Italian manufacturer Lamborghini might have got their start making tractors, but from the moment they pivoted to automobiles, it was clear that the brand was something special. In the decades since then, the company has become one of the biggest players in the performance car world, with fans in every country across the globe. So, preserving Lambo's history has become more important than ever, and collectors become are willing to pay more and more to keep these valuable classics in pristine condition.
As a result, the vast majority of surviving classic Lamborghinis have been subject to some sort of restoration, either mechanical, cosmetic, or often, both. Out of those restored examples, there are a few that stand out among the rest as being particular highlights that not only serve as jewels in their owners' collection but also keep Lamborghini's legacy going strong. Many of these cars have only been documented because they've been sold at auction, in some cases setting price records in the process.
8 Islero S
As Lambo's classic cars become rarer, documenting the whereabouts of each one becomes more important. This particular Islero S has been documented by noted marque expert Louis Herrin, who traced the car back to its original sale at a Swiss Lamborghini dealer in 1969.
It was owned by a Swiss collector for twenty years until another prominent collector, Craig Davis, found the car and traded his Rolls-Royce for it in 1989. It was then imported to the US and then to Japan, where it underwent a complete rebuild of the engine, brakes, and suspension in 2010. Remarkably, its paint is still in its original condition, mostly thanks to the meticulous care of its previous owners.
7 400 GT
The 400GT was only the second Lamborghini model ever made, introduced in 1966 and produced until 1968. It was designed in collaboration with noted engineers Giotto Bizzarini and Giampaolo Dallara, both of whom went on to form eponymous car companies of their own.
This example has been meticulously restored and is, at the time of writing, on sale at a German dealership for a price of roughly $495,000. It sports just 20,007 miles on the odometer and comes as a "matching numbers" car with the original engine and chassis.
6 Jalpa
The Jalpa is one of Lamborghini's biggest sales flops, despite being a great car on paper. However, it launched in 1981, at the height of popularity for the Countach, and just couldn't compete with its bigger, crazier brother. That means that Jalpas are one of the rarest classic Lambos out there, with just 410 examples ever produced.
This particular example has been looked after even more carefully than most, and it's been subject to a number of eye-watering restoration bills. Its engine was rebuilt by an Italian specialist at a cost of €22,608 ($25,067) and a further £5,000 ($6,561) worth of work had been completed while it was in the UK. It was sold in perfect condition in 2020 with just 22,370 miles on the clock.
5 Miura SV
The Miura is the most iconic of all the classic Lamborghini models, and the ultra-rare SV is even more desirable among collectors. The SV here is one of just 150 examples, and it's been restored in stages by various global specialists around the world.
Firstly, it had its chassis re-coated and its suspension and running gear rebuilt by Lamborghini Australia, then it was shipped to the UK and registered for British road use. Further work was then done to rebuild its 4.0L V12 engine and respray it in its original Rosso Corsa color.
4 Jarama 400 GTS
Another rare Raging Bull, the Jarama 400 GTS was the highest spec version of the Jarama, a 2+2 grand tourer designed to combine the sportiness of the Miura with the comfort of the Espada. It was also the first Lamborghini to fulfill US homologation requirements and therefore enter the US market.
The 400 GTS shown here traveled between the UK, Australia, and Japan, but most of its restoration work was completed in Australia. Every aspect of the car was comprehensively restored, including a full engine rebuild and a bare-metal respray in its original factory color.
3 LM002
Lamborghini might have a runaway hit on their hands with their modern SUV, the Urus, but their first attempt was less of a commercial success. The LM002 was originally planned as a military vehicle, but when Lamborghini couldn't find any military contracts, they repurposed it for civilian use.
Most of the surviving examples have been carefully stored away in climate-controlled garages, but this particular LM002 isn't like most. It arrived to its restorers in boxes, having been part of a botched project that ran out of funds halfway through. Nevertheless, most of the original parts were still there, so craftsmen at Bell Sports & Classic painstakingly cataloged and restored every single part until the finished vehicle could be pieced back together into its current form.
2 350 GT
While most restorations are carried out by independent outfits, occasionally Lamborghini shows off a car that's been restored by its in-house outfit, Polo Storico. A 1964 350 GT, the car is one of the first Lamborghini automobiles ever made, bearing chassis number 0121.
Being an early production car, 0121 featured some quirks that were taken from the original prototype model and were changed for later 350 GT models. So, Polo Storico had to spend hours researching the original features of the car, to ensure that it was restored to the exact specification that it left the factory with. It took an entire year, but eventually, the car was signed off with an unmatchable restoration from Lamborghini themselves.
1 Countach LP400 S
The Miura might have set the foundations for Lamborghini's success, but it was the Countach that really launched them into being the global phenomenon they are today. This 1981 LP400 S was recently sold at auction for $936,000, making it one of the most expensive examples of the car ever sold.
Being an early example of the car, the LP400 S featured a number of rare design features, like integrated fender flares and no rear wing. It was restored by Dugan Enterprises in 2018 to the tune of $400,000, making it one of the most expensive non-factory restorations of any Lamborghini. Since then, it has been entered into a number of Concours events and won several awards before being offered up for auction in March 2022.