A car which he has owned for over thirty years, and to which he has given a mechanical rebuild as well as a full cosmetic restoration?

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Why, it was his 1969 Lamborghini Espada, the company’s supercar bestseller from 1968 to 1978, a car that Jay decrees is ‘like an Italian Rolls Royce.’

‘Looks like a snake going down the road,’ says Jay Leno, comparing its size to those of modern SUVs. ‘It still has a lot of the classic lines of 1960s Italian sports-cars.’ And, as the television hero emphasizes, Espadas are only appreciating in value.

Right now at Beverly Hills Car Club we have one of these masterpieces, a 1974 Lamborghini Espada that is finished with a red exterior complemented by a tan interior. This particular Espada is a Series III model, one of fewer than 500 examples ever built, making it a highly sought-after collector’s item. The Series III variant of the Espada is known for its refined design and improved performance, making it a standout among enthusiasts and collectors alike.

It is a California car, emphasizing how it has rarely ever faced any inclement weather.

Featured amenities include bucket seats with headrests, center console, glove compartment, Yamaha radio, vent windows, analog clock, and sun visors with vanity mirrors.


Every curve and contour of this beauty has been meticulously crafted, showcasing Lamborghini’s unparalleled attention to detail and perfectly accentuating the car’s aggressive lines and muscular stance. While this Series III Espada has just come out of storage and is currently not running, it presents a unique opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors alike. With some recommissioning work and care, this classic beauty can be brought back to its former glory, ready to hit the open road once again.

During its 10 years in production the Espada underwent vaarious changes, and three different series were produced. These were the S1 (1968–1970), S2 (1970–1972) and S3 (1972–1978), the variant we presently have at Beverly Hills Car Club. Each model featured interior redesigns, minor mechanical improvements and minor exterior changes. In total, 1,217 Espadas were made, making it the most numerous and longest-running Lamborghini model of its time.

The Lamborghini Espada was designed by Marcello Gandini at Gruppo Bertone, the Turin-based car design firm that he had joined in 1965. Gandini passed away earlier this year. On learning of his death, Bertone posted a fulsome tribute on its Instagram page: ‘Gandini was not just a designer; he was a visionary, whose skill and creativity redefined the aesthetic standards of sports and luxury cars, influencing generations of designers and enthusiasts.’

The starting point for all his designs, said Gandini, was purpose. Each suited a need. But prototypes, or concept cars, were his favorites. They gave Gandini the opportunity to create entirely new automotive forms. ‘When we are talking about a prototype,’ he told CNN in 2019, ‘The most important thing is to create a sensation. As much sensation as possible.’

Also known as the Jaguar Pirana, this was a concept car created for the 1967 London Motor Show. Designed by Gandini, it was a sleek GT model based on the chassis and powertrain of the 4.2 liter Jaguar E-type, with a unique steel semi-monocoque body and luxurious interior. Unusually for a show car, the Pirana had been commissioned by The Daily Telegraph, one of Britain’s leading newspapers, as an example of an ‘ideal car.’ The Espada was introduced in 1968, one year after the Pirana. The wooden body buck built for the Pirana was used in the construction of an early Espada prototype.

But the only things wooden about the finished Lamborghini Espada are its beautiful three-pronged wooden steering-wheel and manly wooden gear-shift lever. This is an Italian luxury-car, a true grand touring car, one that through its four exhaust pipes (‘It doesn’t get more Italian than that,’ says Jay Leno) makes a glorious noise and is a such a relaxing and communicative car to drive.

The Lamborghini Espada: a truly wonderful car.

-Alex Manos, Owner