Manoli Katakis 
Here at MC&T we tend to shy away from focusing on the delicate and flammable works of art that are Italian cars, but we couldn’t pass this up. Just look at it. At this point it’s far more rat rod than it is anything else, but legally speaking, it’s a 1968 Lamborghini Espada. And yes, that’s a bare naked, original Lamborghini V12 engine with velocity stacks under where the hood is supposed to be.
By the way, it’s for sale.
Headed for the Mecum Kissimmee auction starting today and running through January 12, and was built to, unconventionally, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Espada when it was built back in 2018. But it wasn’t an American company that hot rodded up this Italian supercar. Rather, it was France’s Danton Art Kustoms, but it will be sold with a US title, per the listing.
Further details of this one-off Lamborghini are as follows: the side scoops are actually from the Reventon. It rolls on custom G67 RUMI wheels from Govad Foraged Wheels out of Toronto, Canada. Its custom emblem is a matador’s sword, the interior is entirely fabricated, and it’s 8.5 feet wide. Its top speed is unclaimed, but it’s likely terrifying considering there’s no safety equipment of any kind.
Introduced in 1968, the Espada enjoyed a 10-year production run, with production capping 1,200 units. The 2+2 grand touter styling may have been controversial at the time, but looked right at home with the angular and brawny muscle cars that America was cranking out every minute. Perhaps that’s why we’re attracted to it.
And remember, the next time somebody talks about ultra rare Lamborghini collectables like the Veneno or the Sian, simply show them this Espada, and watch them squirm.
