Islero 400GTS (100 Made 1969)

All the series II bodies were delivered by Marazzi during 1969, though the first Islero S or GTS wasn't turned out til late summer of 1969. Of the series II cars, the first body was completed February 8, 1969 and the rest were finished in 1969, except for #6671 and #6674, finished January 8, 1970.

This car proved to be a much improved model over the Islero and had many exterior modifications making it easily distinguishable from the earlier model.

The most obvious changes to the car's exterior were the enlarged air intake on the hood, the addition of "mailbox" type slots in the side fenders just aft of the front wheels, a slight flaring of the wheel arches, front quarter windows, air vent behind the rear left window, tinted glass and an electrically heated rear window. Round front side-markers were used on the S cars and also the later half of the 1st series cars instead of the tear-drop shape of the early examples. Fog lights also became standard equipment and were hung below the front bumper but mounted outside the front grill instead of inside it as in the 1st series.

Inside the car much had changed. The interior of the S included more trim and could be characterized as typical late 60's/early 70's, where the 1st series was more mid-60's. The entire dashboard had been restyled with a better arrangement of gaurges. The push-pull type switches were replaced with safer rocker switches. An actual glovebox now replaced the old grab handle on the passenger side of the dash. Seating was also improved with higher seatbacks in front and a folding central armrest for rearseat passengers.

Rear suspension details were revised similar to that of the Espada. This was necessary to improve stability under hard braking due to larger discs.

Perfomance was up in the S as horsepower increased by 25bhp to 350bhp at 7500rpm though torque remained a constant 289 lbft at 5500rpm.

Only 100 Islero Ss were built with a sticker price of $20,000. The last car left the factory on April 15, 1970. Improvements apparently came too late to revive the reputation of the first series cars, and customers had already moved on to the Espada and Miura which were getting all the attention in the press.

Although there are Isleros out there that are listed as having been made in the years 1967 through 1972, in reality, they are nearly all 1968 and 1969's. All the bodies of the first series Islero were completed and delivered to the Lamborghini factory by Marazzi during 1968 and all the series II bodies were delivered during 1969. The first Islero was completed by the factory March 6, 1968 and all the rest of the first series were finished by Christmas except for #6375 which was finished February 17, 1969. Of the series II cars, the first was completed February 8, 1969 and the rest were finished in 1969, except for #6671 and #6674, finished January 8, 1970. Initial registration of the cars may account for discrepancies, as those were the years of beginning safety and emission control and many loopholes were sought by owners and importers. Some cars were probably claimed to be made before the rules and others were first registered long after production due to prolonged efforts to make them fit the new rules for the country they were going to. - Louis A. Herrin, DVM

Some clarification on Islero S chassis numbers by Lou Herrin, DVM.

The "S" series of chassis #'s again uses every 3rd number from #6381 to #6674 with a few corrections (or diversions) along the way, and includes #6189 from the first series. When the numbering system reached #6624, suddenly somebody became confused and miss marked this as #6625. So then every 3rd number was used based on the error until #6658, when another error occurred and it was miss marked #6659. Again every 3rd number was used until the end of the series. There were also two #6579 cars, one of which is in the Lamborghini museum in Italy, now owned by Tonino Lamborghini, Ferruccio's son.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Lamborghini 400 GTS Islero
ENGINE L401
Type	60° V12 Front Mounted DOHC per bank
Valves	2 per cylinder
Bore/Stroke	82mm x 62mm
Capacity	3,929cc
Carburation	6 Twin-throat Webers 40 DCOE 20
Max power	350bhp @ 7,500rpm
Max power	289 ft/lbs @ 5,500rpm
Compression	10.8:1
TRANSMISSION
Gearbox	5-speed + reverse All-Syncromesh
Clutch	Single dry plate hydraulically operated
STRUCTURE
Chassis	Load carrying body
Body	Steel
Builder	Marazzi of Milano
Suspension	Independent, coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers
Axle Ratio	11/45
Brakes	Girling discs
Wheels	Campagnolo cast magnesium
Tires	205 VR 15 Pirelli Cinturato
MEASUREMENTS
Overall Length	4525 mm / 176.5 in
Overall Width	1730 mm / 67.5 in
Overall Height	1300 mm / 50.7 in
Wheelbase	2650 mm / 103.4 in
Front Track	1380 mm / 53.8 in
Rear Track	1380 mm / 53.8 in
Weight	1315 kg / 2893 lb
Fuel Tank	80 L / 21 gal
PERFORMANCE
Top speed	260 km/h / 161 mph
PRICE	$20,000 US

ISLERO 400GTS REGISTRY