☰
conceptcarz.com
✕

1968 Lamborghini Islero

Ferruccio Lamborghini introduced the Islero at the 1968 Geneva Auto Show. Styling was courtesy of Mario Marazzi, formerly of Carrozzeria Touring in Milan. Carrozzeria Touring was Lamborghini's preferred coachbuilder, however, they were no longer in business, so Lamborghini commissioned ex-Touring personnel led by Mr. Marazzi to design and build the elegantly understated coachwork. 'Islero' was sourced from the legendary bull that killed Spain's best matador, 'Manolete'.

The Islero was an evolution of Lamborghini's first model, the Touring-styled 350GT. Just like the 400 GT, the Islero had a 4.0-liter engine designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and finessed by Giampaolo Dallara. The four-cam engine was fitted with six Weber carburetors and delivered 320 horsepower through a five-speed gearbox. Zero-to-sixty mph tool less than six seconds and top speed was achieved at 165 mph. Stopping power was supplied by power-assisted, four-wheel Girling disc brakes. A fully independent suspension offered more comfort and better handling than its Ferrari contemporaries. It was comprised of unequal-length A-arms and coil springs at all four corners. The square-tube chassis was based on that of its predecessors, but with a wider track to allow for wider tires.

The first Islero was completed by the factory on March 6, 1968, with the remainder of the first series finished by December except for one car that was finished on February 17 of 1969. A total of 125 examples were built.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Marazzi
Chassis number: 6243
Engine number: 2254

Lamborghini produced 125 examples of the original Islero from 1968 through 1969. They wore unique bodywork from Marazzi, the small Milanese coach-building firm that was formed after Touring's financial demise.

This Marazzi body for this example was delivered to Lamborghini's Sant'Agata factory on August 7th of 1968 and assembly was completed on September 3 of that year. It is believed to be one of just a few that were finished in dark bronze paint with a mustard interior. Delivered to Swiss importer Garages Foitek of Zurich on October 2, the car was purchased by Mr. Bader. By the 1980s, the car was owned by Gunther Kraxner of Kirchberg, Switzerland, although the car ceased to be registered after 1991, presumably following his passing. Carlo Pina of Solothurn, Switzerland became the car's next owner and reported that the engine had been rebuilt in 1985. Mr. Pina offered the car for sale in 2000, at which point it was imported to the United States by Beverly Hills, California, resident Randy Simon. Mike Finegan of Cincinnati, Ohio became the car's next owner and treated the car to a rebuild of the brakes, fuel lines, leather seats, and radiator.

Joe Corbacio of Hershey, PA acquired the car in September 2003. Mr Corbacio treated the car to further refurbishment. Work included rebuilding the suspension and brakes, and installing a correct wood-rimmed steering wheel, headliner, shelf upholstery, carpets, a new custom exhaust, plus copious seals, gaskets, and hoses. The car was also repainted in the correct bronze paint color.

In 2012, the V12 grand tourer was sold to a New York-based enthusiast. In essence, the car has had a 10-year restoration and is currently in excellent condition. There is a 3929cc dual overhead cam V12 engine fitted with six Weber 40 DCOE carburetors. The 320 horsepower is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Hydraulic disc brakes are found at all four corners.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Marazzi
Chassis number: 6201

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.

Coupe by Marazzi
Chassis number: 6204
Engine number: 2187

There were 125 examples of the Lamborghini Islero produced. Chassis number 6204 was the 68th example to leave the factory. A sign of the early models are the teardrop-shaped front sidelights that were later changed to a round shape.

This car was in the ownership of a California individual during the 1980s and was later sold to an individual from Wisconsin. The car is original with the exception of a repaint in its original factory colors of black.

In 2008, the car was selected as Best of Show at the Hillsborough Concours in California. The car is also featured in the 1988 volume 'The Complete Book of Lamborghini' as well as 'Lamborghini Supercar Supreme', published in 1994.

In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA. The car was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $200,000. The car would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Marazzi

The Lamborghini Islero is said to be most representative of what Ferruccio Lamborghini intended to build when he created his car company. It was as technically advanced as anything Ferrari had on the road and was subtlety styled by Marazzi to be a gentleman's express touring car rather than an impractical supercar.

Powered by a 4 liter, 325bhp engine, the car is said to have been Ferruccio's choice to commute between the many factories he had in Italy. He was truly the car's most influential fan. This car was owned by Ferruccio himself, this particular car shows some bespoke features not found on other Isleros. A special interior was installed as well as several wood features to match with Ferruccio's favorite wooden Lamborghini-powered boat.

Also ordered by Ferruccio was the rare 'red cam cover' engine which boosted the power of this Islero to 370hp matching the output of the Miura. Despite the passion and love for this car from the boss, it was never produced in large numbers. In its first year it sold 125 units before being updated to the 400GTS. The more exotic looking Miura and later Espada seemed to be more successful in separating a gentleman from his wallet.

Today this car has been fully restored to the condition it was in when it left the factory and makes a striking and elegant statement which simply drips with Italian style. The car is driven regularly and will be participating in the 2015 Copperstate 1000 Rally in Arizona.

Coupe by Marazzi

This design by Lamborghini was one of 125 early Islero models produced. Its design was made to keep up with a Ferrari Daytona with better ergonomics as a grand tourer. It was totally understated as Ferruccio Lamborghini had a hand in the design and produced this vehicle for customers who wanted performance and luxury without calling attention to themselves.

This 2,795 lb. car is powered by a 4,000 cc V12 with 2 overhead camshafts per cylinder bank developing 350 horsepower. The engine is coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission making it capable of 161 mph.

Coupe by Marazzi
Chassis number: 6318
Engine number: 2457

This Lamborghini is the 104th of 125 Isleros produced. It was delivered to Lamborghini from Marazzi on October 10th of 1968 and the finished coupe with finished in Argento silver over tobacco leather interior. It rolled off the line just over a month later on November 11th. It was shipped to nearby Milan for concessionaire Auto Elite, arriving on January 28th of 1969 and sold shortly thereafter to its first owner in the ritzy Como region. With registration plate 'CO 288540', it would remain in the country for another six years before being sold to the United Kingdom in 1975.

In the U.K., it was given registration 'JYP 16N' and was owned by John Henry Lewis until it was sold to John Theodore Barnes on August 1st of 1980. Mr. Barnes would keep the car for nearly four years. During his ownership, the car was given a major overhaul that included a rebuild of the drivetrain and a respray of the car to classic Rosso Corsa.

In April of 1984, the car was purchased by John Yearsley of Delaware and shipped to the United States. Mr. Yearsley would keep the car for 16 years before selling it to the next owner in 2000. It moved to the West Coast about a decade later. From 2011 to 2012, it was given extensive restoration work that included a rebuild of the carburetors, water pump, and cylinder heads with new valves and guides fitted. An additional $55,000 of work was performed on the car.

The result of this work was rewarded with a 3rd in Class at the 2012 Concorso Italian.

The current owner acquired the car in 2014.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Marazzi
Chassis number: 6327
Engine number: 2484

The Lamborghini Islero was style and built by Mario Marazzi, formerly of Carrozzeria Touring in Milan. It had a longer roofline than the 400 GT and rode on light-alloy, center-lock wheels sourced from the Miura. Power was from a four-liter V-12 engine delivering 320 horsepower and controlled through a five-speed gearbox. Zero-to-sixty was accomplished in less than six seconds and it had a 165 mph top speed. It had a fully independent suspension and larger, power-assisted, four-wheel Girling disc brakes.

This Lamborghini Islero 400 GT 2+2 is number 106 of a series of 125 units. It departed Sant'Agata Bolognese wearing Blu Notte Metallizzato (Blue Metallic) paint over Senape (Mustard) leather. It was delivered to Dr. Giordello in late November of 1968, a Lamborghini dealer in Naples. It is believed to have been exported to the United States in the 1980s, passing through the hands of an individual in Boston and then spending 15 years parked at a Jaguar dealership in Chicago.

In 2001, having approximately 30,000 km on its odometer, it was purchased by Dr. Fernando Sanchez of New Orleans. Dr. Sanchez restored it to working order, and drove it sparingly. The current owner purchased it from Dr. Sanchez in 2003 and commissioned a restoration.

The car was stripped to bare metal and then re-sprayed in its original factory color. The door panels, center consoles, and dashboard retain their original pigskin; the seats have been re-covered in leather; the carpets have been given new Wilton wool.

Currently, the odometer shows 53,000 km.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Marazzi

Ferruccio Lamborghini's first production car, the Touring-styled 350GT, was introduced in 1964 at the Geneva Motor Show. It was followed by the 400GT 2+2 and then the Islero in 1968, with Geneva once again serving as the venue of choice. The 3.5-liter, four-cam V12 engine powering the 350GT was designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and installed in a tubular chassis penned by Gianpaolo Dallara. A total of 131 examples of the 350GT were completed before the arrival of the 400GT, and 247 of those were built before it was superseded by the Islero.

The square-tube chassis utilized by the Islero was based on the one used by its predecessor but with a wider track to accommodate the wider tires. With Touring having gone out of business, the Islero styling was penned by ex-Touring personnel led by Mario Marazzi.

The 4.0-liter four-cam V12 engine powering the 400GT was carried over to the Islero but tuned to produce 320 horsepower. Output rose even further in the Islero S to 350 horsepower. A five-speed manual gearbox was standard, and the suspension was fully independent, with unequal-length A-arms and coil springs at all four corners. Girling disc brakes at all four corners provided the stopping power.

Following tradition, Lamborghini named the Islero after a famous bull - one that killed Spain's best matador, 'Manolete.'

The Lamborghini Islero was able to achieve 154 mph (161 mph in the S) and could sprint from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds (6.2 seconds in the S).

A total of 225 examples of the Islero were built between 1968 and 1969

by Dan Vaughan

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 Dan Vaughan