Description
This is lot number 152 in the Bonhams Zoute sale on October 6th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
One of only 125 examples of the first batch Isleros out of total production of 225 cars
320bhp 4. 0-litre V12 engine
Delivered new to Portugal
Only three owners and believed 80, 300 kilometres from new
Matching numbers chassis and engine
Accompanied by a certificate from Lamborghini historian Olivier Nameche
Old Portuguese title and Belgian E705
Launched at the Geneva Salon in 1968, the Islero was a development of the 400 GT 2+2, which was itself derived from Ferruccio Lamborghini's first production car, the Touring-styled 350 GT of 1964. Launched at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show, the 350 GT was the work of three of Italy's most illustrious automobile engineers, featuring a glorious 3. 5-litre, four-cam V12 designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, which was housed in a tubular chassis developed by Gian Paolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani. The 350 GT's four camshafts and all-independent suspension meant that it upstaged the best that Ferrari offered at the time. After a slow start production soon picked up, with 131 350 GTs being completed before the arrival of the 400 GT and 247 of the latter before it was superseded by the Islero.
The Islero's square-tube chassis was based on that of its predecessors, though with wider track to accommodate fatter rubber, while its elegantly understated coachwork was styled by ex-Touring personnel led by Mario Marazzi. The model was named after the legendary bull that had killed Spain's best matador, 'Manolete'. Housed beneath an impressively low-slung bonnet, Lamborghini's 4. 0-litre V12 engine was carried over from the 400 GT and produced 320bhp initially, 350bhp in later Islero S form. The latter appeared in 1969 after 125 cars had been completed and could be distinguished by its flared wheelarches, vented front wings and a revised interior with more supportive seats and improved instruments and switch gear. Improvements were also made to the suspension and brakes.
Car magazine's test Islero achieved a true 252km/ h back in 1969, proving as quiet and sta-ble at its maximum as at 209km/ h. It was also startlingly quick off the mark, hitting 100km/ h in 5. 9 seconds and hurtling to 161km/ h in 13. 7 - outstanding figures even today. Around the Neapolitan back-roads the Islero demonstrated an agility and sureness of foot which belied its role as a Grande Routière. Despite an impeccable pedigree, the Islero, only 225 of which were manufactured between 1968 and 1969, is today the most overlooked of Lamborghini's early front-engined cars.
Delivered new to Vecar, the Lamborghini importer for Portugal, on 28th November 1968, the car offered here is one of the first batch of 125 Isleros produced, fitted with the V12 4. 0-liter engine. '6264' was originally finished in Argento (silver) with Nero (black) interior.
The car remained in the hands of its first owner until November 2007, when it was sold with 78, 000 kilometres on the odometer and remained in Portugal. Restored, reportedly by its second owner, The car has belonged to the current and third owner since 2013. The enthusi-astic collector has kept it on display in his important private collection and it is believed the recorded mileage of 80, 300 kilometres is its genuine mileage from new.
Accompanying documentation consists of the following: Portuguese registration document and Belgian registration application; 2013 purchase invoice; Exported Portuguese title; Original certificate from the Portuguese Classic Car Club from 1999; as well as a certificate kindly issued by Lamborghini historian Olivier Nameche.
