The only difference I can see on US S1 and early S2 is the speedometer in miles. Later US S2 (roughly between chassis 8200 and 8500) have the side markers in on the front wings and just behind the Espada script on the rear fender. Late S2 and S3 have the rectangle US side markers on the front and rear wing below the Espada script.
Wow, I got excited for a S1 here in CT.....but what a mess....everything is missing? It would seem hard to pay any kind of money for that.
first off didnt know they made Espadas in 1966??? second, those tail light holes indicate later car maybe series 2 but have not seen a S1 with those ?? Maybe im off Gary Espada 8394
As you know I am looking for an Espada and bit confused with the differences among them. My questions are: Do the late S2 have 5-bolt wheels? All S3 have AC and power steering? Can you identify the series by Vin no. 7,8, and 9? and the style of dashes? Do some of the late S2 with leather roll-top dash, similar to S3 without the middle wooden strip?
All S3 have AC but not all have power steering. A few early S3 were delivered without power steering. The chassis numbers are roughly the below: 7000 – 7200 early S1 with hexagonal dash and rear grill 7200 – 7550 late S1 with hexagonal dash, without rear grill 7550 – 8400 early S2 with Miura style rims and pentagon rear lights 8400 – 8550 mid-S2 with Miura style rims and rectangle or US rear lights 8550 – 8900 late S2 with 5-bolt wheels, rectangle or US rear lights, a few of these are delivered with power steering 8900 – 9100 S3 , power steering available as an option 9100 – 9900 S3 , standard power steering, this includes the cars delivered with automatic gearbox For me the difference between S1, S2 and S3 is the dash. The series by Vin no. 7,8, and 9 is the sequence of allocation and has nothing to do with production changes (f.e. #7999 should have the same characteristics as #8002).
All this is mostly the case however I have a series 2 1971 serial number 8394 with rectangular tail lights and during restoration we confirmed this to be original . seems in 1971 Lamborghini was in big trouble and they may have used whatever they could with stock parts to just to finish a customers car.... above however is a very good giude . Gary Espada 8394
You’re correct I checked my files and it should be a few numbers before 8400 they changed to rectangular tail light (f.e. #8368, #8378 & #8392 also have the rectangular lights). It’s difficult to put exact chassis numbers on this because changes took place on production number and not chassis number. And as you said it’s always possible that they used “old” stock parts to finish a car. It seems that together with the change of rear lights the clock moved from the center console to the top of the dash. From the cars I know; S2 with pentagon tail lights have the clock on the center console, S2 with rectangle tail lights have the clock on top of the dash.
Is sunroof an option for Espada as well? I saw a red 1970 S2 Espada with a big sunroof on a website: http://www.cheshireclassiccars.co.uk/79-lamborghini-espada-sii/view-details
At least on that car I can confirm that this is not a factory sunroof (I've pictures of the same car in the eighties without the sunroof). #7293 (reported earlier in this thread) has a factory sunroof and the sunroof is also claimed to be an option on the late S2 and S3 cars but I don't know the exact number of cars with the sunroof.
Guys, lets not confuse the big clear plexiglass roof as seen in #7293 with what we here in the USA would call a sun roof which opens. I think the opening sun roofs came later as an option on S3. AFAIK when I inquired about the details (there were many) of #7293 from Valentino that's the only plexiglass roof the factory did. With good reason. It's not even a moon roof since it does not open.
I am learning about the differences everyday. In this case, the clock is not in the middle of the console so it is mid-S2. How do you explain the pentagon rear lights? Is this Espada in the crossover zone between early and mid S2 cars?
I bought this particular Espada back in September but haven't taken delivery yet because I wanted various jobs doing to it first (paint correction, re-underseal, fitting rear seat belts, spraying the wheels the correct silver, etc.) The latest information I have is it should be ready by the end of this month, can't wait! The unique roof on this car is interesting. When I first spotted it for sale, I hoped it had been done by the factory but this clearly isn't the case, which is a shame but at least it seems to have done very well, fitting completely flush with the roof itself. Attached is a poster of the car I bought off eBay dating from the eighties and it shows the car with incorrect mirrors and black spinners, both of which have now been corrected. When I drove the car for the first time, I ran it up to well over 100mph as I was concerned the huge roof panel might vibrate or lift, so I was very relieved when it remained completely stable at speed. A previous owner had spent a lot of money on this car, bringing the interior up to a much higher standard than it ever was originally. The interior has been re-trimmed in Connolly hide and 'Rolls Royce' spec Wilton carpets, all of which are pipped in the same leather as the seats. Then all the main dials are flush in the dash, which has been veneered in walnut, as have all the door trims. I've only got the iphone picture (below) of the interior, which really doesn't do it justice. I sold my Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 a few months ago after I drove the 400GT from the Lamborghini museum and discovered how much nicer the Lamborghini was to drive compared to my Ferrari.. Values on these 350GT and 400GT cars have increased dramatically recently, so I looked at Espadas instead and after inspecting a few, chose this one because it drove so well and I liked the modifications. It does seem crazy that I sold my Ferrari 330 for three times the price I paid for this Espada but that seems the way with classic Ferraris at the moment. I'll do another update once it arrives but you can expect to see this car appear in both evo and Octane in the near future! Harry Metcalfe Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Very nice addition to a great stable of cars! I would imagine the Espada feels quite a bit more modern to drive than the 330GT.
The Espada pictured at Colin Clarke's workshop a few years ago with the twin sunroofs that it had since the early 80s Stephen Keen Image Unavailable, Please Login
Does anyone know this dark green/black Espada? Is this one of the original color? What is the color code/#? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Philippe, Look at that ninth picture. Is that from a 400GT? It might be the same color as my car too?
From the early to the mid-S2, the HVAC air control sliders moved from next to the steering column, where they were on S1, to the center console panel between the air ducts. It's got other S2 hallmarks: the AC evap is in the center console, the extra gusseting between the firewall and the box-section frame, etc. It's a Euro-delivery as it doesn't have the holes for the corner lights. I'd guess this car was made late in '70 or early in '71 and shipped over to the US early in its life, before the DOT started enforcing lighting regulations on grey-market imports around 1975. It sure is missing a lot of parts. I hope it has everything in those milk crates or it'll be quite the fab job for the new owner. AR
Aaron, Mine #7996 has the earlier ventialtion controls next to steering column and the clock in the center console. I also have the euro front only side markers. Mine has a production date of 9/11/71. I think this one is later than mine. There are pair of 400GT interior door panels in those photos too.
Your picture is too dark... What is the Telaio/VIN number ? Then I can tell you its original color....
