Lamborghini Espada by Danton Arts Kustoms - life-size hot wheels
The Danton Arts Kustoms Lamborghini Espada is a life-size hot rod that turns a rare 1968 to 1978 classic into a fully exposed, V12-powered rat rod. Built by French custom shop Danton Arts Kustoms and its founder Alexandre Danton, it lowers the chassis, widens the stance, leaves the big red wheels uncovered and puts the original V12 engine on full display, creating one of the most divisive and talked-about custom Lamborghinis ever made.
What is a hot rod, and why does it matter here?
Hot rod is a term used generically for a large category of vehicles, usually low-cost classic cars heavily modified on both the aesthetic and mechanical front. Showiness is the key word: increased rim sizes and vivid colours are the main features of these customs, specifically built to not go unnoticed. What makes this Danton cars project so striking is that it applies that hot-rod philosophy to a car that never needed help being noticed.
Why is the Lamborghini Espada so special?
The Lamborghini Espada is a true classic. Produced between 1968 and 1978, only 1,277 examples were built, and its estimated value sits around $200,000. To many enthusiasts, the thought of modifying one at all feels like a profanation, which is exactly why this build is so daring.
Who is Alexandre Danton?
Alexandre Danton, owner of the French garage Danton Arts Kustoms, is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and start reworking an automotive relic like the Espada. The final result is inevitably a bit disorienting, but nonetheless interesting, brave and certainly not disappointing. The project was guided by the word Espada itself, which refers to a matador's sword, so each sheet-metal cut was made to look as if a sword had sliced it.
What was changed on the car?
The new car's style is in line with the company's previous works, including a Porsche 964, a Targa 911, a pre-war Peugeot 201 and many others. The chassis set-up is considerably lowered, the disproportionately big red new wheels are left uncovered outside the mudguard hollow, and the engine covering on the sides plus the trunk have been completely removed, exhibiting the original, imposing V12. Stainless-steel tubular headers and exposed exhaust make that engine the showpiece of the whole build.
What is next for Danton Arts Kustoms?
Many sketches of new work ideas keep surfacing on the social accounts of the French garage, and they look very interesting: a G Class, a Miura, a 300SL and many more. It is fair to expect Alexandre Danton to keep surprising enthusiasts with unconventional, hot-wheels-like customs. You can read more coverage on Motor Authority and Robb Report.
Explore custom Lamborghinis and automotive art at TheArsenale
If radical custom builds and Lamborghini design speak to you, browse TheArsenale's cars collection and its automotive art collection. Standout Lamborghini pieces include the Custom Lifted Lamborghini Urus, the Lamborghini Murcielago V12 engine coffee table, and the RIOCAM Lamborghini Countach artwork.
