Carrozzeria Marazzi | Classic Italian Cars For Sale

I grew up in the era where cars like the Countach and Testarossa were in their heyday. But somehow, I wasn’t one of those kids who plastered one of the numerous posters of these outlandish sports cars on my bedroom wall. No, I was the odd one. Cars like the Citroën SM, Buick GNX and Audi Ur-Quattro were the cars that piqued my fancy. For me, cars are like wealth. Those that have the means don’t need to shout about it. But, there’s always the subset of the population who will want the brash face to go with the performance edge.

Amazing, then, that the manufacturer that popularized the mid-engine supercar formula started off with vehicles such as this: the Islero. Few people, even enthusiasts have ever heard of this car, let alone seen one. But it offers a window into the world of early Lamborghini history. This particular example for sale in Washington state has won an award at Concorso Italiano and is in show ready condition.

Year: 1968
Model: Islero
Engine: 4.0 liter V12
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 8,960 mi
Price: $198,888 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1968 Lamborghini Islero

1968 Lamborghini Islero GT 2+2 finished in stunning Argento Silver over Tobacco interior. This car, Chassis #6318 and Motor #2457 was the 104th Islero produced and delivered new on January 28th, 1969 To AutoElite in Europe. The 320bhp Lamborghini V12 engine has six Weber twin-choke carburetors and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Still retaining its original interior that is in stunning condition, it also retains its original color having been professionally re-sprayed during its cosmetic restoration. A full and comprehensive mechanical restoration was completed in 2012 at a cost of over $55,000 by Alpha of Tacoma. A strong and complete Islero with collector quality status and future upward mobility. Coming with extensive documentation from birth, such as Telex, window sticker, travel passport and multiple records and history of the car. Receipts for all recent work is available as well upon request. Sporting newer correct reproduction tires as well as its original RARE knock off Miura style wheels, its beauty is unsurpassed. A Lamborghini of the V12 era and Gentleman's GT cruisers, this show ready Islero recently won 3rd prize for 'Front Engine V12' at the Concorso Italiano. This never to be seen again styling Lamborghini Islero GT 2+2 is ready for its proud new owner!

Outside of the Miura and original 400GT, a lot of classic Lamborghinis languished in the collector market due to their obscurity. In the past several years, however, things have started to trend upward for these cars, which were devised as an onslaught to Ferrari’s dominance in the Italian sports car market. At almost $200,000 this Islero is on the high end of the market, but seeing as how it has a recent restoration and is a no excuses car, it might be worth it to the right buyer. You may get a lot of folks asking “what is it” but when they look at the badge and see the Raging Bull, you’ll garner a new found respect.

-Paul

The predecessor to the amazing Lamborghini Jarama featured a few days ago was the Lamborghini Islero. This was the follow up to the very first models produced by Automobili Lamborghini, the 350GT and 400GT. While it wasn't as big of a success as the mid engined Miura, it certainly fit the mold of the refined touring car that Ferrucio Lamborghini was aiming for in his rebuke to the Ferrari empire.

Only 225 Isleros were ever manufactured, 125 Isleros and 100 Islero S models, which featured a tuned engine and a few minor styling changes. This Islero was one of a hanful painted in Bronzo Scuro, which suits its sublime character quite well.

1968 Lamborghini Islero on eBay

This is NOT the same Islero offered early this month on ebay. That was Islero #6411. Both cars are painted Bronzo Scuro, I supplied the paint codes to the owner of #6411. A lot of research went into getting the correct original color for the paint, working with friends at the factory, PPG and old paint samples. The color is extremely effected by light conditions, when in direct sunlight the color really comes alive.

This is Islero # 6243. There is a good possibility that the car was used in the short film Vedo Nudo - La Diva. Released April 17, 1969. Filmed early fall 1968. The time frame of the film matches #6243's build time and there were only about 4 or 5 cars built in that color. Body delivered by Marazzi to Automobili Lamborghini SpA Aug. 7 1968. Car completed September 3, 1968. Delivered to Swiss Lamborghini importer Garages Foitek Oct 2, 1968. Sold to dealer Bader.

Sold to a Guther Kraxner of Kirchberg Switzerland, Sold through a Carlo Pina of Solothurn, Switzerland to USA (CA dealer) Aug. 8, 2000. Sold to Ohio Sept 11, 2001. Owner transferred to NYC leaving car in storage at well know Lamborghini shop in OH. I purchased the Sept 4, 2003. I have records on the car including copy of the Swiss Title. I have hundreds of pictures of the car from its original condition when I purchased it, to the strip to bare metal, and repainting. It has also been documented on Ferrarichat.com - Lamborghini section - Islero thread.

I've added photos of #6243 when it was painted Blue and the Dark Brown color it was when I purchased it. When we stripped away the layers of paint we found the original Bronzo Scuro which is shown in the pictures. In addition to the body work. The following has been done to the car by the previous owner or myself since 2001.

New exhaust
Rebuilt Front and Rear Calipers
Repacked Front wheel bearings
Machine Front and Rear Rotors. (Have a set of new Front Rotors)
Rebuilt Brake Master Cylinder
Rebuilt Brake Boosters
New Brake Pads Front and Rear
New Brake Hoses Front and Rear
New Brake Light Switch
New Brake Light Assemblies
New License Plate lights
Clean out Fuel Tank
New fuel pump
Replace fuel lines with Stainless hoses
Carbs Cleaned, new needles and seats
Replace all engine hoses and belts
Replace thermostat
Radiator Clean and Flushed
Rebuilt oil cooler
Replace Cam Cover gaskets
Engine Compression Test - Strong (all cylinders within 10%)
New spark plug wires
New distributor caps
New points
New rotors
New condensers
New spark plugs
Front and Rear Bumpers polished
Door handles re-chromed
All trim pieces removed cleaned and polished.
New windshield gaskets front & rear
Front Seats - new leather
Rear Parcel shelf - new leather
Rest of interior conditioned and re-dyed
New Headliner
New Carpets
New Seat belts (4)
New Tires - (5)
Recovered sunvisors
New carpeting in trunk
New engine hood pad
Wheels stripped and refinished. (Not happy with result, plan to redo) minor issue.

Suspension:
Have new ball joints for front and rear as well as new bushings for front and rear suspension.
Plan was to put them as well as the Front Rotors on over the winter, rebuild front and rear shocks, clean and refinish suspension parts and undercarriage. Other minor things that needs to be addressed. rear ashtray (Alfa 2600), Dead Pedal (located), interior light (Mercedes parts bin), Correct Rear window latches (located).

This is stuff I can remember, I'm sure there are a lot more things that I've replaced that I've forgotten. It shows 97,665 klm (60,552 miles) on the car. While I don't have documentation of it, research indicates that the engine was rebuilt before it came to the US, which matches the strong compression numbers. Given everything else I've done to the car, if I felt the engine needed rebuilding, I would have done that as well.

Reason for sale: I have another car in restoration that will be part of a special display recently announced for Monterey 2012 (originally planned for 2013). That change has pushed forward the restoration schedule for that car. Unfortunately the Islero has to go as result of that accelerate restoration schedule. Auction may end early as the car is being offered within the Italian automotive community.

I always appreciate it when sellers include pictures of the restoration process. It is obvious that a lot of care went into bringing this car back to its original state, even if a few minor parts need to be sourced (not an easy task for such a limited production vehicle). The paintwork gives this car an air similar to Steve McQueen's Marone Metallizzato Ferrari 250GT Lusso. While these early four seater Lamborghinis have not reached Miura values, it does seem as if prices are on the rise, even if we are in harsh economic times. Overall, a good presentation of an oft overlooked model from the house of the raging bull.

-Paul