Espada

[notfarnow]

I never though much of them when I saw them in magazines or online. A couple years ago when I was in Montreal's little italy for the Montreal GP, I saw one up close. Wow, they are stunning when you see them in person. So low to the ground, but so long, and a surprising amount of room inside.

Now I obsess over them. I think they are a 70's icon and a true bargain of the supercar world. You can buy a really outstanding one for under 40k, and a decent well-maintained "driver" for 25k.

Anyway, just noticed 3 of them on ebay right now. You don't see that very often.

Lamborghini : eBay Motors (item 250563664469 end time Jan-24-10 13:14:32 PST)

Lamborghini : eBay Motors (item 170431161675 end time Jan-21-10 12:11:08 PST)

Lamborghini : Espada : eBay Motors (item 220541562285 end time Jan-23-10 10:45:05 PST)


Anyone else have a crush on these things?

[notfarnow]

Here's a video on Jay Leno's site. He's had this '69 for decades:

1969 Lamborghini Espada - Video - Jay Leno's Garage

[masraum]

I suspect that pretty much any Lambo or Ferrari is going to have quite a bit of charisma. Seeing one in person might change my mind, but in photos, it's a bit too 70's for me. I saw a Ferrari 365GTC/4 on the highway here in Houston once. Apparently there were only 505 made, so it's not as cheap as the Espada. The sound of that Ferrari was amazing. It vibrated the floor of my 911 so I could feel it through my shoes.

[Mrmerlin]

I`ll take the copper one.

[porsche4life]

Jake buddy I think you need to have your head examined... I mean they don't look that great... and how good can they really be to drive... I'd imagine a modern base corvette would SLAY it.... Not that the corvette is that great.... Just that '70s "supercars" were a lot of smoke and mirrors mystique.....


Now if it looked as good as say a .... Miura... Well that would be understandable...

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Jake buddy I think you need to have your head examined... I mean they don't look that great... and how good can they really be to drive... I'd imagine a modern base corvette would SLAY it.... Not that the corvette is that great.... Just that '70s "supercars" were a lot of smoke and mirrors mystique.....

Meh. For me, "better" is not defined by which car is faster. Cripes, you can buy a friggin Hyundai that will SLAY a 70's or 80's 911.

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Now if it looked as good as say a .... Miura... Well that would be understandable.

I love the Miura, but I don't know if I'd be able to actually drive one, let alone afford one. But an Espada appeals to me as an attainable supercar that a fellah could actually USE. A 2+2 v12 GT for ~30k? I'd drive that to work, after dropping kids off to school, in the rain even. Who's going to do that in a Miura? Or even a Ferrari 365. Maybe a Ferrari Mondial though, for +- the same price, but less 70's ultra-cool mystique.

[porsche4life]

Ya but what do parts cost?

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Ya but what do parts cost?

Good point. Another reason a Hyndai Tiburon is better than a 911 SC, right?

[porsche4life]

Not necessarily... But the thing with Lamborghini is they are exponentially higher than even Porsche parts...

[legion]

Sorry, they look okay in a dated way from the front, but look like an Italian station wagon from the side.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by legion

Sorry, they look okay in a dated way from the front, but look like an Italian station wagon from the side.

That's what I used to think, before I saw one in person. They are so damn low, you are pretty much looking down at it.

For me, it's the idea of owning an italian v12 supercar/GT for Honda Accord prices. Ferrari 400 appeals in the same way. Not the prettiest car, but David E Davis was right when he said every car nut should own a v12 at some point. Preferably a 5 speed

[Embraer]

Saw one up at the Kruse auction in Auburn a few years ago. They ARE way cooler in person. For that kind of money, I'd buy one, with the understanding that most cars are faster.

Heck, the Countach did 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, while a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 will do it in 5.8 seconds.

[audiman08]

They are on the affordable side of the Italian exotics, but then I'm reminded of Top Gear's "Budget Supercar Challenge" (although I think they budgeted even less than you). Anyway, I think the Espadas are beautiful in an unusual way. I also like the Maserati Boras (which are in about the same price range). I'd say as long as you budget for uber-pricey repairs, an Espada would be a lot of fun.

[imcarthur]

Theres is a 43 page thread on Espadas on Fchat in their Lambo chat area.

LamborghiniChat

You have to register to see the pretty pictures.

Ian

[jyl]

I think that is pretty glam-retro cool, myself. I might prefer something like a Citroen SM but they look sort of similar anyway. As for the practicality of owning either one - you weren't asking about that.

[WIL84911]

I used to love hearing the V12 rev years ago when I pumped gas for an Italian. His was green and also a black Jalpa. I wouldn't mind having one.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Great taste Jake! go for the tobacco metallic one. Your kid deserves a cool(er) dad.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I've been lusting after this for awhile now.

1985 Maserati BiTurbo

not sure why, just seems like it has great presence and would be fun to drive. always comes up on my Porsche searching.

[imcarthur]

I strongly suspect that the ownership of any 12 cyl Italian car would be a love/hate relationship. Especially if you are coming in at the lower end of the market.

Ian

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

I strongly suspect that the ownership of any 12 cyl Italian car would be a love/hate relationship. Especially if you are coming in at the lower end of the market.

Ian

I view them the same way I now look at VWs... Great... When they are under warranty....