold for $110,000 at 2012 RM Auctions.
This Lamborghini Islero S joined a private collection of vintage Lamborghini's in the early 2000s after having had its original engine rebuilt. Currently, the car shows just over 57,000 kilometers on the odometer. The engine is a 3929cc V-12 engine breathing through six Weber twin-choke carburetors and offering 340 horsepower. There is a five-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes.

In 2012, this Islero S Coupe was offered for sale at RM Auction's Scottsdale, AZ event. It was estimated to sell for $115,000-$140,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $110,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2012
Coupe
Chassis Num: 6489
Engine Num: 50161
 
As a replacement for the 400 GT, Lamborghini created the Islero and Islero GTS (sometimes just 'S'), producing 125 of the former and 100 of the latter. The S had an increase of 25 horsepower over the earlier car's 325 for a 161 mph quoted top speed. All from the fabulous 3929cc, V12 engine plus 5-speed, independent suspension front and rear, and 4-wheel disc brakes. Most of the S modifications came in body shell detail, slightly flared fenders and larger hood scoop, for example. Named after a Miura bull that killed famed matador 'Manolete,' Carrozzeria Marazzi designed the body for a modified 400 GT chassis. This superb, very rare, example was found in a Belgian museum.
Coupe
Chassis Num: 6198
Engine Num: 2196
 
The Lamborghini Islero is a sports car produced by Italian automaker Lamborghini between 1968 and 1969. It was the replacement for the 400GT and featured the Lamborghini V12 engine. The car debuted at the 1968 Geneva Auto Show.

The Islero was named after a Miura bull that killed famed matador Manuel Rodriguez 'Manolete' on August 28th of 1947.

Since Carrozzeria Touring, the company that designed Lamborghini's chassis, was bankrupt, Carrozzeria Marazzi was the next logical choice as it was funded by Mario Marazzi, an old employee of Touring. The design was essentially a re-body of the 400GT, but the track was altered to allow for wider tires and while the Islero 's body suffered from a lack of proper fit between the panels, its good outward visibility, roomier interior and much improved soundproofing made it an improvement over previous models. It has 325 horsepower, a 4.0 liter, V12 engine, a 5-speed transmission, fully independent suspension and disc brakes. Its top speed was rated at 154 mph and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph took 6.4 seconds. Only 125 Isleros were built.
In 1968, the Islero was introduced to the public at the Geneva Auto Show. It featured hidden headlamps and a square body. The bodywork for the vehicle was handled by Mario Marazzi, Ferruccio Lamborghini's former Touring employee.
The Islero retained the inner structure, wheelbase, and square tube chassis of the 400 GT 2+2. Larger wheels were used and this meant the front and rear track increased in size.

It was not as aggressive as the Espada or Miura, but it did offer luxurious benefits such as air conditioning and larger interior. Only 17 Islero's were fitted with Borrani wire wheels.

The Islero was not intended for the track. However, in 1975, Paul Rilly entered a modified Islero in the grueling 24 Hours of Le-Mans. It failed to qualify.

During its production run which lasted only one year, only 125 examples were produced. An S version followed in 1969. This to was short lived, lasting only a year and only 100 being produced. Following the Islero series came the Lamborghini Jarama.

The Islero S contained mechanical and aesthetic enhances over its predecessor. With 350 horsepower available, the vehicle could go from zero-to-sixty in 6.2 seconds and had a top speed exceeding 160 miles-per-hour.

Both the interior and exterior of the Islero received updates. A glove box was replaced by a grab handle. Driver and passenger side windows received fixed triangular planes. The dash was redesigned. The rear window was now electrically heated. New seats replaced the old style. For the exterior, a engine cooling vent was placed in front of each door. The wheel-arches received flaring and an air-intake was mounted on the hood.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2007
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