Lamborghini “Espada 400 GT coupé”, Bertone, 1969
Presented in Geneva in March 1968, the new Espada aroused a great deal of interest due to its highly innovative and extremely aerodynamic line, then defined as “artistic”. It was produced to compete with the spacious and wonderfully comfortable coupé vehicles that Maserati with the “Mexico” and Ferrari with the 365 GT 2+2 had already put on the market, even if it was technically less refined.
Starting with the platform of the “400GT“, the Lamborghini vehicle had enormous personality; the mechanics, except for the pitch which had been extended by 15 cm, were the same as the 400 GT, including the V12, 3929cc engine, although the power had been slightly raised (325hp).
The finishing was also more exclusive (the entire interior was upholstered in leather, including the dashboard). The Naca ducts on the bonnet were reminiscent of aeronautical solutions and it had rear-wheel drive. Because of the original fast back roof with the rear window divided into two parts, the car, despite a rather poor development in height, had 4 separate seats.
From 1970-71 the second series was further developed by substantially changing the interiors that Gandini had already designed. A VIP version with a fridge-bar and television screen was also available.
