Super rare 1969 Lamborghini Islero, once belonged to the Spanish Royal Family

Introduced in 1968 as a replacement for the 400 GT, the Lamborghini Islero is clearly not as popular today. This is largely because it is often overshadowed by the Miura and Espada of the same era. This may also have something to do with its short time in showrooms.

The Islero, however, was a genuine V12 Lambo and one of the rarest bulls ever made. It debuted alongside the wild-looking Espada at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show. At the time, the Iselro was the most conservative-looking Lamborghini on the market. However, it didn’t lack for luxury or performance.

Like all Lambos produced at the time, the Islero used a V12 engine. The grand tourer shared the 3.9-liter engine with the Miura and Espada. With six Weber carburetors supplying air and fuel, the V12 produced 325 horsepower in the regular Islero and 350 horsepower in the S.

The S version took just 6.2 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill, before reaching a top speed of 160 mph. Compared to the Espada, the Islero had a shorter lifespan. While the Espada remained in production until 1978, the Islero was discontinued after 1969. Lamborghini sold just 225 units in two years, making the Islero one of the rarest classics produced by the Italian automaker.

It’s unclear exactly how many Isleros exist today, but some sites have recorded 25 public auctions since 2015. Needless to say, there are certainly more Isleros out there, but the Islero remains a rare find for sale.

And that’s exactly why this 1969 Azzurro Cielo from the collection is so notable. An Islero recently appeared in the Broad Arrow lot for the upcoming 2025 Zurich auction.

Not only is the car in excellent condition, it also boasts a rare color combination: an Azzurro Cielo (light blue) exterior paired with a cream interior. What’s more, the Islero was originally owned by a member of the Spanish Royal Family.

According to some sources, the car was delivered to Barcelona in April 1969. There is no information about which member of the Spanish Royal Family drove the car, but we do know that it was later sold to an American collector who restored it to its original specifications.

The Lamborghini returned to Europe in 2012 and spent about five years with a German collector. In 2017, it changed hands again, joining a collection in Switzerland.

The Islero has been restored for the second time under its current ownership. One of only 155 non-S Isleros produced, the Islero is estimated to sell for between 300,000 and 350,000 Swiss francs.