1968 Lamborghini Islero Coupe

The Islero was the replacement for the 400 GT and featured the V12 engine. The car made its debut at the 1968 Geneva Auto Show and was named after a Miura bull that killed famed matador Manual Rodriguez.

This design is a re-body of the 400 GT, but modified to allow for wider tires and a roomier interior. A much improved independent suspension and disc brakes were employed.

The engine produced 325 brake horsepower and was interfaced with a five-speed transmission. Acceleration to 60 mph was 6.4 seconds and the top speed was rated at 154 mph.

Mr. Edward Scott of Sun Valley, Idaho, visited Italy in early 1970. He inquired about potentially purchasing a works demonstrator car at the Lamborghini factory in Sat'Agata Bolognese. What he learned was that a 1968 Islero, with just 4,000 km on the odometer, could be his. It had been the personal transport of Ferruccio Lamborghini.

Scott bought the Islero and had it shipped to the United States in May of 1970. Scott later sold to the car to Tim Bushnell of California through Claudio Zampolli in 1979. Four years later, it was sold to Kenneth Jones of Houston, Texas, who retained the car for a year before selling it to Jim Simpson of Spring, Texas. Simpson carried out a restoration of the Islero in 1989, during which time the color was changed to silver and the interior re-trimmed in red leather. In 1998, ownership was transferred to Simpson's business partner Vince Whitehead, who sold it in the early 2000s to Paul von Heeder of Houston, Texas. The current owner purchased the Lamborghini in early 2009.

The car was given a recent restoration and finished in Celeste Azzurro paint and bright trim. Inside the car features a unique quilted trim pattern on the seats, central tunnel, and door panels. There are tan leather surfaces. Under the hood is the legendary four-cam V-12 with its six2 dual-barrel carburetors capped with red wrinkle-finished cam covers.

Only 125 Isleros were ever built.