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This car has a very different looking center console and dash to the one in the for sale other cars section. What's the story on the evolution of the interiors of these cars?
There are two main types of interiors and a third prototype. The first as shown above was used in combination with the GM 350 engines. Later Iso in combination with it's Ford formula one entry then switched to the Ford 351 Cleveland as the power plant. Two lightweight Lele's were built for the formula one drivers called Marlboro's , these cars had a sportier interior and it was that interior design that was carried on throughout the end of the build. After the Ford cars were available you could buy them in a standard Lusso or a sport model that was 300 lbs lighter, they had bucket seats the later sport dash and a air dam.
OK. I prefer the early dash and that one looks like someone lavished plenty of care upon it too. I've seen Joe C's Marlboro car and that interior. The "sporty" look as in naugahyde wasn't as nice "to me" as the leather interiors are.
Not entirely accurate. The two Marlboro cars (#184 & 185) have a different dash layout then the later Lusso and Sport Leles. The dash on the later Lusso and Sport Leles did take inspiration from the Marlboro cars but they had much thicker padding (including the seats) and sound deadening. The dash layout in the two Marlboro cars were designed for use by a F1 drivers. The others were designed for use by the general public. Look at the placement of the secondary gauges, the radio even the ashtray. The Marlboro cars did not have Power steering while the general public cars did.
How I love rare birds like the Lele. And yours looks exceptional. Really beautiful but in a special way. I was looking at a silver example in Sweden, some 25 years ago, but had trouble accepting the brown cloth interior. I wanted leather of course. Same story with a silver Longchamp back in the days. Also came with cloth interior. Both cars came really cheap.
1978, Birmingham England. This RHD Lele was taking part in a classic car parade - in typically rainy weather. John www.stradabiz.com Image Unavailable, Please Login