Description
A very rare UK RHD Lele automatic
History of this car
Only a total of 260 of this model were made, some with the Corvette motor and 135 Ford equipped like this one, believed less than 50 made in RHD, with around 35 UK imports.
Ours was built on 31. 07. 73 and registered new in the UK on 08/ 01/ 1974. Equipped with the 351 Ford Cleveland Cobra Jet motor developing 325BHP (SAE) at 5, 800rpm coupled to a Ford 3 speed Cruise-O matic automatic transmission, ZF power steering, air conditioning, superb Campagnolo elektron wheels and a lovely Nardi leather steering wheel.
Being a later production model, our car has the nicer Sport model type dashboard, featuring the auxiliary gauges in front of the passenger. According to the Iso Lele registry, the delivery colours of our car were gold with a white leather interior.
Registered TLH 375M, at some point the car was colour changed to silver, possibly at the time it was restored in 1994-7. Although no details of the restoration exist, according to the H&H Auctions details of the of the car in 1997 when sold to the previous long term owner, it had benefitted from a fresh restoration including engine and gearbox rebuilds and a full repaint.
Our Lele also features upgrades including Kenlowe fans, a Filter King fuel regulator/ filter and battery cut-out switch. A magnificent sounding PD Gough stainless exhaust system is also fitted.
Our car has been on long term display in an overseas motor museum since sold and returned to the UK in 2024.
We have re-commissioned the Lele and have suceeded in re-uniting it with its original UK number, TLH 375M, so it now has a V5 with UK title.
Bodywork
A sleek and graceful Bertone design by Marcello Gandini. The silver repaint is around 30 years old so there are some scratches, marks, sinkage and blemishes on most panels although as you can see, it polishes up nicely.
The body has very good panel fitment and appears very solid, the glass and bright work being original and good.
The car looks great at a few paces and is the type of vehicle you can park and not worry about, with the option of repainting, maybe in the original gold, at a later date.
The chassis is very tidy and clean with older protective underseal.
Mechanicals
After a long period on museum display, our Lele benefits from a lot of new work including:
Replacement Pirelli tyres and HD Bosch battery
Some wiring repairs
New coolant hoses, fresh blue glycol coolant
Ignition complete overhaul: new Marelli coil, fresh points, condensers, distributor cap, HT leads and plugs
Fuel system overhaul: new fuel pump and hoses, new 4 barrel Holley carburetor
New air filter and assembly
New engine oil and filter
New transmission fluid
New OE type ATE brake master cylinder, brake fluid flushed and changed
New 4 x track rods
NOS OE Arman wiper blades
The under bonnet presents very smartly with original bonnet lining pad, and features a leak free, really strong engine which has factory oil pressure and doesn’t smoke. The air conditioning doesn’t work.
An advisory free MOT runs until November 2025.
Interior
Unlike many similar cars, the Lele is really spacious inside and will accommodate the tallest driver. The interior is mostly smart and original. Our car has factory tooled leather which has been Connolised at some point and colour changed from white to cream. There are a few small rip repairs required. The carpets are part original and part replacement. The headlining is original and undamaged. The fully equipped dashboard is very good and our car is fitted with a radio and speakers; new lap and diagonal front seat belts are installed.
The factory fit air conditioning is currently inoperative. Most of the gauges work but not the speedometer.
Summary
A cool, powerful, characterful and very rare 4 seat Italian exotic GT which you don’t have to break the bank servicing. This is a use and improve type car. It has great road presence and ours is offered at half the price of other examples, Alfa GTV money this, so incredible value!
More pictures on the website: - details above
E&OE
