Fantasy Junction

Description

1968 Lamborghini Islero
s/n 6198
Yellow with Tan Interior

By the late 1960s, Lamborghini’s 400GT 2+2 was looking a bit old fashioned, especially compared to the stunning Miura, and Carrozzeria Touring, who built the bodies of the 400GT 2+2, was in the midst of declaring bankruptcy. Thus, the car’s replacement, the Islero, was introduced for the 1968 model year. Featuring an elegant, restrained, and much more modern aesthetic, the car looked more contemporary and retained the sophisticated mechanicals of its processor, including wonderful quad cam V12, 5-speed gearbox, and fully independent suspension. The car was 4.5 inches shorter and 65kg (143 pounds) lighter, meaning that performance was improved over the earlier car. The Islero’s understated appearance meant that they were overlooked by most of the customers with large egos who bought the more exotic offerings from Sant’Agata, including even the outlandish Espada, but the Islero represented a sophisticated gentleman’s express and it is no surprise that Ferruccio Lamborghini drove one. Just 225 examples were built, of which 125 were early cars such as this one, making them exceptionally rare. They are genuinely good cars to drive as well, and have been rapidly increasing in value as collectors start to pick up on their combination of thoroughbred Italian mechanicals, rarity, and restrained elegance.

This particular car has been in the United States for most if not all of its life. Early in its life, it belonged to Rob Fair of Michigan, who took it with him to San Diego, California when he was transferred there with Nissan. At some point relatively early in the car’s life, a pair of cooling vents were added to the front fenders behind the front wheels to aid with engine compartment cooling. The car was featured in a number of books, including Rob de La Rive Box’s Illustrated Lamborghini Buyer’s guide (1983), The Complete Book o f Lamborghini, Lambirghini-Supercar Supreme, and the Coffee Table Book Lamborghini, and the Automobile Quarterly Lamborghini poster.

Fair sold the car to Chuck Vandenburg of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who redid the yellow paint, and the car won Lamborghini First Place award at the Italian Happening in Detroit in 1978. Twenty years later, still with the same owner, the car won again in 1998 and the event continues on today. In approximately 2000, he sold the car to a new owner in Minnesota. The car found its way to Arizona by 2007, and was in Southern California by 2013, when it received extensive work by Rod Drew of FAI (Francorchamps of America, Inc.).

The restorative work totaled $110,116.49, and included significant work to the engine, transmission, suspension, air conditioning, exterior cosmetics, and a new interior. The cylinder heads were rebuilt, including machine work, new valves, guides, seals, valve springs, retainers, and timing chains. Various ancillaries were also addressed including rebuilt carburetors, starter and alternator, restored airboxes, new spark plug wires and points. The hydraulic system was also rebuilt, with rebuilt master cylinders for both brakes and clutch, new brake servos, rebuilt clutch slave, rebuilt brake calipers, and new brake lines. The suspension was rebuilt with powder coated suspension arms, new ball joints and bushings, new seals and bearings in the rear uprights, new shock mounts, and rebuilt axles. The gearbox was rebuilt, including sliders, synchros, bearings, mounts, and throw-out bearing. The air conditioning system was also rebuilt including compressor, receiver-drier, evaporator, condenser, condenser fans and fan switches. Miscellaneous other work was done including new headlight motor and many new hoses and lines, and much new hardware. Cosmetically, some paintwork was done, as well as selective rechroming, and the wheels and spinners refinished and new tires installed.

The car makes a strong cosmetic impression. The body is straight and displays good foot and gaps and paintwork was done to high standards. There are few signs of wear and aging, such as minor surface cracks at the corners of the engine compartment opening and a ding in the front left fender. The chrome around the windows is excellent as are the spinners. The bumpers have some surface swirls and light scratches but present nicely overall. The glass and lights are very good overall, with some wiper marks to the windscreen but no other issues worth noting. The car has Carello low beams and Cibié high beams.

The interior is freshly restored condition and was done to high standards. New leather was fitted throughout to the seats, door panels, dashboard, parcel shelf, and windscreen header rail. The carpets were also replaced and are excellent. The workmanship is first rate throughout. The car retains its vintage Blaupunkt radio and even the interior dome lights and clock work.

The engine compartment has a freshly restored appearance and is beautifully detailed. It could certainly be shown, and has correct touches such as the silkscreened FIAMM airbox stenciling and wrinkle finished valve covers. The trunk is also in excellent shape with nice carpets. The jack is included with the car.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a comprehensively serviced Islero that is ready to enjoy. It has had over $110,000 in recent work to bring it to its current excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition, and it was recently driven over 350 miles from Southern California to Fantasy Junction, which it completed without incident. It was factory fitted with air conditioning, and although it has a non-original system currently installed which blows cold, the original Borletti unit is included with the car.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608