1968 Lamborghini Islero 400 GT

Chassis No. 6012 with Engine No. 1848, this 1968 Lamborghini Islero 400 GT is the fifth of 125 Isleros produced from this rare model’s introduction at the 1968 Geneva Auto Show to the end of production in late 1969.

The final development of the highly successful Touring-styled 350 GT, the Islero’s introduction was somewhat overshadowed by the more visually sensational four-seat Espada unveiled simultaneously at Geneva. Yet the Islero’s tastefully elegant form, created by Touring’s successor, Lombardy coachbuilder Carrozzeria Marazzi, was highly favored by Ferruccio Lamborghini, who reportedly contributed significant input to its design. Indeed, Ferruccio enjoyed the Islero as his daily driver for a considerable time.

Like the 350-400GT series and the Miura, the Islero was powered by the reliable and powerful V-12 designed by Bizzarrini and refined by Giampaolo Dallara. Displacing 4.0 liters, this robust powerplant featured double overhead cams, six twin-choke Weber downdraft carburetors and was rated at 325 HP at 7,000 RPM, producing a wailing exhaust note at speed. The Islero’s underpinnings followed the practice then well established at Lamborghini, incorporating a 5-speed manual transaxle, all-independent wishbone suspension with coil springs and 4-wheel Girling disc brakes.

Understated in appearance, the Islero was deceptively quick, giving up only about 2 seconds to the Miura in accelerating to 100 MPH and demonstrating superb balance and stability all the way up to its top speed of almost 160 MPH. Its magnificent road holding and civilized manners reflected the extensive development invested in its predecessors, drawing wide praise by contemporary reviewers.

As just the fifth produced, this exceptional 1968 Islero has unique features not seen on later examples after production procedures were finalized. Most notable of these are this car’s chromed Borrani wire wheels, which were first seen upon the model’s Geneva introduction and in sales brochures; later models were fitted with cast magnesium wheels by Campagnolo. It is further distinguished by one-off front fender vents almost identical in appearance to those of the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette.

In the early 2010s the car was sent to Italy, where it underwent a painstaking, nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration over a period of several years to better-than-new condition. Applied over meticulously prepared bodywork, No. 6012’s period-correct Bronze Metallic paint is quite simply stunning. The quality of exterior fit and finish is matched inside by the materials and craftsmanship employed in restoring the cleanly designed interior, which features superb hand-stitched black leather upholstery, tan carpets and a tan leather instrument panel incorporating restored Jager gauges. The engine compartment and undercarriage are likewise exquisitely finished to Concours condition. In sum, this magnificent early-production Lamborghini Islero is an unparalleled example of one of Sant’Agata’s finest early grand-touring automobiles.