Lamborghini Islero Classic Cars for Sale

The Lamborghini Islero sports car was manufactured by Italian company Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini S.p.A.L between 1968 and 1969 as a replacement for their Lamborghini 400 GT. With a 4 litre V12 engine, the 2+2 Coupé enjoyed only a brief production run of 225 units, before the company moved on to manufacture the Lamborghini Jarama.

1968: The Islero arrives

After its formation in 1963 by manufacturing magnate Ferrucio Lamborghini, Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini S.p.A. enjoyed a period of rapid success with its distinctive sports cars designed to compete with Ferrari. At the 1968 Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini released their new sports car the Lamborghini Islero. Using the Lamborghini 400 GT for its design base, aside from a body remodel, alterations were made to the tubular steel frame, thus allowing for wider tyres to be fitted. Pirelli Cinturato 205VR15 tyres were added by the factory. Other improvements included better visibility, more interior room and more efficient soundproofing than the earlier 400 GT.

With 325 BHP at its disposal the Lamborghini Islero was no slouch. It had a 0-60 mph time of 6.4 seconds and boasted a top speed of 154 mph. There were some quality issues noted with some of the riveted aluminium body panels not fitting together properly, despite the cars steep price tag, but the 2+2 Coupé enjoyed modest sales. Only one hundred and twenty-five original Islero’s were produced before Lamborghini released an updated Islero, the Lamborghini Islero S in 1969.

Featuring the same V12 engine but tuned to produce an extra 25 BHP, the Islero S showed a top speed improvement of 7 mph, and better acceleration figures, shaving off 0.2 seconds from the Islero's 0-60 mph performance. Larger disc brakes were fitted and the rear suspension was revised. There were some notable body work changes too, including an enlarged hood scoop to feed air into the interior of the car, and flared fenders with added bright work. The tear drop shaped side marker lights of the original model were replaced by round ones, and the door windows gained a fixed section. The dashboard and interior also enjoyed a redesign. Lamborghini went on to produce one hundred units of the Islero S, before production ended.

The Lamborghini emblem and early car model nomenclature

The Lamborghini car emblem is a gold bordered black shield, featuring a gold coloured charging bull and gold ‘Lamborghini’ text above it above the bull. The company adopted a bull fighting theme for a number of its cars. The Lamborghini Islero was named after a bull that in 1947 killed Matador Manuel Rodriguez, Manolete, who some consider to be the best bull fighter ever.