1967 Lamborghini Miura P400

“Returning the Miura to Bob was like returning from Dis­neyland—we were sad to have to come back to the real world” - American magazine Road & Track borrows a Miura P400 from West Coast distributor Bob Estes in early 1968

The definitive supercar of the Sixties, the Miura needs no introduction. Launched to international acclaim in March 1966, the Lamborghini Miura quickly became the favourite of Sheikhs, playboys, rock stars and industrial tycoons. In original P400 form it left its rivals for dead in terms of styling, performance and handling.

Today the Miura is considered the original supercar, the motoring landmark which set the template and inspired all Latin exotica which followed, and is frequently voted ‘sexiest car’ of all time.

A total of 274 Miura P400s were despatched from 29 December 1966 to 15 April 1969. The cars were in a process of constant development and changes to specification were frequent. Variations in interior trim, chassis construction, tyres, steering wheels, dampers and even fuel tanks were common.

The first Miura is well-known for its dazzling palette of colours. A ‘red Miura P400’ was usually one in Rosso Miura, a beguiling orangey shade that changed in the light. It is best known as the colour of the Miura used in the opening sequence of the 1969 movie, The Italian Job. The colour was replaced for the Miura S by either Rosso Corsa, a pure racing red, or Arancio Miura, plain orange.

Leather interiors were rare, the P400 seats were at first in a vinyl imitation with a basket-weave centre, back and lower section. From car 77 there was a period of approximately 100 cars when the seats were entirely trimmed in fabric (panno in Italian). The final cars reverted to the combination of plain and basket-weave vinyl. All cars had ‘tombstone’ headrests in matching basket-weave vinyl.

Each Miura, whether P400, S or SV has its adherents, though for many the first cars with their delicate narrow wheels and tyres, interesting choice of interiors and blazing colours have a great attraction.

This Motor Car

Miura P400 chassis 3258 was dispatched from the factory on 7 December 1967. It was the 102^nd car built and was ordered by US West Coast distributor Bob Estes of Inglewood, California. As delivered, it was finished in Rosso Miura with a black leatherette interior and all-fabric (Panno) grey seats. According to recent Kidston SA research using the original Bertone records, fewer than 20 Miuras were delivered in Rosso Miura over black with grey cloth.

An early Miura borrowed from Bob Estes by American magazine Road & Track features a car to this specification in a road test published in May 1968, only a few weeks after the delivery of this car.

Miuras P400s did not have to comply with the strict US emissions and safety regulations and are hence identical to European-spec cars with full-power engines and eared wheel spinners.

Little is known of the early life of this car until 1991, when evidence suggests it was restored and it might well have been at this time that the original interior was removed and replaced with the brown leather in which it is presented today. In 1991, the owner of 10 years sold the car and by 2008 it was still in the US and offered for sale in La Jolla, California.

Shortly thereafter, Miura 3258 was shipped to Europe and was soon bought by our client on arrival. It joined a significant collection of the world’s finest motor cars, kept in climate-controlled dry storage and undriven. A respray from red to blue is the only change from when it left North America.

Upon recent inspection, we can confirm that the car retains its original engine (1558) and is fully matching numbers. The block’s stampings are clearly visible, as are the date stampings on both cylinder heads. The body panels are stamped with the number 102, matching the production number. The front clamshell is still original, though has been modified with SV-style indicators and bumper, a common and reversable alteration.

The new owner can choose between having this car comprehensively serviced and put back on the road to be enjoyed as it is, or commission a total restoration to original colours and trim inside and out. In our opinion, the latter is an exciting option. Given its matching numbers and attractive specification, we consider it to be an excellent candidate for restoration by our best-in-the-world experts in Italy who would give 3258 the new lease of life it so deserves.

In some measure thanks to the success of our Lamborghini Miura book and forthcoming Register, interest in the Miura is increasing. This early LHD car, now UK registered and an ideal candidate for restoration, could be your entry to the exciting world of Miura ownership.