1971 Lamborghini Espada Coupe

In the days after WWII, tooling around in a Lamborghini meant....driving a tractor...a farm tractor. There were no testosterone-fueled supercars yet, no Countachs or Diablos, no howling V12s. Just farm equipment built by Ferruccio Lamborghini, a former air force mechanic. As his young tractor business which was started with leftover military hardware prospered, Lamborghini's growing wealth allowed him to indulge his longtime fascination with fast cars. He owned many, including several Ferraris.

But Lamborghini became disenchanted with his Ferraris in general and particularly with Enzo's off-putting manner towards his complaints. Ferruccio decided he could best Ferrari at his own game, and in 1963, Lamborghini, the sports car, debuted. The longstanding Lamborghini bullfighting connection began after Ferruccio visited the Seville ranch of Don Eduardo Miura, a renowned breeder of Spanish fighting bulls. He was so impressed that he made a raging bull his emblem and named many subsequent models for bulls. In fact, Espada is Spanish for bullfighting sword.

Designed by Bertone, the Espada sold over 1,200 during its ten-year run. It's powered by a 3.9 liter V-12 with 325 horsepower and has a top speed approaching 160 MPH. This car was originally purchased in Venice, Italy and features the original Italian-spec knock-off wheels and a speedometer demarcated in kilometers.

A two-year search led to the 2009 discovery of this Lamborghini Espada. Located in a garage in San Diego, California, where it had languished for 20 years. A painstaking research of all the bits and pieces took almost as long as the equally painstaking restoration. Being careful to not over o the restoration so as it would appear to look like it was a car to be driven. When stripped down, very little damage was discovered and no rust. The lines, although not perfect, are exactly as they were when new. Cars were built to be driven and this one has been, recording over 12,000 kms since the restoration.