Espada thread

An interesting S1 Espada with a low estimated value. Recommissioning is something I find attractive, maybe I like the torture of it?

I called and spoke with the auction house - I asked them if there were any concealed flaws that brought such a low estimate when the description and photos are quite good. They didn't know. Also, they were not sure how long it's been sitting in the museum.

The odo reads 01,886km. Not sure what to make of that. They say the paint has some bubbles and spider cracks, and looks like lacquer. I think that signals a repaint. Why repaint a low mileage car? Probably 101,886km and redone interior.

They didn't know if any recent prep work has been done. Don't Lambo V12's like to spin their journals after sitting a long time? I asked of the car will be driven up on the podium, they said YES. So I deduce it runs and has brakes. But to me it sounds like a terrible idea - to run an engine that's been sitting let's say 10 years?

But I'm a glutton for punishment and registered to bid, just in case the bids are very low. It'll cross the block tomorrow.

Best,
- Art

 

Good luck Art.

It can be a pretty car.
Espadas are much bigger PITA to work on than a Bora. Though my Bora was very clean when I got it so I may be a bit spoiled. It too was a museum sitter. Headgaskets had to be done.

A full restoration of an Espada, not saying you'd have to do that, could be as much as $100-140K. So I'm told.

 

Thanks Bob,
Glad to read your input. Luckily, there is a limit (in bidding dollars) to my madness. I fully expect someone else will outbid me, but you can't get lucky unless you're in to bid. If it ends up in my garage, good. My approach to "collecting" has most to do with wringing them out on the road. Restoration only comes after 5-6 years of enjoyment - and more importantly when I am thoroughly familiar with them.
Best,
- Art

P.S. - Are you coming up to Saratoga Springs this Saturday for the Hemmings Sports & Exotic show? The Bora will be there...

 

... which is a bit of a rash statement. The clarification is; I own a car to drive it. If an engine blows while I'm enjoying it before restoration, I keep reserves to get it rebuilt. This puts it back on the road to serve its intended purpose until a restoration becomes the next logical step.

 

I do want to go to that some time but we're busy now.

Car looks nice. Are you thinking of running it without the hub caps?

 

Thanks - I had them off for polishing, so not really thinking of removing them long term. But I admit I like the look. Might look at center caps like the '77's. It screams "1970's" a little less. ;-)



Sorry for the hijack. Back to discussing Espada's.....

 

I looked at this car today. Heavy coat of paint, body filler in many places. Not a quality paint job. Filler might be hiding body damage on the doors and rear quarters. Some rust showing and tell tale paint bubbles. Interior is ok but dirty. Seams on dash starting to split. Carpet needs replacing. Engine runs roughly but has no brakes or clutch. Asked if they were going to push it onto the podium. Guy said, "not sure". Wheels don't have the spinners. Engine compartment is not detailed. Engine is leaking oil in several places. Overall a bit of a disappointment compared to the pictures on the website. My biggest concern is what is under the paint.

 

I saw the car yesterday. Did not hear it run. Glad to have the report.

The the car is rusty. Drivers door is rusted through on the bottom at the front, lots of filler at the pinch welds of the rockers both sides, bubbling paint lower quarters, bubbling paint at the back of the hood.

 

Thanks for sharing your observations gentlemen.

 

The princess car @ $26K looks like an absolute bargain by comparison.
That car had zero rust but a total interior and plenty of mechanical plus detailing.
But it too was a handful to bring it to where it is today.

This one ... money pit.

But ... S1's are cool ...

 

What a relief it didn't end up in my hands. Sold for $64,000. You gotta wonder what motivated the buyer.

 

64k for the S1 on TV.
Was that today? Was flippin the channels and came across the auction....

 

Yow, $64k (right? or was it $62k) for the Auctions America S1. Big ante for a starter's kit.

 

Insanity, or the fact that the number was smaller in euros.

 

Yeah that was the weirdest thing.....
......I think he head shaking told the story.

 

I know I'm happy because ...

It sounded like a mess of a car.
I didn't buy it.
It sold for a lot of money considering.

Espadas are finally on the escalator.

 

Yeah, up from sub-basement #3.

 

Well at least we've moved out of Filene's bargain basement! LOL

 

That was me on TV. I was half a second from getting the car at $50k until the phone bidder jumped in at last call. The phone bidder continued to bid at the last second each time annoying the auctioneer (they were behind schedule). My last bid was $63k and the car sold for $64k (+10% auction fees). I believe the paint was hiding some serious trouble. I brought a paint gauge with me. It was reading 300-500+, and found filler in the doors and quarters. The engine was running, but at over 100,000 KM its probably going to need something soon. Last week they told me the car was in a shop getting the brakes fixed. Odd that today the brake and clutch pedals dropped to the floor with no resistance. If the car was drive-able I might have gone higher.

I'll keeping looking. Would have been nice to have a S1, but I'd be happy with a S3. Maybe I'll start looking at Countach's.

 

Well NOT purchased I suspect.

 

Don't get discouraged, they're out there. I found mine through a search engine called Claz.org that for some reason dug up an old online classified that had expired months earlier. And that was after passing on four cars over three years. The only one I sort of regret is the first one, a one-owner Series 1 I saw at a nice house in Beverly Hills around 2008. The guy would have taken $30k, I offered him $25k and wouldn't budge. I went to look at it twice, but I just couldn't bring myself to up the offer. The car was in good condition but he had gone through it in the early '80s and "modernized" the whole interior with black formica panels and high-grade electronics knobs and switches, plus shag carpeting. It was SO 1980s I felt like I was in a Miami Vice episode. That was a turn-off for me. I asked him why and he said "because I never planned to sell it." Seemed like a good reason for an 80-year-old. I also looked at that copper S1 in Beverly Hills at the dealer. It was a disaster, glad I passed.

If you missed out on this car, it was meant to be. I firmly believe it. The right one will come along, just be patient and keep checking your search websites twice a day so you'll be first in line when it posts.

 

No aspect ratio designation for the Espada.
So what's new about this?

 

Never mind, apologies for the old material, deleted.