Lamborghini Restores Classic Islero And Espada In Time For Their 50th Anniversary

Lamborghini has celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Espada and Islero by restoring two models owned by the Lamborghini Museum.

The restoration work was completed by Lamborghini Polo Storico, but the company was surprising coy on details. Despite this, both cars look brand new and the Islero has been painted a lovely shade of green.

Speaking of the Islero, it’s a little known model that was produced between 1968 and 1970. Only 225 units were built and a vast majority of them were entry-level variants equipped with a front-mounted 4.0-liter V12 engine that produced 315 hp (235 kW / 320 PS). This enabled the car to hit a top speed of approximately 155 mph (250 km/h).

Lamborghini also offered an Islero S which featured an upgraded engine developing 345 hp (257 kW / 350 PS). Only 70 units were built and they could top out at around 161 mph (260 km/h).

The Espada, on the other hand, is more widely known as the company built 1,226 units over the course of its 10-year production run. Besides being one of the more popular early Lamborghini models, the Espada was the company’s first four-seater as well as the first to be offered with an automatic transmission.

Despite these creature comforts, the Espada had a 4.0-liter V12 engine with dual overhead camshafts and six twin-barrel Weber carburetors. The engine’s output varied by series, but the car had between 320 hp (239 kW / 325 PS) and 345 hp (257 kW / 350 PS).

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the cars will take part in a classic vehicle tour through central Italy. The tour will span more than 403 miles (650 km) and include stops in cities such as Tuscany and Sant’Agata Bolognese.