Leave it to our favorite denim-clad TV show host to show us the increasingly rare sight of classic Italian sports cars on the move. In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Jay takes the 1968 Lambroghini Islero out for a spin around Burbank.
Brought in by fellow comedian Adam Corolla, the Islero is a classic Lambo that sort of falls under the radar, making them quite a prize for enthusiasts. I’ts also worth noting that only 125 examples were ever made, upping the rarity even more.
The car is powered by a classic 4.0-liter Lamborghini V12 that produced around 325 horsepower, the same engine that powered a multitude of Lambos for a few decades. Leno points out how prolific this engine was throughout the automaker’s vehicles, and indeed, you’ll find the same 3929 cc displacement in most of the classics. The Islero replaced the 400GT and, as both presenters point out, the car has a more practical, if boxy look to it. Though maybe not harboring that sleek and sexiness that we’ve come to expect from these Italian classics, the roomier cabin, improved visibility and higher level of daily drivability are praised by the comedic enthusiasts.
Their conversation also highlights the sports car arms race Ferrari and Ferruccio Lamborghini were embroiled in, upping the displacement and revolutionizing the engineering of his cars if only to rub it in Enzo’s face.
With such a small number of these cars ever produced, its great to see celebrities who are true enthusiasts eager to share the cars in their collections in such a way that we all get to enjoy them in a vicarious fashion.
