Lamborghini Espada: driving test and video
Posted on 10-10-2015 at 19:00 by CasperH – 35 Comments”
We discover the Lamborghini Espada, a car that proves that Lamborghini can do more than just die-hard two-seater sports cars build.
[ First look, then read? Watch the video HERE! ]
Ferruccio Lamborghini was a man who listened to his customers. That was in contrast to a certain mr. E. Ferrari, who a few years earlier had ensured that Lamborghini as a car brand was born, by not listening to the wishes of Ferruccio. And so began Lamborghini to the development of the Espada when his customers asked for a more daily useable car. Lamborghini was still a young brand, as the only models at that time, the Miura and 350GT and 400GT.
The name Espada is also a reference to the sword of the bullfighters, such as the logo can also be seen. As we of Lamborghini used, each name has a certain link with bulls or bullfighting. The Espada was the sword that the bull at the end of the fight, the death blow was given.
In 1968, brought Lamborghini, which until then only real sports cars had been built, the Espada, on the market. A hefty GT with enough room for four adults on board, signed by Marcello Gandini who worked for Bertone. Gandini had taken a good look at two conceptcars that he just had signed. First, the Lamborghini Marzal, a futuristic concept with transparent doors. The second concept was the Jaguar Pirana by Bertone, on the basis of the E-Type. Throw these two cars in the blender and you have a little fantasy to the Espada to come.
The long, low nose was possible because of Lamborghini’s V12 a relatively short stroke. As a result the block is fairly compact and could be the low nose can be achieved. And if you have the lines well fantastic or understand thoroughly hate: you can’t deny that it is a very quirky, extremely design. Personally I find it typical of a Lamborghini: impressive and bizarre, without gorgeous. If you are going to refuel, you save on than a search for the fuel cap. Or rather, fuel caps. Under the black grilles in the rear window pillars is on both sides for a cap to be found.
The interior of cars from this time is always to feast on. In the Espada, with two colours of leather and lined with wood. Buttons and gauges are there in abundance, the gear lever is made of wood, a metal handle. Everything is solid and relatively heavy to operate. The wooden steering wheel is a lot on you, but looks a little sporty in comparison to the rest of the car. The Espada is built in three series, of which the first was built from 1968 to 1970. The car that we have is the Espada Series II was built between 1970 and 1972. The last series was the 1978 built, but the Series II were ultimately the most built: 575 pieces. The Series I rolled 186 times from the factory, the Series III brought the total number of Espada’s finally at 1217.
Turn the key means that the V12 softly starts to hum. No roar, no irregularities, just a soothing brommetje. If you’re looking for noise, you will on the gas, but about it more. Driving means working. Not with the pedals, that’s all going to be relatively light and also the gear lever allows relatively easy to operate. No, the work is in the control. This heavy car, with its V12 at the front wheels, requires muscles. Once you are a little bit on speed tap changes the Espada in a reasonable preciesen easy to drive auto, but at low speeds: gym. Incidentally, the Espada optionally equipped with power steering, so that your grandma there on the step.
About pace: the 3.9-litre V12 from Lamborghini delivers reasonably spirited performance. The second series Espada was the decision about 350 hp and 392 Nm of torque, enough to in less than seven seconds, the 100 to touch a peak of 250 kilometres per hour to reach. And that brings me back to the sound. If you have quiet drives that sound bad, but if you the steps on accelerator all hell breaks loose. The open chalices make for a delicious aanzuiggeluid. A mechanical, raspy roar that leaves no doubt as to the fact that this car, despite its what cumbersome avoid, was built by a bunch of loonies from Sant’Agata Bolognese. What a soundtrack, addictive and phenomenal. Thanks to the proper torque, you can pretty lazy ride, but if you want some more influences you have more fun.
The Espada is a great car and although it is certainly not a bad driving car, you should also not expect with a sports car on step. It is a large GT in the ’70s and behaving the way the Espada themselves. It is certainly not as extreme or dangerous as that of an old Lamborghini is expected, it is just a car for people with muscles. The car that we have borrowed at Autobedrijf vd Akker is carried out in Miura blue, beautiful draadwielen and is in a very beautiful state. That is not strange, because he has about 30,000 kilometres behind the back. Movie!
Gallery: Lamborghini Espada Series II
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