The Lamborghini Espada S3 is a classic car with sleek and aggressive lines penned by Marcello Gandini. Its wedge-shaped profile, twin-rounded headlights, and iconic rear design have a unique Italian flair. This 2+2 seater offers ample space for passengers and luggage, making it a practical yet head-turning choice for anyone looking for a grand touring lambo. Although its production ceased in 1978, it remains a captivating classic, albeit hard to find. This Lamborghini Espada S3 review will highlight many things concerning this grand tourer of the 70s. Under the hood lies a 3.9L V12 engine, churning out a potent 350 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. This translates to an exciting driving experience, with a claimed top speed of 155 mph. Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, the Espada S3 doesn't hesitate to provide an exciting driving experience. As a classic car, the Espada S3's price varies depending on condition, mileage, and restoration history. Generally, you should expect to pay between $150,000 and $350,000 for a well-maintained example. Let's get into the complete details about the Espada S3, starting with its history.
The Espada S3's story began in 1968 with the Espada 400 GTE. Designed by the legendary Marcello Gandini at Bertone, it sported a distinctive wedge-shaped profile with a powerful 3.9L V12 engine churning out 320 horsepower. The initial model's interior reflected Lamborghini's bare design but lacked some creature comforts. The S3, introduced in 1972, addressed these concerns. While maintaining the iconic exterior, the interior received a significant upgrade, boasting a redesigned instrument panel with improved ergonomics and luxury materials. Power steering and air conditioning became standard, elevating the Espada's appeal to a broader audience seeking luxury alongside performance. Even the steering could tilt. However, you need to yank it up or down to be able to tilt it, as there's no lever for that. Throughout its six-year run, the Espada S3 saw further refinements. In 1975, larger bumpers were added to meet US safety regulations, slightly altering the car's appearance. Additionally, adjustments were made to the engine and carburetors to comply with US emissions standards, resulting in a slight power drop to 325 horsepower. Only 456 units of the Lamborghini Espada S3 were ever produced, solidifying its status as a true collector's item. Despite this limited production run, the S3 enjoyed remarkable success, especially in the US market. Its practicality, performance, and undeniable Italian flair resonated with many buyers.
Performance-wise, the Lamborghini Espada S3 features a magnificent 3.9-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine that propels it forward effortlessly. This iconic engine configuration, shared across the Espada lineup, delivers an exciting driving experience. The S3's V12 engine pumps out 350 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque, enough to move the car from 0-60 mph in around 8 seconds. The ratings for the US-compliant variant of the S3 (which many think is the Series IV, but it wasn't officially named so) had slightly lower horsepower and torque. However, the engine provides relentless pulling power, ensuring smooth and effortless performance across the rev range. The Espada S3 isn't fuel-efficient, so you'll have to accept its 10-15 mpg rating in combined driving conditions. Lamborghini makes up for this with the car's top speed, which peaks at 155 mph. As with any classic car, the reliability of the Espada S3's V12 largely depends on its maintenance history and overall condition. The Espada S3 boasts the highest horsepower in the Espada lineup, as earlier models like the 400 GTE offered a similar engine configuration with slightly less power. The S2 variant maintained the 3.9L V12 but saw a slight increase in power compared to the 400 GTE. In its era, the Espada S3 faced competition from other high-performance grand tourers like the Ferrari Daytona (4.4L V12, 375 hp) and the Maserati Bora (4.7L V8, 310 hp).
The interior of the Lamborghini Espada S3 presents classic Italian luxury and sportiness. The overall quality of the interior materials is excellent, with a focus on genuine leather and wood accents that give the interior a premium feel. The dashboard is crafted from leather and wood, depending on the specific model and owner's preferences. The center console houses the gear shifter, handbrake, and various buttons and switches for controlling the car's functions. It's not as cluttered with modern technology as today's cars. The three-spoke steering wheel provides a comfortable grip and direct feel, essential for navigating the car's spirited performance. The instrument panel houses analog gauges, displaying essential information like speed, RPM, fuel level, and coolant temperature. The gauges themselves look classic and sporty, with clear and easy-to-read markings. Many of the Espada S3's controls are tilted toward the driver, so it suffices to say that it's a driver-focused car. The front bucket seats are upholstered in supple leather, ensuring a supportive and comfortable driving experience. It features side bolsters that snuggle you when you're sitting in them. The rear seats, while smaller, offer space for two passengers, making the Espada S3 a surprisingly practical grand tourer. Due to its lack of modern sound insulation, the Espada S3 can be noisy at higher speeds. The roar of the V12 engine and wind noise are ever-present companions, adding to the car's character. Overall, the Lamborghini Espada S3's interior is refined, maybe not like most modern grand tourers.
The Lamborghini Espada S3's exterior stuns with its iconic Italian design, instantly recognizable decades after its production ended. Every curve and line gives the car a bold and audacious character. The aggressive front features a low nose, dominated by sleek twin headlights. The hexagonal mesh grille, flanked by prominent fog lights integrated into the bumper, finishes the look up front. The Espada S3's side profile showcases its wedge-shaped design. The long, uninterrupted lines flow seamlessly from the front to the rear. The door handles are discreetly integrated into the bodywork, maintaining the design's clean lines. The S3 features stylish alloy wheels in different sizes depending on the specific model and year. Tire sizes typically range from 215/70VR15 on the front to 245/70VR15 on the rear, though wider setups were offered as options. Sleek, aerodynamic mirrors are mounted on the doors, providing good visibility without compromising the car's clean lines. It's important to note that not all Espada S3s had mirrors - mirrors were optional back then. The Espada S3 offers a surprisingly spacious trunk for a grand tourer. The rear glass hatch opens upwards, revealing a compartment deep enough to accommodate luggage for weekend getaways or longer journeys. The Lamborghini Espada S3's exterior remains remarkable and distinctive, and it's hard to find another car with a similar design.
The Lamborghini Espada S3 lacks the plethora of technological features we see in modern cars. Remember, it debuted in 1972 when automotive technology was vastly different. However, it offered specific amenities for its era, including a tilting steering wheel, which you'd have to yank up or down to get in the desired position. It also had power steering, air conditioning, electric windows, a radio, a leather interior, and a three-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission, to mention but a few.
Owning a Lamborghini Espada S3 is a dream for many car enthusiasts, but the price tag reflects its iconic status and limited production. While the exact cost can vary significantly, you should expect to pay between $150,000 and $350,000 for a used Lamborghini Espada S3 in good condition. This price is influenced by factors including the car's overall condition, its history, restoration work, and mechanical soundness. A meticulously maintained and unrestored example will command a premium compared to a car with a checkered past or requiring restoration.
The Lamborghini Espada S3 remains a captivating icon in the automotive landscape, not just for its stunning Italian design and thrilling V12 performance but also for its practicality and grand touring features. If you're considering buying or selling a used Lamborghini Espada S3, head to Exotic Car Trader. At Exotic Car Trader, we understand discerning car enthusiasts' specific needs and expectations. Our easy-to-use online platform simplifies the process, providing a seamless and secure experience. In summary, the Lamborghini Espada S3 will thrill you with its potent V12 engine that offers exciting performance, and you'll also get the attention that comes with owning such a prestigious and rare car. And if you keep it in good condition long enough, you'll reap from that investment as its price increases.
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