1974 Lamborghini Espada #9548
SPECIFICATIONS
- Year1974
- MakeLamborghini
- ModelEspada
- Serial Number9548
We are pleased to offer 1974 Lamborghini Espada, a Series III model which could use a sympathetic restoration. The Espada
was first unveiled at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show featuring Bertone bodywork styled by Marcello Gandini and was
produced in three series over the subsequent decade. The initial and very striking design features include a transparent
vertical rear panel, a glass rear hatch with an electric defroster, roof vents, and an aluminum hood panel incorporating twin
NACA ducts and dual side fender vents.
As a Series III car, the interior features a redesigned aluminum-trimmed instrument panel that kept all instruments and most
controls (including the radio) within easy reach of the driver. Series III changes included the option of a Factory installed
sunroof (fitted to this car) newly designed wheels on five-stud hubs replaced the earlier knock-off wheels and the tail lights
came from an Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina. From 1974 large rubber impact bumpers had to be installed to meet United States
DOT safety requirements, they can be removed for a much cleaner look.
This 1974 Lamborghini Espada s/n 9548 with engine # 41381 is production number 1072, one of 472 Series III examples built
between 1972 and 1978 and is one of 55 or so Espada’s equipped from new from the factory with a Chrysler TorqueFlite three-
speed automatic transmission. This example of the final series Espada was completed at the Sant’Agata, Bolognese based
Lamborghini plant on October 14, 1974, and benefits from the refinements carried out throughout the production run
including a 350 hp V12 with six side-draft Weber carbs, power steering, air conditioning, ventilated Girling disc brakes, 15″
Campagnolo alloy wheels and power windows. Originally finished in a rich Luci del Bosco (Brown metallic) over a Senape
(light tan) leather interior, it was built to American spec and delivered new to the California distributor on June 10, 1975.
Espada s/n 9548 moved to the Houston area in the 1990s and at some point this Lambo was painted in its current burgundy
color scheme while the original interior appears to have been retain. In June of 2007 Espada s/n 9548 was as one of several
hundred cars sold to His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohamed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, PO Box 1172 Safat, 13012, Kuwait and put
into long term storage in Kuwait before coming back to the US in 2022.
In 2022 a new fuel pump was installed and the carburetors were rebuilt but upon running it was determined there was a
head gasket leak and so work was stopped. In the last month Ferraris Online installed a loaner battery, drained the old gas,
replaced a fuel line, replaced the fuel filter in the engine bay and she fired right up.
Ready for recommissioning, the Bertone-designed Espada offers its next owner the driving experience of the power of a
350 hp V-12 with room for four. The interior is rough but all there with an intact wood dash, full gauges and instruments,
seats and door panels. There is a dent in the front of the hood and the brakes are best descried as “soft”. The drilled-spoke
steering wheel fronts Jaeger instrumentation including a 180-mph speedometer, a 9k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Chrysler TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission. The five-digit odometer
shows only 23,557 miles. Espada s/n 9548 comes with a very rare Espada owner’s manual, what we believe is the original
AM/FM Kenwood Stereo Cassette radio and the original jack, lug nut wrench and jack handle. Espada s/n 9548 is a great
project.
