Last week we featured two exceptionally unexceptional cars for sale at the same auction, so by way of contrast, this week we’re taking a look at what by most standards would be a pair of exceptional classics, hang the budget, and both are on offer as part of Historics’ next sale, at Windsorview Lakes on July 16th.
Back in 1967 Lamborghini showed the dramatic Marzal prototype at the Geneva Motor Show, a concept for a four-seater Lamborghini, which became a reality in 1968 when the company introduced the equally dramatic Espada. Unlike previous Lamborghini’s, the Espada was not named after a fighting bull, but a matador’s sword, perhaps because it was so different from the likes of the Miura or Islero.
The Espada made quite an impact when it first appeared – after all, just look at it; a four seater that was under four feet high, but at a little over six feet wide and 15 ½ feet long, it was hardly compact. In fact, it’s fair to say that the Espada is a very imposing car, with tremendous presence and it became one of the company’s biggest sellers with 1,217 built across three series and ten years, with most of the differences between each series being in the interior.
This low, wide body was designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, and the seats were indeed suitable for four reasonably-sized adults , although the two sitting in the back might not want to be there for too long. A glass rear panel facilitated rearwards visibility, driver and passengers sat low – obviously – and snug in individual high-backed air-line type seats.
Initially powered by a 3,929cc, six carburettor V12 producing 325bhp, the Espada could hit over 150mph. By the time we get to our car, a 1974 Series 3, engine output had increased to 350bhp, and for a while the Espada was the world’s fastest four-seater car.
Motor Sport magazine tested one in March 1972, and was full of praise for it – other than maintaining it was ugly. Denis Jenkinson – of Mille Miglia-winning fame – said that the car’s size became a minor issue thanks to its docility and general ease of driving. He was suitably impressed by the performance, ride, steering and handling, with his only complaints relating to the seats and the quality of the paintwork, which he felt was poor, not least for such an expensive car. He summed it up as “the ultimate in exotic four-seater cars”, although in reality there were very few alternatives other than a handful of 2+2’s such as the Ferrari 365GT4 2+2 or Maserati Indy.
Our car is a Series 3 1974 example, originally new in South Africa and therefore RHD. As a result of living most of its life in a rust-free climate, this one is, according to the auctioneers, “incredibly solid”. Indeed, they use the words “incredible” and “incredibly” three times in the first three sentences of the lot entry, which you can see here. Much of this Espada is original, and as such is mostly unrestored, making it a rarity among its kind.
If the Espada is a tad too extrovert for your £75,000 and you prefer your classic transport to be more understated, perhaps the Mercedes-Benz W113 or Pagoda is the ultimate expression of restrained elegance, and the one on sale at the same Historics auction is even in the same colour, albeit with different trim.
Paul Bracq’s timeless design is widely recognised as one of Mercedes most beautiful cars, and with good reason. Beautifully proportioned, especially in convertible form – although it still looks good with the hard-top in place – the Pagoda, so called due to the profile of it’s hard-top, has become one of the most desirable classics you can buy, and prices reflect that. Restored examples – particularly of the 280SL – can command up to £200,000, which makes this one seemingly a relative bargain.
Available with three different fuel-injected six-cylinder engines as either the 230, 250 or 280SL, and with manual or automatic transmissions, despite their SL – for Sport Leicht – nomenclature, these were not sports cars but sports tourers, intended for cruising at moderate speeds, top down, wind in your hair if you have it. The L however was reflected in the aluminium bonnet, boot lid, door skins and tonneau cover, and performance – especially from the 280SL – was brisk, if not exciting.
Handling, however, was another issue – the Pagoda handled superbly, thanks in large part to its wide track. Autocar magazine, in a September 1964 road test, praised the car’s balance, steering (power-assisted) and grip, as well as its superb all-round visibility. The magazine also said good things about the SL’s fit, finish, comfort and interior appointments.
The W113 was in production for a relatively short time – especially when compared with its successor, the W107 – just eight years, from 1963 to 1971, replacing the 190SL and the fabulous 300SL. In that time, 48,912 were built, 19,831 of which were 230SL’s, another 5,196 were 250Sl’s, and the remaining 23,885 were 280SL’s.
The W113 was particularly successful in the USA, with almost 19,500 finding their way across the pond. US regulations meant they got single sealed-beam round headlights instead of the more stylish upright “fishbowl” lights. For me, the non-US cars look a great deal better.
The car on offer on July 16th is the middle of the three available options, and the one built in the smallest numbers – the 250SL, which was built for just a year from early 1967 to early ’68. It’s finished in red, with matching red hubcaps and red painted fascia – I’ve always liked these details of the SL’s design. The interior is in black leather, and while I personally would prefer tan leather with the red exterior, the black looks perfectly acceptable to me.
This 250SL has been the subject of a recent full restoration including an engine rebuild, a glass-out respray, new hood, headlights and more. Unsurprisingly, with the restoration having only recently been completed and having covered zero miles since, the auctioneers describe this Pagoda as being in “fabulous condition throughout” – you can see the full lot entry here. As such, the estimate range of £75,000 to £85,000 – the same as the Espada – seems quite conservative to me, and I have a feeling it will go for somewhat more.
Both the Espada and the Pagoda are highly desirable classics, and while expensive, are some way from the price of the likes of Aston Martin DB’s or some of the more high-end classics. In fact, I’d argue these are both good value, and while the Espada will almost certainly be more expensive to run – not least in terms of fuel consumption – and it’s scarcity will mean that when spares are required, they will be harder to get than for the more numerous Pagoda, for the enthusiast who wants something different and exciting, it will make a good buy.
Where the Espada makes a dramatic statement even when standing still, the Pagoda oozes restraint and elegance. It is an altogether more subtle, more tasteful beast, and while it has nothing like the thunderous performance of the Espada, it will have no trouble keeping up with modern-day traffic, having a top speed of 125mph.
Were I ever in the fortunate position of choosing between the two, I’d opt for the Mercedes, as the Lambo’s complexity and expected high running costs would make it a far more demanding classic to run than the SL and while I enjoy its drama, I think it would be easier to live with, and regularly use, the German car, and I just love the design. Which would you choose, dear Reader?
With our Saturday instalment of Prime Find of the Week, we’re offering our services to the classic car community, by passing on our favourite classic car for sale from the week that passed. This top-tip might help a first-time-buyer to own his first classic, or it could even be the perfect motivation for a multiple-classic-car-owner to expand his garage with something different. We’ll let us be inspired by anything from a cheap project to a stunning concours exotic, and hope that you will do the same.
Just remember – Any Classic is Better than No Classic! We obviously invite our readers to help prospective buyers with your views and maybe even experiences of any given model we feature. Further to that, if you stumble across a classic which you feel we ought to feature as Prime Find of the Week, then please send us a link to primefindoftheweek@viaretro.co.uk