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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Lamborghini Espada Prototype

1967Coachwork by Bertone

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 chaotic—a 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 history—an 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.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
LamboCARS — Lamborghini Espada Prototype Guide lambocars.com Marque specialist history
LamboCARS — Lamborghini performance/data archive www.lambocars.com Marque specialist data archive

THE CONVERSATION

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