The Lamborghini Miura is the holy grail of classic Italian cars. Marcello Gandini took the world by storm when the P400 prototype debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in 1966. It popularized the "supercar" genre, as noted automotive journalist L.J.K. Setright used this term to describe the Miura upon reviewing it. To this day, the Miura is admired for its daring looks and innovative packaging. This car was a departure for Lamborghini, as they began by producing grand touring vehicles that were more comfortable and usable than comparable models from Ferrari. Not only was the car's looks revolutionary, but the drivetrain itself was rather advanced, as Lamborghini combined the engine and gearbox in one casting so transverse placement could be easily implemented. This concours example has around 13,000 miles and includes a certificate of authenticity from the factory.
1968 Lamborghini Miura P400
This is the Supercar you have been waiting for – the rarely available Lamborghini Miura! Buy Now to get a jump start on this year's car show season. This 1968 Lamborghini Miura for sale is perfect for the discriminating auto enthusiast who knows that it is the original Miura P400 model that changed the sports car world forever (it wasn't the later S or SV models) when the first V-12 mid-engine production road car was shown at the 1966 Geneva Auto Show.
The Miura P400 model is the car that popularized the phrase "Supercar" when British motor journalist L. J. K. Setright wrote about the Lamborghini Miura in CAR magazine in the mid-1960s. It is the Miura P400 that established Lamborghini among the manufacturers of the world's highest performing and best looking sports cars. Ferrari didn't introduce its first V-12 mid-engine Boxer road car until 7 years after the Miura P400. Since it was introduced, the Miura is regularly noted as one of the most beautiful cars ever designed. Even 45 years later, the Miura's design is timeless and holds its own against any sports car. The Miura P400 was the fastest production road car in the world in its time.
This specific Miura for sale is further distinguished by the fact that it is unrestored (with possible exception of some exterior paint) and properly maintained. A collector car can only be unmolested and original once, and most of the cars of this era have been modified in numerous ways (no longer as was produced by the factory). No expense has been spared to sort out the car and maintain it properly. All the normal maintenance items have been refreshed (lubricants, brakes, suspension, tires, etc.) at regular maintenance intervals to keep this a safe, high performing drive.
This specific Miura for sale was meticulously evaluated by the Lamborghini factory's Registro team (led by the factory's highly regarded test driver Valentino Balboni), and was given a certificate of originality (Certificato d'origine). This Miura is low mileage and regularly run to ensure it stays in good running condition. This car is well sorted and is very reliable. This car has been invited to numerous Concours d'Elegance events and is always among the people's favorites and has received numerous awards.
Given the age of the car it can never be certain what the true mileage is. When I bought the car in 2002, the Euro odometer read 12,427 KM (7,722 Miles). I had a US units speedometer installed (still have the original speedo) when I bought the car (to make measurements easier during road rallys), and the current odometer reads 5,385 Miles. Thus, the total known mileage of this Miura is 13,107 miles. The excellent original condition of the car would indicate this truly is a low mileage vehicle whatever the actual mileage is.
Quite simply, there never was a car like the Miura and we'll never see another one like it in the future. This car emerged at a time when regulations were lax and automotive designers played it fast and loose, limited only by their imaginations. I am quite glad that the Miura concept of 2006 didn't see the light of day, because this is one of those vehicles that deserves to be remembered as is. Any kind of tribute or revival would be sacriledge to the the original.
One of the Miura's most famous appearances on the silver screen was in the opening scene of the original Italian Job starring Micahel Caine and Noël Coward. As Matt Monro plays in the background, the character of Roger Beckermann casually hurdles the car around the tight roads of the Italian Alps. One surely isn't prepared for the disaster that hits a few scenes away.
-Paul
