1969 LAMBORGHINI ISLERO S

One of 100 produced

Estimate: £180,000 - £225,000

In 1969, Lamborghini improved their 2+2 with numerous changes including a slightly more powerful 350bhp V12 engine. With many upgrades to the mechanics, aesthetics, and interior, the Islero S was quite an improvement, and was sometimes known as the Islero 400 GTS.

Outwardly, the car received slightly flared wheel arches, an enlarged hood scoop, horizontal side fender vents, 3/4 windows in the doors and two driving lights in the front grill. Inside, the new flat dashboard had a functional glove box and rocker switchgear but was perhaps less interesting than the early model.

Under the skin, a new rear suspension and larger disc brakes were part of the package. The engine sourced parts from the Miura S including its hotter cam and higher compression. This meant 340-350bhp on tap, which was good enough to achieve 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds.

Like the preceding Islero, the S model used a variation of the 400 GT 2+2 square-tube chassis, with a wider track to accommodate the Campagnolo wheels. The model was outfitted with leather interior, power steering, air conditioning and power windows.

Sold alongside the Miura S, only 100 examples of the Islero S were produced, making the car we are offering today very special indeed. Chassis 6634 was sold new to Veronica De Laurentiis who was the daughter of Italian Film Producer father Dino De Laurentiis and Silvana Mangano, a most notable Italian actress and model – often claimed to be one of the most beautiful women in the world at that time, along with another Italian actress, Sophia Loren. Veronica received the car as a present on her 20th birthday.

Chassis 6643 was then purchased in Rome from Veronica in 1973 by the current vendor. The vendor's great-grandfather was an Italian Count who unfortunately ended up being shipwrecked of the coast of Cyprus – though the boat was lost he managed to swim ashore to the town of Famagusta. He liked Famagusta so much he decided to settle there, and the car was shipped from Italy – still with its Rome plates – to join them in at their new family home.

In 1974 the Turkish invaded Famagusta, and the Mantovani family were forced to leave quickly. Abandoning their house and all of their possessions, the Islero S was loaded with a suitcase, and the Mantovani managed drive the car out of Famagusta to escape. Again stuck with bad weather at sea off the Italian coast, a wine barrel came loose and damaged the driver's door.

The Mantovani landed in Ipswich, and eventually settled in London – where the car has been dry stored ever since, with only the occasional turn over and warm up. The car remained at their London residence until the storage was lost in 2005, at which time the damage inflicted during the 1974 escape from Famagusta was rectified by Fox coachworks in Chelmsford. The car since has remained dry stored in Liverpool, where it was discovered by Coys specialists earlier this year.

Arguably one of the most original Islero S Lamborghinis ever to be sold at auction, the car still has its 1972 Italian road papers on the windscreen, and the supplying dealer sticker in the rear. All the rubbers are original and in good condition due to the excellent way the car has been preserved and stored.

The glass has never been out, all the suspension parts are clean- with the free thread clean on so many bolts – this car is a true time warp, and offers the chance to step back into the early 1970s. Offered in its original colour combination of coral blue over tan, this Lamborghini would be a wonderful acquisition for the true connoisseur. Simply wonderful.

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact our sales department.