“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 102nd 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.