1974 Lamborghini Espada 400 GT Coupe

The Lamborghini Espada makes a distinctive impression the first time you see it. Based on the Marzal show car from 1966, the Espada's four seat grand touring car arrangement necessitates the unusual proportions.

Marcello Ganclini designed the Espada, and retained the basic shape of the Marzal although many of its unusual features were not included, such as the all-glass gullwing doors and honeycomb dash.

The powertrain was a 4 liter V12 engine mounted in the front and now produced 350bhp for this 1974 model. This was mated to a 5 -speed gearbox and although intended to be a GT car, automatic transmissions did not appear until later in 1974. Although it shared the same engine as the Islero and 400GT, the unique chassis allowed the powertrain to sit nearly 8 inches farther forward in the car.

Combined with an additional 3.8 inches in wheelbase, the car could now seat 4 adults and whoosh them down the Autostrada with ease. The Espada continued to sell for 10 years after its introduction in 1968 with a total of 1,227 produced. This Series 3 generation is one of 456.

According to factory records, this car was sold new in Geneva Switzerland in March 1974. Lore has it was used previously in the Turin auto show, and it is one of three cars produced with these faux knock off wheels. It was imported sometime in the 1980s to a customer in Memphis Tennessee. The current owner found it on eBay, and acquired it from the third owner in St. Petersburg, Florida.