Trade the Bora for an Espada? Your opinions...

Art,

In my opinion you'd be making a big mistake. The Espada isn't that nice of a driver especially the S2 without power steering.
The engine has very little torque compared to the Bora. The Bora is a far superior car,much more solid,handles better,brakes better and looks better especially with the Euro bumpers.
I hope you never have to rebuild a v12 Lamborghini engines,expect to spend $25k $35k for a complete engine out of the car.
The Bora is far easier to work and parts are affordable. I have owned both and the Bora was by fare more enjoyable.

 

My opinion, don't do it. Bora!

 

Thought I would chime in...
I have owned both and the Bora is much easier to maintain with parts readily available for just about everything from MIE and other suppliers. The build quality on the Bora is also much better and probably has some room to grow value wise.

The Espada that I had years ago, a 400 2+2 as well as a 350gt that I also owned in the 2000's were parts and maintenance nightmares. Very difficult to find parts and when you did it was not cheap. The V12 engine is really great when it builds up a head of steam, sound like a turbine spooling up, but boy that was a big ungainly car.

I would take Bora back into my garage any day over an espada.

Chris

 

I would say the Bora all day over the Espada. If you did decide you had to have an Espada, no way a straight trade.

 

I've not been able to drive my Espada quite like I did my Bora. I haven't been over 100 in the Espada and it's ringing on old suspension stuff @ 33K miles.

It's true that the build quality of the Bora is better in terms of body structure. Much stronger. But in terms of paint finish and leather trimming ... The Bora isn't any better built. Mine's better NOW after a complete engine compartment redo but the original was just horrible. There's no paint under all that undercoating!

The ZF transaxle is obviously far superior to the homemade Lamborghini 5 speed and there's a entire company still dedicated to maintaining those trannies.

I agree about the torque issue, big time difference. The Lambo winds up just so beautifully.
That carb linkage is a real beotch though.

But the ride of the Espada is awfully good and the seating in the front is very comfortable and spacious fo the 6'1" older dude. It's very easy to get in and out. The car is dreadful in the rain. The Bora rides nicely too but the seats aren't comfortable in the version I have WO the deep cushioning. But it's totally necessary for legroom for me and I do tuck my left foot under the pedals. Passenger legroom in a Bora is obscene. With the newer battery technologies it really should be relocated and then you get the footwell back. I've seen it done.

I've converted the ignition system on my Espada to pertronix and so the horrors of 4 sets of points are a thing of the past. The engine does fire right up. Horrible gas mileage. In fact everything to do with gasoline on that car is horrible. Filling it on BOTH sides, running fuel hose through the interior under the carpet and in point of fact most of the fuel system is actually contained inside the interior of the car hidden by fiberglass, leather and carpet. The carbs are in the engine compartment though ... PLan on an entire fuel system delivery rebuild so that you don't smell gas.

But hey, I once dumped 1/2 tank of gas down the V in the Maserati V8 due to a loose banjo fitting on a hot summer day and that drain hole in the V8 that drops out over the crank just aft of the rear main seal is a DAMN good idea!

Shall I continue beating up on vintage exotic Italian cars? LOL

I bought my Espada because I liked the look of that very exotic design and I expected the V12 to be more complex. If only because 12 is a lot more than 8. 50% more and when you're tuning carbs or changing plugs it's a big deal. Plugs are a PITA on the old V12. On the V8 they are child's play. So is that carb linkage. Foot pedals and brake/clutch master cylinders are an absolute nightmare. I always had good luck with the LHM system on the Bora except when I screwed up.

Oh and one more issue. On the Bora there are emergency ways to get at the rear hatch release. The Espada has nothing ... I can only envision it being an absolute disaster.

 

Although I too think the Bora is the smartest choice there is something to be said about trying out different cars.

I got more comments when driving the Espada than with the Bora. Of course in North Georgia people have no idea what either of these two cars are

I had a series 3 Espada with power steering and a rather attractive gold color. A red series 2 would not be my first choice. If someone wants to trade you for an Iso Grifo .... go for it before he changes his mind!

Ivan

 

Art, I sent you a pm.

 

+10000.

I could go on all day had lots of experiences with both as a friend of owners and journalist but no time so just a few comments. The Bora is a brilliantly conceived jewel -not perfect by any means but much more advanced than an Espada conceptually; see my book, I got paid long ago makes no difference to me- but this is really about the Espada so here goes.

The point first: the Espada's driving position is like being a lady on Gyno's inspection table; awful ergonomics.
If you are going to drive hard make sure you have fresh tires, we almost understeered into the wall at a hairpin in the Jura mountains in the 80's. I was with a friend and his gf. I will never forget earlier that day on the autoroute between Paris and Geneva she was knitting in the backseat, oblivious, at 230kmh[140mph]

I love the charisma of the Espada but a Bora is a much better car in so many ways and less expensive to maintain. Also an awful lot of Espadas went through the hands of owners who could not afford them so the delayed maintenance can really bite.
Memories of crazy rides in and near Paris in various ones in the early 80's 110mph bursts in the middle of Paris 4 in the car at midnight...I did not want to be in that backseat nor did I agree with the madness but we all survived and it was intense....

Oh and when I was at Motorcar Gallery sometime in 2004 or so three real hilllbillies from the Apallachians real Bubba pick up truck types bought a really tired Espada...we had warned them the car was a tired old dog needing lots of work...when they came back to pick it up we asked where their transporter was and they answered:

Naw naw we're driving this ol gal raaaght on home yessir....our eyeballs almost popped out...you never drive a classic over long distances right after purchase unless it is really sorted, on the button like the Brits say...rule number one. We waited anxiously....then three days later we got a call, at last:
"We got home no problem at all she ran real sweet it was even easier once we figured out there were 2 fuel tanks and we didn't have to stop for no fuelie every hour no sir....

I never saw such a mismatch between car and owner but they were happy

MS