Among the discreet treasures of history Lamborghinithe Islero occupies a special place. Far from the flamboyance of a Miura or the futuristic style of the Espada, this elegant GT embodies an era when the Sant'Agata Bolognese brand was still trying to define its identity between sport and grand touring. And of the 225 examples produced between 1968 and 1969 alone, one is about to go under the hammer with a royal story to tell.
This 1969 Lamborghini Islero, offered for sale by Broad Arrow Auctions at Zurich Auction 2025 on November 1, is not just any Lamborghini: it once belonged to a member of the Spanish royal family.
A rare blue-blooded GT
Delivered new to Barcelona on April 15, 1969, this Islero was documented by Lamborghini historian Olivier Nameche as having been ordered for the Spanish market. While the precise name of its royal owner remains unknown, the vehicle soon made its way to the United States, where it was acquired by Wisconsin-based collector Dr. Avery Alexander.
Under his care, the car underwent a first complete restoration by Gary Bobileff in San Diego, before Evans Automotive Repair took over the mechanical part: engine, suspension, brakes and cooling system. The body, completely disassembled, was repainted in its original Azzurro Cielo color, a luminous sky blue rarely seen on a Lamborghini. The interior was completely refurbished in cream leather, with particular attention paid to the Jaeger instruments and wood-rimmed steering wheel.
Elegance with a V12 soul
Under the hood is the legendary 4.0-liter twin-cam V12, fed by six Weber carburetors and developing 340 hp, transmitted to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. Light and well-balanced, the Islero offered a livelier ride than the 400 GT from which it was derived, while remaining true to Ferruccio Lamborghini's vision of comfortable, fast and refined grand touring.
Designed by Carlo Marazzi, formerly of Carrozzeria Touring, the Islero was the first Lamborghini to adopt streamlined headlamps, a stylistic choice that would influence the brand for over two decades.
A long journey to Switzerland
After its restoration, the Islero returned to the Old Continent in 2012, passing into the hands of a German collector, then another based in Switzerland in 2017. It was under the latter's care that it benefited from a new, meticulous, photo-documented restoration, carried out by Francesco D'Andrea and his team at Classic Cars Center.
Today, this Islero, chassis no. 6342 and engine no. 2532, is described as being in splendid condition, a rare witness to the period when Lamborghini was still perfecting the recipe for its mid-engined front V12.
Estimated between CHF 300,000 and 350,000
With only 225 examples produced, 155 of them non-S, the Islero is one of the rarest Lamborghinis ever built. This one, combining royal provenance, exemplary restorations and concours condition, could become one of the most expensive Isleros ever sold at auction, with an estimate of between 300,000 and 350,000 Swiss francs (around 320,000 to 380,000 euros).
The Zurich event will also feature other Sant'Agata Bolognese gems, including a 1967 Miura P400 estimated at between $2.2 and $2.5 million, a Reventón Roadster in excess of one-and-a-half million, and two particularly rare Diablo models.
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