A Cult Status, The Lamborghini Espada 400 GT, A Legendary V12 Grand Tourer

In spirit of Lamborghini’s V12 celebration this year, meet the legendary Espada 400 GT, the house of Sant’Agata Bolognese’s first four-seater and biggest selling model for years.

Encapsulating an exceptional approach to technical innovation, courtesy the front-mounted 4-litre Lamborghini V12 engine it was always an extremely fast grand tourer despite the step up in size.

Espada 400 GT - Fastest, Most Luxurious And Comfortable Grand Tourer

Ever since the start of his venture into automobile manufacturing, company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini stated his objective very clearly. 

He wanted to make the best grand tourer around, a sports car that was not only fast but also comfortable and luxuriously finished. 

Presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1968, the Espada 400 GT perfectly embodied this idea for over a decade. 

It could comfortably seat four adults and had more space for both luggage and passengers than its predecessor, the 400 GT 2+2 and the Islero 400 GT 2+2. 

Besides that, the Espada featured truly outstanding finishing, with generous amounts of leather and other refined materials, as well as the option of fitting air conditioning. 

Power steering was introduced as an option in 1969 and it was included as standard from 1972 onwards. A version with automatic transmission was available from 1974.

Espada 400 GT - Transitioning The V12 Engine To 4-Litres

The technical cornerstone of the Espada was the 60-degree V12 engine that was first produced in 1963 with a displacement of 3.5-litres, which had been increased to 4-litres in 1964. 

A remarkable example, it packed 325 hp at 7,200 rpm when first fitted in the Espada. Then, increased to 350 hp at 7,500 rpm in the Espada Series II that was presented in 1970.

Fed by six Weber 40 DCOE side-draft carburettors, the V12 had a compression ratio of 9.5:1, which increased to 10.7:1 from the Series II onwards and two chain-driven overhead camshafts per bank. 

Notably, it weighed just 232 kg thanks to substantial use of aluminium to make not only the cylinder head, but also the crankcase and the pistons.

Front-mounted, it came in a position that was slightly further forward compared to the previous Lamborghini 350/400 GT engines, in order to make the interior roomier. 

As for the chassis, it was based on the 400 GT, but was lengthened so that the wheelbase reached 2,650 mm, and was also widened with the wheel track increasing to 59-inches. 

Other than that, the chassis was also installed with four-wheel independent suspension that had double wishbones and coil springs. 

Then, in November 1968, an Espada ‘Lancomat’ with hydropneumatics suspension went on display at the Turin Motor Show. It was made available on demand, but was chosen by very few owners.

Keeping up with the sportier Miura in most conditions, the Espada was an extremely fast grand tourer that was capable of reaching a top speed of between 245 and 260 km/h.

Espada 400 GT - The Commercial Success

First unveiled, the Espada was the fastest four-seater in the world. Sporting boxy shapes as part of an innovative design by Carrozzeria Bertone, it proved to be a long-lasting commercial success. 

Versatile with roomy interiors, despite its height of just 1,190 mm, it was suitable for much more frequent use, thus significantly expanding the customer base. 

Only a total of 1,226 cars were produced across the three series. 176 of the Espada 400 GT Series 1 between 1968 and 1969. 

578 of the Espada 400 GTE Series II between 1970 and 1972, and 472 of the Espada 400 GTS Series III between 1972 and 1978. 

Espada 400 GT - The Espada VIP Special Series

Debuted in 1971, the Espada VIP was based on the Espada 400 GTE Series II and just 12 of the vehicles were made. 

Initially, the first models in this special series came in a special orange hue, and had orange and black leather upholstery, while later vehicles were made in other colour combinations. 

Inside, the Espada VIP had a mini-bar and a refrigerator in the rear side panels and a Brionvega Algol 11 television on top of the transmission tunnel in the rear seats. 

Outstandingly, the VIP special series is one of Lamborghini’s most sought-after models among Espada collectors today.

Espada 400 GT - The Celebrity Status

One of the most famous Espada owners is Sir Paul McCartney. He owned a right-hand-drive 1972 Espada Series III that came with a manual transmission, red paintwork and red leather interior.

Second example, the American television host, Jay Leno, who has always been a major car enthusiast. He owned one of the very first Espada Series 2, which was made in 1969.

Third, EVO magazine founder, Harry Metcalfe, who had a right-hand-drive 1970 Series II Espada. He took part with it in Lamborghini’s Espada and Islero 50th Anniversary initiative in 2018.

Last but not least, the Espada was also featured in numerous films, namely around 50 significant titles. The most famous among fans of the model is the 1973 Italian movie ‘Flatfoot’.