1969 Lamborghini Islero S
- Colour
- Red
Lamborghini Islero S chassis 6531 is the 179th of 225 Isleros built and the 54th in the high-performance S specification, completed on 25 July 1969 and delivered new through the official Swiss distributor in Zurich. Originally specified in Verde P over Bordeaux, it was reordered in Red before delivery. Remaining in Switzerland until 1989, it subsequently passed through several American owners before a Japanese collector commissioned a full mechanical and cosmetic restoration by California specialist Gary Bobileff. The matching-numbers drivetrain was completely rebuilt in 2010.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$401,500
- —Auction saleSold US$313,000
- —Auction saleSold US$346,000
- 1969 →Private saleGarage W. Ruf AGpartial documentation
Another Swiss retail Lamborghini agent that acquired the car later in its first year.
- 1969-07-25 → 1969Factory deliveryGarages Foitekfull documentation
Official Swiss Lamborghini distributor in Zurich; received the car from the factory and subsequently sold it to another Swiss agent.
- → 1989Acquisition unknownSwiss owner or ownersnone documentation
The car remained in Switzerland through 1989, though no specific custodian during this interval is named.
- 1989 →Private saleCraig Davispartial documentation
Prominent collector who acquired the car by exchanging a Rolls-Royce for it; kept it first at his Swiss residence, then later imported it to his California home in Atherton.
- Date unknownPrivate salePaul Forbespartial documentation
Based in Newport Beach; purchased the car shortly after its arrival in the United States.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRay Grimmpartial documentation
Based in Rancho Santa Fe; commissioned an extensive cosmetic restoration by California specialist Gary Bobileff at a cost of approximately $100,000.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownArizona collectornone documentation
Brief intervening owner based in Arizona; no further detail provided.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownGary Bobileff company ownershipnone documentation
Short-term custodianship by the restoration specialist's own business before onward sale.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJapanese collectorpartial documentation
Owned the car until recently; oversaw a full mechanical rebuild of the engine, gearbox, rear axle, brakes, and suspension at Bobileff Motorcars, completed in 2010.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2010Engine rebuildBobileff Motorcars
Complete rebuild of the matching-numbers V-12 engine, gearbox, and rear axle assembly, along with overhaul of the brakes and suspension system.
Carried out for the Japanese collector owner; supporting invoices totalling nearly $45,000 accompany the car. Only 108 km recorded since this work.
- —RestorationBobileff Motorcars
Full cosmetic restoration carried out to a high standard, reportedly costing $100,000; work encompassed all visual aspects of the car.
Commissioned by owner Ray Grimm; the car had covered approximately 20,000 km since this work was completed.
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