The past six months have seen an explosion in the exchange of information over the Internet. I have been methodically writing these Islero Web pages for the past 5 years. In the past six months I've had as many readers (6,000) as in the previous 4 and a half years put together. New Lamborghini Web sites have been created, such as the excellent site of Raymond Stofer, of the Lamborghini Club Switzerland. (www.lamborghiniclub.ch) and the active and interesting Lamborghini Mailing List hosted by Roman Gaylsh (www.lamborghinilist.com). Certainly, the needs of us owners of the older cars are coming to the forefront as more and more owners are asking for parts sources and tech information. The days of owning an Islero and feeling isolated are coming to an end. We share common interests, problems, and concerns, and are beginning to work together to keep our Isleros on the road.
2001 -- When we watched the movie in the '60s, how many of us thought we would ever live to see 2001? Who would ever have thought we would be enjoying Italian cars of the '60s in 2001? In the mid-'60s, we thought the Italian cars, as an art form and as a technological achievement would go on, forever represented by limited production jewels and coachbuilding diversity. But then the rules came, and as Stephen King says, "The world moved on." Most of us were just graduating from high school or college in the late '60s when the Isleros were rolling off the production line and for many of us they were a dream car, something that we might have lusted after in a black and white magazine picture but something that we never expected to get to see in the flesh. The world may have moved on, but the emotion called up by Italian automotive art is here to stay. For each of us it means something different; the sounds of 12 cylinders in the upper octaves of excitement, a common interest with other friends, flowing lines of handbeaten art, or memories of parking along a river bluff to watch the moon and other youthful automotive activities. All of this is worth preserving!
Since the last issue, 4 Isleros have been reported from Sweden, and several more of the 60-some imported into Switzerland have been noted. Several Isleros have changed owners and many restorations are progressing. Any new information is VERY welcome and pictures are especially useful. Many thanks to all of you who have helped with this project.
This issue's feature is to focus on some of the details of the first series Isleros that might differ from one to the next, and on changes that were subtly made during the series. Be sure to check out the Lamborghini websites noted in the links below, as for instance, John Steacie shows much progress on his Islero that he is documenting the restoration of.
As I am trying to maintain this webpage for the benefit of all, please keep the info coming. E-mail me at LuigiDVM@aol.com.
Ciao,
Lou Herrin
P.S.-- To send pictures or information by regular mail, please send them to me at:
Visible here is a factory sunroof, one of perhaps 10 that were made this way. Islero #6270 is being restored at this time and may already be nearly ready for the road again.
How about this? Note the different bumper, seemingly in 3 parts, the only Islero with this configuaration known. This car is thought to be #6015, a very early example. It is photographed here by the Spanish media on the occassion of its introduction, at the bull fighting estate of Eduardo Miura. The Islero was a deep blue-green with mustard interior. Does anyone know where it is today?
Islero #6183 displays a set of Borrani wheels that were an option on the first series cars. As the factory did not record which cars got these, an estimate might be maybe a quarter of the first series or less. The front side marker is tear shaped on the early first series cars. The rear side marker and Lamborghini emblem here are not stock.
Here is another early first series Islero, #6222, with Borranis and tear drop shaped side markers. Somewhere about #6240, the side markers were changed to a small round unit. Outside rear view mirrors were most likely added by the original owners as early Isleros were delivered without them. This one had the most common period mirror, the Talbot style.
Islero #6366 is one of the last of the first series. Note the side marker lights are now round and the fog lights mounted in the front grill are already on the outside of the mesh as in the "S" series. The car was originally consigned to and sold in Switzerland but has been in the USA now for many years with a long time owner.
This is an inspirational photo! The take-home message is: Where there is a will, there is a way. This Islero was restored to show-winning condition and is now enjoyed as a great running car in Switzerland. It was pictured on the previous issue of this website in its finished form.
The Lamborghini Owner's Club is a great source of information and news. Subscribing to Jim Kaminski's newsletter will certainly increase your enjoyment of your Islero experience. This is a great source for manuals, wiring diagrams, and other Isleromobilia. Jim also has original sales brochures for the Islero and Islero S.