Named after the bull that killed matador Manuel Rodriguez “Manolete” on August 28, 1947, the Lamborghini Islero followed on from the 400 GT as Lamborghini’s latest and greatest grand tourer. The coachwork, courtesy of Carrozzeria Marazzi, deliberately erred on the side of understatement, as Ferruccio wanted his latest creation to be driven by tycoons, not playboys (a jab obviously intended in the direction of Ferrari). Handsome inside and out, and powered by a glorious V12, the Islero was the prime mode of transportation for any discerning Italian gentleman in the 1960s, and after just 125 examples were built, the Islero S was unveiled in 1969.
While the exterior remained largely unchanged, the Islero S boasted improved suspension and a high-compression engine with cams shared with the Miura S. Despite the upgrades, just 100 examples left Sant’Agata, bringing the total Islero production up to a mere 225 cars.
Built in 1969, this example for sale with AD Sportscars was delivered new to Edmondo Lamborghini, Ferruccio’s brother, and straddles the line between Islero and Islero S. Not only was it built on the cusp of the new model’s launch, but because it was intended for Lamborghini VIP ownership, chassis number “6300” was fitted with a special engine that was quite possibly a prototype for that found in the Islero S.
Originally delivered to Edmondo in light bronze with a mustard interior, this multiple concours-award-winning Islero was sourced by Kidston SA in 2017, after which it was refinished in Bottle Green as part of an exhaustive restoration with total costs exceeding 100,000 euros. Still fitted with its original high-compression V12, this Islero represents your chance to own a genuine Lamborghini family car.
