If you want eyelashes on your Lamborghini Miura’s headlamps, you have exactly 613 chances to score, and this 1969 P400S is one of them. Only 764 Miuras were ever made, and the last of the breed – the SV – was devoid of the delicacy that was so evident in the earliest cars. The P400S presented here is heading to its final offers on June 25, in a sealed-bid auction run by RM Sotheby’s. Chassis no. 3874 is located in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The estimate is “available on request” but we can tell you the auction house is hoping for a minimum of $2.2 million. Let’s find out why that might be an aggressive ask, even for one of the most beautiful cars on Earth. And – Araknid78, always appreciate your tips!
The Miura delivered shock value to the automotive ecosystem, enabled by talented engineers who created a vehicle that broke conventions in many ways. The car was not an assignment from Ferruccio Lamborghini, per se; instead, the project was led by the company’s younger employees, who wanted to see a race car delivered by the company that wasn’t interested in racing whatsoever. While the Miura’s eventual job in life was to run roads, not tracks, every component of this world-class supercar was designed with speed in mind, from its restrained curves to the mid-mounted V12 engine. Its 3929 cc powerplant evolved through three iterations – always dressed with four Webers – from the P400’s 345 hp to the P400S’s 365 hp, and finally 380 hp when the P400SV was launched in 1971. The five-speed manual transaxle was cast as a unit with the block. Later cars used a “split sump” to keep gearbox debris away from the engine. This example has elements of its early roots, but benefits from a rebuild overseen by Lamborghini test driver Bob Wallace, incorporating upgrades as well as SV specs. Aside from the rebuild, a fire suppression system was installed, and the gearbox was recently refreshed.
Inside, the leather seating is in perfect condition, though this car’s colors represent a change from stock: it was delivered in Argento Indianapolis (silver) paint with Naturale (tan) upholstery. Air conditioning was installed by a prior owner – an option that was available on the P400S but only after this car was produced. The console has been altered to accommodate the fire system controls. A toolkit and a jack are still with the car.
Marcello Gandini penned the Miura’s restrained curves; it’s a car without a single faulty aspect. Every view is graceful, balanced, alluring. Routinely named as one of the most beautiful automotive designs ever created, the Miura is as collectible as they come. Yet, two years ago, chassis no. 3874 sold in Monterey, also represented by RM Sotheby’s, for $1,897,000. Can it sell for more than that now? A buyer who appreciates this example’s upgrades might pay more than the last guy, but if I were on the hunt for one of these incredibly rare cars, I would covet originality over comfort. What do you think? Air conditioning and Giallo Fly yellow, or a Miura as Lamborghini sent it out of the factory?
Pure art.
Damn, The Miura has been the screensaver on my phone for the last 25 years , every time someone looks at my phone they ask is that your car ? most people don’t have a clue
Second favorite Alfa 33 Stadale
Drop dead gorgeous, and no complaints on the refresh!
I bet it’s far more beautiful in the factory silver … if you can imagine better than this!
The price seems atrociously high.
But when you see one in person, that doesn’t seem like so much money.
Listen to one, and it reaches the “affordable” range.
Drive one, and $2+ million becomes a bargain!
I’m an unapologetic fan, and firmly believe the Miura represents Peak Lamborghini. I was fortunate enough to drive one once — on a closed course, no less — and was gobsmacked. It was fast, of course, and handled beautifully, and was actually quite comfortable, but the sensory inputs put it in a class by itself.
The sad part of the story is that this car will likely never even get as much exercise as I gave that other Miura. The next owner will likely keep it in a collection for a while, then pass it on — at an even more eye-watering price — to another collector. Such is the fate of too many exotics that have transitioned from dynamic experiences to static sculptures.
The modifications, at least in my opinion, don’t affect the basic character of the car. So they don’t bug me.
What a beauty!! Let me see how much i can scrape up.
Beautiful car but a 2.2 millions dollars car with BF Goodrich tires Radial T/A…
I love thoses but not on a Lamborghini please!
Yeah, yeah yeah I had one of these when I was 10 years old…..matchbox
I still have mine…
Mine had a red interior!
The key fob ring is tarnished, unacceptable for a 2.2m car.
Also, it needs a steering wheel cover.
These are incredible hot boxes, so air conditioning is a must. The other mods from original wouldn’t make it any less desirable to most with too much lunch money and wanting it now.
Absolutely beautiful design!!! I don’t think these have one bad angle to look at on them.
Sex on wheels
In my book? It’s a toss-up ‘twixt this and the 507 Bimmer.
My absolute favorite car (next to a 250GT California SWB) – if only I had the funds to buy one (deep sigh) …
I don’t like yellow. But getting at a deal like $2.2M the budget can allow changing it back to the original color or my own choice. These are absolutely one of the best designs ever.
New owner needs to know about cars propensity to self immolation.
I worked with a guy back in the 80’s who owned one of these in a gold color. They actually do look even more sexy in person. He could never get it to idle right, but man it was fast and sounded awesome. But it didn’t end well. Let’s just say the need for that fire suppression system was real! 🫨
In the rarefied atmosphere of concourse level cars, absolute and uncompromising dedication to the authenticity of EXACTYLY, how it left the factory, is essential, to gain the maximum value. But, when you’re already talking 2.2 mil… who the hell cares if it’s got AC! Gimme, gimme, gimme…
I’ve seen 2 in the flesh. 1 in a museum and 1 on the road in the late 80’s. That poor car had been violated with a rubbish paint job (some trim done with a brush no less) and cheap aftermarket wheels.
“Barn Find”?? Stahp it, already.
If you need barn find quality, just skip over these. Some folks seem to enjoy the variety.
*stop
And to think, in a very short window of time, the person that designed this thing of beauty also created the Bertone Stratos Zero, Lancia Stratos AND the Lamborghini Countach. A remarkable run. Amazing to me to think all these iconic cars came from the same creative person. It’s also crazy to think that the Miura is currently 5-10X the cost of a Lancia Stratos, a car that has 3 World Rally Championships to it name.
It’s that V12.
this car, a 904, and a dino would fill my dream garage.
STUNNING !!!
I road tested one for a friend, drove it a few times at Road America on tours and eventually had it in to rebuild it’s engine/trans assembly years ago. It stayed with me disassembled for 23 years, one damaging thing after the other occurred to it. Three harming events took place at local machine shops I relied on and trusted. One of them allowed my using their equipment to install the needed valve guides, which I did. They carried-on machining the valve seats after, then ‘skimmed’ the head gasket surface of both heads. Turned out, their new machine had ‘chattered’ while grinding the seats. They didn’t stop, but damaged ALL of the seats on both heads !! Another M-Shop took the heads to see what it might take to find and replace the special (unavailable) seats. I left them having a protective piece of plywood on the fresh head surface. Months later they asked me over to look at their ideas, and upon removing the protective plywood (while I watched), I saw a pronounced “Ding” like a heavy and sharp object had been dropped right on a head-gasket sealing surface between cylinders, … or the head was dropped! They claim it was like this when they removed the wood ! Years went by and nothing happened. No one was willing to weld the damaged area. There are so many beautiful components inside the power unit, and I loved having the car in my hands to look at, but the stress of having it and the not being able to find the needed parts is a real dilemma.
Another exemplary write-up, Michelle. And – I learned some things. Thanks for the acknowledgment.