Islero 400 GT
The Lamborghini 400 GT was a successful and popular vehicle back in 1967, but Ferruccio decided to build a new body on its framework. At the time the Carrozzeria Touring was falling into great financial problems, and since they also built the 400 GT body, this decision came right in the nick of time.
The Islero 400 GT was first presented to everyone at the 1968 Geneva Auto Show, right next to the brand new Espada, the 400 GT’s looks were different in every way, now with hidden headlamps and square-cut contours. For the restyling of the Islero, Ferruccio Lamborghini contracted Mario Marazzi, a former Touring employee who had started his own coachbuilding company, he also got to built the Islero bodywork.
The Islero was a clean and wonderful car to look at, but unfortunately many people beleived that it lacked the personality of the 400 GT, and it paled next to the sensational Miura and the big Espada. Inside, air-conditioning was standard now, together with more head and legroom, it also featured a new dashboard design.
The Islero, like its successor the Jarama, are rather less well known Lamborghini’s, and only 125 were built, which is a pity, because the Islero had a towering top speed and driving it was very easy, but it only lasted one year, an improved ‘S’ model took over in 1969, but was also dropped after only one year, to be succeeded by the Jarama.