Classic Lamborghini 1960s Sports Cars Archives

Lamborghini Espada 1960s Italian sports car

The Lamborghini Espada was designed by Bertone. Their styling standards were of the highest – both inside and out. Sitting pretty atop the tail lights, for example, was a clear glass panel. Not only was it a sweet visual flourish – it assisted with parking, too. An impressive blend, then, of form and function. The Espada’s interior was state of the art. Its focal point was a control console, between the front seats. The console – and ‘techie’ dashboard above it – housed an aircraft-type array of dials and switches. And – Sixties supercar though it was – the 4-seater Espada was far from cramped.

The top-spec Espada was good for 155mph. It was powered by a 4-litre V12. The motor sat beneath an alloy bonnet. Pierced NACA ducts adorned the front profile. Engineering-wise, a one-off 5-speed gearbox did shifting duty.

The Espada’s ride was smooth and pliant. That was aided by all round wishbone suspension – plus, a wide track and fat tyres. Overall, handling was excellent. Power-steering and auto transmission were options on later models. The Espada was based on the Marzal concept car. On its release – in ’68 – the Espada set a new speed benchmark for 4-seaters. So – in every automotive aspect – the Lamborghini Espada was a genuine Italian masterpiece!

The 350 GT was Lamborghini’s first production car. It was launched in March, ’64. Touring – Italian coachbuilders extraordinaire – were tasked with styling it. Headquartered in Milan, Touring’s brief was based on the Lamborghini 350 GTV prototype. Bodywork comprised alloy panels. They were hung on a Superleggera steel frame. The 350 GT’s light body was key to its top speed of 152mph. The solid round-tube chassis was supported by coil spring and tubular wishbone suspension. Girling disc brakes stopped the plot.

Gian Paulo Dallara – alongside Giotto Bizzarini – engineered the GT. Power was supplied by the trusty Lamborghini V12. The crankshaft of the quad-cam 60° motor was machined from a single billet. 280bhp was duly produced. The V12 was fed by side-draught carburettors. That, in turn, led to a rakishly low bonnet line. Capacity was 3,464cc. The 5-speed transmission – and steering box – were by ZF. The rear diff was by Salisbury. Fast, smooth and tractable, the 350 GT handled superbly. So – with both the form and function of their first model sorted – it seemed Lamborghini was off to a flyer!

The 350 GT was eminently user-friendly. There was, for example, a synchro-mesh reverse gear. The cabin was a chic and comfortable place to be. Just 143 cars were built. Exclusivity, then, was part of the package. Of course – in terms of sheer glamour – the 350 GT falls short of Lamborghini’s supercars. But – as an opening sports car shot – it had all the allure and panache that would become so synonymous with the marque.