Modern Classic: '73-'76 Lamborghini Espada III

Editor's Note: Ken Gross is a well-known and respected automotive journalist whose expertise extends from new cars to vintage hot rods. He may be best known for his knowledge of classic cars. We asked Ken to select 10 "affordable" classics and tell us a little about them and why we should consider owning one. This month's selection is the Lamborghini Espada III.


"Automobile" magazine founder David E. Davis, Jr., likes to say, "Everyone should own a twelve-cylinder car, at least once." If you think, on your meat-and-potatoes budget, V-12 ownership seems quite unlikely, here's a secret for you (and you'd best hurry before the word is out!): Lamborghini's Espada, a 150-mph Grand Tourer packing a 325-bhp V-12, 5-speed manual and room for four people is your salvation.


Good Series I's are sexy-looking, very fast, and you won't see yourself coming and going. The Espada (named for a bullfighting sword) Series I bowed in Geneva in 1968 on a new, very rigid pressed steel chassis with a 104.3-inch wheelbase. Its 4-liter, 6-carburetor V-12 was pushed forward eight inches (vs. the 400 GTs) for a larger passenger compartment. Gandini's striking design echoed the earlier Marzal show car, with an enormous windscreen, flat panels, and an extremely low roofline. The resulting 4-seater looked as though it been flattened by a tank. Amazingly, the Espada's 1968 price was $21,000—just like the Miura's. Critics complained about the heavy manual steering, so starting in 1969, Series I's offered a power option, along with the 350-bhp Miura S V-12, a revised instrument panel, vented front discs and 5-bolt mag wheels. Series IIIs had an even nicer dash and steering wheel, and standard air conditioning (in U.S. models). Options included power steering, a Chrysler TorqueFlite automatic and a sunroof. Output rose to 365-bhp but U.S. cars were lumbered with ugly black Federal bumpers.


Espadas suffer the same maladies as most '70s Italians: erratic build quality, persistent rust, benign neglect and electrical goblins. Fit electronic ignition on an early car and you'll be okay. In tune, an Espada is a delight. The howl of the 6-carb V-12, the rush of wind as you hit 60 in six seconds (in First!) and the joyous shrieks of four supremely happy adults as you blast through a 3-digit sweeper are things you just don't get in every sports car—let alone one for just $30,000 that's a quarter-century old.