THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 1967
- Body style
- Coupé
- Engine
- 3.9 L naturally aspirated V12
- Type
- Prototype
- Production
- 1
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR
Coachbuilding, design & conversions
PRICE & SALES RECORD
Vehicle value
- Original price
- Not documented
- Latest recorded sale
- Not documented
01 / THE STORY
History & context
The Lamborghini Espada Prototype, crafted by the visionary Marcello Gandini under the banner of Bertone in 1967, stands as a testament to bold experimentation in automotive design. With its sleek silhouette and avant-garde features, this prototype captivated onlookers, albeit with some contentious elements. One of the most distinctive characteristics of the Espada Prototype was its half-moon-shaped side windows, a daring departure from conventional design norms. These unusual windows lent the prototype a futuristic aura, simultaneously captivating and confounding observers with their unconventional aesthetic. However, perhaps the most polarizing aspect of the prototype was its initial inclusion of gull-wing doors, a feature that added an extra layer of flair but also introduced an element of discordance to the overall design. The combination of the unorthodox side windows and the gull-wing doors resulted in a side profile that some found disjointed and chaotica stark departure from the harmonious lines typically associated with luxury automobiles. Despite the initial controversy surrounding its design, the Espada Prototype ultimately paved the way for the production version, which underwent significant refinements to address the criticisms leveled against its aesthetic. Thankfully, the production model discarded the gull-wing doors and introduced revisions to the side windows, resulting in a more cohesive and visually pleasing design. In retrospect, while the Lamborghini Espada Prototype may have initially confounded observers with its unconventional design elements, it remains a seminal piece of automotive historyan embodiment of the creative daring and innovative spirit that characterized the era of automotive design in the late 1960s. The end design was luckly changed one the series production model.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production
- 1
- Production type
- Prototype
Engine & performance
- Engine configuration
- 3.9 L naturally aspirated V12
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- Specification notes
- LamboCARS' prototype archive identifies the unique 1967 Espada prototype with a 3.9-litre naturally aspirated V12 and five-speed manual transmission. Production Espada power, dimensions and chassis data are not inherited.
Design & manufacture
- Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
- Bertone
- Designer · Documented
- Marcello Gandini
- Manufacturer · Documented
- Lamborghini
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 2 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| LamboCARS — Lamborghini Espada Prototype Guide lambocars.com | Marque specialist history |
| LamboCARS — Lamborghini performance/data archive www.lambocars.com | Marque specialist data archive |












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