Misplaced Pages

#778221

43-508: Meant as a Christmas present for Piere Rivolta's wife Rachelle (LeLe) Rivolta, it was decided to put the car into production to succeed the IR 300. It was first presented to the public at the 1969 New York International Auto Show and was made to compete against the Lamborghini Espada . The car was initially powered by a 300 or 350 hp (224 or 261 kW) General Motors V8 and was available with

86-492: A 1972 road test. Suspension was based on the earlier 400 GT 2+2 design. It was fully independent , with unequal length double wishbones , coil springs , hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bars . Four wheel disc brakes were manufactured by Girling. All calipers had three pistons, with larger calipers used in the front. Solid discs were used at first, with vented discs added for the Series II Espada. The steering box

129-463: A 4-speed manual (later a 5-speed unit from ZF Friedrichshafen ) and a 4-speed automatic transmission sourced from General Motors. In 1972, after about 125 cars had been produced, General Motors demanded that Iso pay in advance for the engines. Iso chose to replace the Chevrolet engine with Ford's Cleveland V8 rated at 325 hp (242 kW). The automatic transmission was also sourced from Ford, while

172-571: A Watts linkage which located the De Dion axle. Koni telescopic shock absorbers and coil springs completed the unit. The Lele came with a ZF power steering which was the same unit used by Maserati and Campagnolo magnesium alloy wheels, wrapped in 215/70 VP15 Michelin XWX tyres. The interior was upholstered in leather and came with creature comforts like air conditioning and electric windows along with plush carpeting. The speedometer and tachometer were placed behind

215-413: A peak torque of 18.2 kilogram metres (132 lb⋅ft) at 4600 rpm. Top speed was estimated at 118 miles per hour (190 km/h). This engine was designed by Giampaolo Dallara and was a split-in-half version of the 4.0L Lamborghini V12 , mated to a 5-speed transaxle . It was equipped with three Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, with air intakes positioned directly behind the rear passengers' heads. The engine

258-458: A public event for the first time at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix when Prince Rainier III , accompanied by his wife, Princess Grace , drove the car on his traditional parade lap before the start of the race. The car made a second public appearance at the 1996 Concorso Italiano in Monterey, California in honor of Carrozzeria Bertone . The Lamborghini Athon was also exhibited at this time. The car

301-686: A square instead of hexagonal mesh. New tail lights were used, sourced from the Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina . A sunroof was now available as an option. The 350 hp (261 kW; 355 PS) engine was carried over from the S2. Power steering by ZF and air conditioning were now standard. Spring and shock absorber tuning was altered slightly. In 1974, a Chrysler Torqueflite 3 speed automatic transmission became available as an option. From 1975, large impact bumpers had to be installed to meet United States safety requirements. US emissions requirements also led to

344-504: A stated 350 hp at 7,500 rpm. The Espada's transmission was mounted longitudinally, inline with the engine. Most Espadas were equipped with a Lamborghini-designed 5-speed manual transmission with hydraulically operated clutch. The internal components of this transmission were identical to those used in the Miura and Islero, with the transmission casing also shared with the Islero but differing from

387-433: A throwaway car. The Marzal remained a one-off, though the general shape and many of the ideas would later be used in the Lamborghini Espada . The Marzal's styling was radical at the time of its introduction, with magazine Road & Track calling it "A Bertone design so fresh that everything else looks old fashioned." It was distinguished by glazed gull-wing doors and a strong hexagonal motif throughout, including in

430-508: Is a concept car , first presented by Lamborghini at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show . Designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone , it was created to supply Ferruccio Lamborghini with a true four-seater car for his lineup which already included the 400GT 2+2 and the Miura . Mr. Lamborghini initially viewed the creation of the Marzal as advertising rather than a production model, stating: The Marzal

473-670: The Lamborghini Marzal and the Bertone Pirana . The Espada was a four-seater GT and was initially sold alongside the Islero and the mid-engine Miura . The Espada and the Islero both replaced the 400 GT 2+2 and had similar mechanical underpinnings, with the Espada a more visually daring alternative to the relatively conservative and discrete Islero. The Spanish name "Espada" ( pronounced [esˈpaða] ) means "sword", referring to

SECTION 10

#1732868960779

516-467: The Espada was rumored to be in the works, but it was right at the time Lamborghini wanted to concentrate on a Diablo successor, so little became of the idea aside from a few drawings. In 2006, Edmunds.com reported that Lamborghini intended to revive the Espada in 2009. Lamborghini presented the 4-seat Estoque concept car at the 2008 Paris Motor Show , however no production model has been forthcoming. Lamborghini Marzal The Lamborghini Marzal

559-585: The Lamborghini factory. The wooden body buck made for the Jaguar Pirana concept car was used in the construction of this prototype. The design was visually in-between the Lamborghini Marzal, Pirana and the production series I Espada. It had the very low nose and gullwing doors of the Marzal, but a front end treatment much closer to the production Espada. An unusual configuration of multiple large side windows

602-515: The Lancomatic suspension was promising but very costly and had significant technical issues, including seal failure due to heat and friction and harsh ride quality. The Lamborghini Faena is a one-off 4-door saloon based on a Series II Espada and built by coachbuilder Pietro Frua . It debuted at the 1978 Turin Motor Show , and was later shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show . The Faena was built on

645-519: The Marzal were all taken from the production Miura. Suspension travel was limited compared to the Miura, due to the design of the bodywork. Bertone designed unique 14 in diameter by 6.5 inch wide magnesium centerlock wheels, made by Campagnolo. These were similar in construction to those used on the Miura and Espada, but were visually unique, with two rows of nearly-hexagonal air ducts. Pirelli Cinturato HS tires in size 205-14 were fitted. In total, 4.5 square metres (48 sq ft) of glass paneling

688-528: The Miura, due to that model's transverse mid-engine layout. From 1974, the Series III Espada could be ordered with a Chrysler Torqueflite 3 speed automatic transmission . This was an unpopular option, as acceleration and top speed were reduced. 55 Espadas were built with this transmission. Following the 1967 debut of the Marzal , a prototype of what would become the Espada was constructed by Bertone and

731-456: The ZF 5-speed transmission. The engine had a compression ratio of 8.6:1, had a bore and stroke of 101.6 x 88.9 mm and had a redline of 5,800 rpm. It was based on two bespoke versions made for Iso-Marlboro Formula One team drivers Howden Ganley and Nanni Galli. The variant featured removal of sound deadening components, a new dashboard and engine modifications. The angular Gandini styled body and

774-411: The chassis of a 1974 Espada Series II (number 8224). Following this conversion, the chassis was renumbered to 18224. The Faena was constructed over a period of eight months. The chassis was reinforced and the wheelbase extended by 18 centimetres (7.1 in) to accommodate rear doors. As a result, it was significantly heavier than an Espada, weighing almost 2,000 kilograms (4,400 lb). The interior

817-672: The comfortable nature of the car did little to help sales and only 285 cars were made. About 160 Ford-engined Leles had been built by the time production wound up in 1974 due to Iso's bankruptcy. Following the agreement with Philip Morris that led to the creation of the Iso-Marlboro brand in Formula 1 , Philip Morris commissioned Iso to construct two specially modified Leles for their Formula 1 Team Drivers. Modified by Bizzarrini these two cars were stripped of creature comforts to reduce weight. The cars had subtle differences from each other and no car

860-423: The creature comforts removed from the original Marlboro cars. A breakup of total production of 285 units is as follows: Lamborghini Espada The Lamborghini Espada is a 4-seat grand touring coupé built by Italian car manufacturer Lamborghini between 1968 and 1978. The car was designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone . Gandini drew inspiration and cues from two of his Bertone show cars from 1967,

903-458: The expansion of Countach production in the mid-1980s. The Espada was launched at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show , alongside the Islero. The Espada was equipped with a 3,929 cc (240 cu in) Lamborghini V12 engine derived from that used in the 400 GT 2+2, rated at 325 hp (242 kW; 330 PS) in the series I cars. The design of the series I dashboard was inspired by the Marzal concept car, and featured octagonal housings for

SECTION 20

#1732868960779

946-416: The factory adding a secondary air injection pump and special tuning of carburetors and the ignition system. Some people consider these later US-spec cars as a separate fourth series, but Lamborghini did not officially change the model designation. The Espada used a semi-monocoque unibody , constructed of pressed sheet steel and square section steel tubing. The hood was constructed of aluminum. This chassis

989-461: The louvered rear window, interior trim and unique Campagnolo magnesium wheels. Other innovative styling elements included silver interior upholstery and 6 narrow S.E.V. Marchal headlamps in the thin, wedge-shaped nose. Several companies made die-cast models based on the Marzal, including Dinky Toys and Matchbox . Many were in other colours such as orange , despite the original show car being painted silver. The Marzal appeared in action at

1032-455: The main instruments, topped by an additional binnacle for the secondary gauges. The alloy wheels were made by Campagnolo on knock-off hubs , of the same design seen on the Miura. The tail lights were the same units mounted on the first series Fiat 124 Sport Coupé . 186 were made before January 1970. At the 1970 Brussels Motor Show Lamborghini unveiled the Espada S2. Outside the only change

1075-491: The manual transmission remained unchanged. The chassis was the same Bizzarrini designed unit which had found use in Iso automobiles since the IR 300. It had an unequal-length double-wishbones front suspension with coil springs while the rear suspension consisted of a de Dion layout with a Salisbury axle unit. Disc brakes were used on all four wheels and were mounted inboard on the chassis. The rear suspension had dual trailing arms and

1118-530: The mass produced variant. The Espada S3 was launched in 1972. With this revision, the interior now incorporated a redesigned aluminum-trimmed instrument panel that kept all instruments and most controls (including the radio) within easy reach of the driver. Several exterior changes were also made. Newly designed wheels on five-stud hubs replaced the earlier knock-off wheels. These wheels were also used on some late S2 Espadas. They were fitted with wider Pirelli Cinturato 215/70WR15 CN12 tyres. The front grille now had

1161-542: The remaining non-glazed bodywork constructed from steel. Gross weight was 2,690 pounds (1,220 kg). When visiting Bertone in the spring of 1967, journalist L.J.K. Setright observed that "five large blocks of metal and a moderately small anvil" had been placed in the front compartment of the Marzal in order to level the ride height from front to back. Overall length was 4,450 millimetres (175 in), width 1,700 millimetres (67 in) and height 1,100 millimetres (43 in). The suspension, steering and brakes used in

1204-439: The series II/II engines. Six Weber 40DCOE side-draft carburetors were equipped, along with a single distributor for ignition. Wet sump lubrication was used, with an oil capacity of 14 litres (3.7 US gal). The weight of the engine alone was 232 kilograms (511 lb), or 293 kilograms (646 lb) including the transmission. Power output of series I cars was stated as 325 hp at 7,200 rpm, while Series II/III cars produced

1247-525: The steering column while an additional four gauges were present on the centre console which consisted of an ammeter, fuel gauge and water and oil temperature gauges. The car came with a hidden headlamp styling with popup covers partially covering the quad headlamp units when not in use. In 1973, the standard version (now known as Lele IR6) was joined by the Lele IR6 Sport, with an engine modified to generate 360 hp (268 kW) and only available mated to

1290-522: The sword that the torero uses to kill the bull. During its ten years in production the car underwent some changes, and three different series were produced. These were the S1 (1968–1970), the S2 (1970–1972) and the S3 (1972–1978). Each model featured interior redesigns, minor mechanical improvements and minor exterior changes. 1,217 Espadas were made, making it the most numerous and longest-running Lamborghini model until

1333-405: Was a new design manufactured by Marchesi of Modena, the firm that also constructed Miura and Islero chassis. Bare chassis were shipped from Marchesi to Bertone, where bodywork, paint and trim were added prior to final assembly at the Lamborghini factory. The steel chassis and bodywork suffered from rust issues, with journalist Denis Jenkinson observing visible rust on a car with 10,000 miles during

Iso Lele - Misplaced Pages Continue

1376-609: Was a worm-and-peg type manufactured by ZF and mounted at the top front of the chassis, with a very long steering column. Power steering would be offered on the Series III Espadas. Series I and II Espadas were originally fitted with Pirelli Cinturato 205VR15 tyres (CN72), while Series II cars used 215/70VR15 Cinturato CN12 tyres. Twin fuel tanks held 93 L (25 US gal) of gasoline. Two fuel fillers were hidden behind black cosmetic grilles in both C-pillars . The 3,929 cc (240 cu in) Lamborghini V12 engine

1419-522: Was designed, possibly to improve rear 3/4 vision. The engine, transmission and rear differential were all 400 GT units. This car was completed and driven by Lamborghini test drivers, but was subsequently stored uncovered in a field behind the Lamborghini factory. It is now in the collection of the Museo Ferruccio Lamborghini . One Espada was fitted with a prototype hydropneumatic self-levelling rear suspension called "Lancomatic". This car

1462-491: Was driven by Prince Albert II during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Historic Grand Prix of Monaco . The Marzal was located for a long time in the Bertone Design Study Museum. It sold at RM Sotheby's Villa d'Este auction on 21 May 2011 for 1,512,000 Euros including buyer's premium. The Marzal was powered by a 2.0 L inline-six engine , which produced a claimed 175 bhp (130 kW) at 6800 rpm and

1505-514: Was identical. The cars, which were made for drivers Howden Ganley and Nanni Galli , had a unique dash layout that did not appear on any other Lele. Bizzarrini then modified the 351 Cobra Jet engine which was now rated at 360 hp (268 kW). Painted in Marlboro Red with Marlboro badges on the front fenders Ganley's car debuted on the Iso Rivolta stand at the 1973 Geneva Auto Show. Galli's car

1548-437: Was improved. Power output increased to 350 hp (261 kW; 355 PS) due to a higher 10.7:1 compression ratio. The brakes were upgraded to vented Girling discs instead of solid discs. CV joints were now used on the rear half-shafts. As on the series I, 205VR15 Pirelli Cinturato CN72 tyres were fitted, suiting the cars handling until power steering was offered as an option. 575 Series II Espadas were made, making it

1591-504: Was luxuriously finished in white leather and the new bodywork incorporated taillights from a Citroen SM . After being exhibited at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show, the Faena was sold by Lamborghini dealer Lambo-Motor AG in Basel . It is currently owned by a Swiss collector. The name Faena (literally, "job" or "chore") refers to the final stage of a Spanish-style bullfight . In 1999, a new version of

1634-404: Was mounted transversely in the rear of the car, fully behind the rear axle. The transaxle was from a Miura, with a higher final drive ratio of 5.30 to improve acceleration. The Marzal chassis was based on the production Miura chassis, extended by 120 millimetres (4.7 in) and stiffened. The resulting wheelbase was 2,620 millimetres (103 in). The front hood was made from aluminum with

1677-407: Was not developed as a production car. If you present a car like the Marzal at automobile shows such as Geneva, Turin, and Frankfurt all the magazines report on the first page about it. You would rather spend 100 million lire for building such an automobile which is still less expensive than paying for all the advertising. That would cost almost a billion lire. So it compensates in any case to build such

1720-581: Was painted in white. The exterior styling cues from these two cars were used to develop the Lele Sport which also had a modified version of their dash layout. Philip Morris also commissioned at least two more cars for promotional purposes to resemble the Marlboro cars given to its drivers, called the Marlboro Replicas. These cars were essentially Lele Sports with Marlboro badges on the fenders. They also retained

1763-543: Was shown at the 1968 Turin Auto Show, but remained a one-off experiment and did not enter production. The suspension system was developed in collaboration with Langen, a German company owned by the suspension component manufacturer Ehrenreich. This system was possibly developed in order to compete with the Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 , which was also equipped with self-leveling rear suspension. According to Lamborghini test driver Bob Wallace ,

Iso Lele - Misplaced Pages Continue

1806-411: Was the deletion of the grille covering the vertical glass tail panel. Inside changes were more radical: all-new dashboard, centre console and steering wheel were installed. The instrument binnacle was of a more conventional rectangular shape, with round gauges. A wood-trimmed fascia extended along the entire width of the dashboard. The center armrest was also revised and ventilation for rear seat passengers

1849-425: Was virtually unchanged from the engine used in the 400 GT 2+2. This engine, based on Giotto Bizzarrini 's original design for Lamborghini, had an aluminum alloy crankcase with cast-iron cylinder liners, aluminum pistons, 24 valves (two per cylinder) and two chain-driven overhead camshafts per bank. Cylinder bore was 82 mm and stroke was 62 mm. Compression ratio on series I engines was 9.5:1, which increased to 10.7:1 in

#778221