The Espada occupies a singular place in Sant'Agata's history: a genuine four-seat grand tourer from a manufacturer better known for two-seat supercars, it outsold the Miura and every other Lamborghini of its generation. The Series II, introduced in 1970 with a revised dashboard, improved ventilation and optional power steering, represented the model at its most refined. KK Scale's 1:18 die-cast captures that specific variant — one rarely visited by scale model producers at this size.
Lamborghini's Forgotten Best-Seller: the Espada V12 GT
Beneath the low, wide Bertone body sits a 3.9-litre Lamborghini V12 fed by six Weber 40 DCOE carburettors, producing approximately 325–350 hp. The engine is mounted longitudinally at the front — a layout that allowed Gandini to keep the roofline low while preserving genuine rear seat room for adult passengers. That combination of supercar mechanicals and four-seat practicality was unique in the exotic car market of the late 1960s and 1970s.
Bertone, Gandini and a GT for Heads of State
Marcello Gandini styled the Espada for Bertone, and it debuted at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show — the same design house and designer responsible for the Miura and, later, the Countach. The clientele matched the ambition: among the Espada's owners were the Shah of Iran and King Juan Carlos I of Spain. The Series II ran from 1970 to 1972, with approximately 575 units produced, identifiable by its redesigned instrument cluster and interior trim. Across all three series, total production reached 1,217 cars — making the Espada Lamborghini's best-selling model between 1968 and 1978.
The KK Scale 1:18 Scale Model Car
KK Scale is a European die-cast manufacturer focused on 1:18 road car reproductions, known for delivering accurate bodywork at an accessible price point. This release presents the Espada Series II in Rosso — a factory-period colour wholly appropriate for an Italian V12 GT of the early 1970s. The die-cast metal construction gives the model solid presence on the shelf. The Series II Espada at 1:18 is a genuine gap in most collections: few producers have tackled this generation, making the KK Scale release the practical choice for collectors covering the Lamborghini road car lineage.
In the Display Cabinet
The Espada Series II pairs naturally with other Bertone-bodied Lamborghinis of the period — a Miura P400 S or an early Countach LP400 — but it also works as a centrepiece alongside Italian GT contemporaries such as a Maserati Indy or Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2. For collectors building a Gandini or Bertone design theme, this model bridges the 1968 Geneva show debut through to the early-1970s golden era of Italian coachbuilding. It also stands alone as a conversation piece: the car that proved Lamborghini could sell practicality without sacrificing drama.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Lamborghini Espada Series II?
The Espada Series II was produced from 1970 to 1972 and introduced a revised dashboard, improved ventilation and optional power steering over the original 1968 car. Approximately 575 units were built in this second series, out of 1,217 Espadas produced across all three generations.
What engine does the Espada use?
A 3.9-litre (3929 cc) Lamborghini V12 with four camshafts and six Weber 40 DCOE carburettors, producing approximately 325–350 hp, mounted longitudinally at the front.
Who designed the Espada?
Marcello Gandini at Bertone. The car debuted at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show and shares its design lineage with the Miura and the later Countach.
Why is this KK Scale model significant for collectors?
The Espada Series II (1970–1972) is rarely produced at 1:18 scale. KK Scale's die-cast release fills a genuine gap in Lamborghini road car coverage at this scale.
