The legacy of the Lamborghini Miura is undeniable. As the first supercar from Ferruccio Lamborghini – at the time a successful manufacturer of tractors, heating units and air conditioners with a passion for cars – the Miura was developed with a dream team of young engineers and designers. Powered by a 350bhp 4.0-litre V12 engine that became the Raging Bull’s calling card, the Miura is what many consider the world’s first true supercar in 1966.
Nearly 60 years later, the Miura is still a revered treasure. Beautifully designed and technically advanced for its time, this supercar is a coveted collector’s item. Somehow, three Miura examples ended up dusty and neglected in a mysterious junkyard where owner Rudi Klein stored cars from Ferrari, Aston Martin and other exotic car makers the way others collect stamps.
According to auction house RM Sotheby’swhich will sell these supercars on October 26, Klein’s collection was a closely guarded secret, with “only rumors of its existence” in exclusive collector circles. Klein died in 2001, and these cars have been waiting peacefully for this moment.
Out of storage and into the spotlight
Lamborghini says as many as 43 films feature a Miura, and Eddie Van Halen channeled the guttural sounds of a revving 1972 Miura S in his eponymous band’s song “Panama.” It was born a star.
Now plucked from the dirt and darkness that has shrouded a treasure trove of cars, engines and parts for decades, these three Lamborghini Miura supercars are up for sale. And if you’re willing to put in a decent amount of money, time and parts, a restored Miura can fetch much more than its expected retail prices of $400,000 to $700,000.
These Lamborghini cars aren’t nearly the most expensive around — that honor goes to a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing, expected to sell for $4.5 to $6 million, even dusty and dented due to low speed. collision of Klein’s forklift. Other masterpieces up for auction include a 935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupé from Sindelfingen; a one-off 1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider prototype from Bertone; and the only remaining Horch car, a 1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster from Gläser.
However, the Miura has a special history in the hearts and minds of supercar fans, and seeing it reappear after years of being considered lost makes the occasion an eventful one. If you’re in the market for a flawed but still beautiful car and have the resources to restore it to near-original condition, they can emerge like monarch butterflies from their dusty cocoons.
Recovery option
The most expensive Lamborghini at this RM Sotheby’s junkyard auction is a 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400, starting at $500,000. Wrapped in a Bertone body and bright green paint, this Miura is the 159th of the 275 built and has a large dent in the driver’s door. There is also something intriguing in it: the car, registered in the name of Mr. Zampolli in 1968, we can only speculate whether it could have been owned by Claudio Zampolli, the test engineer and driver of the Lamborghini factory.
Second in line is a 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, also with a Bertone design, which still wears the original blue paint. This is powered by the same V12 engine as the original Miura, but with an extra 20 hp for a total of 370 hp. One of the fastest production cars on the market, the Miura has been on the shelf since 1978. Think about it: The last time this car saw sunlight was when the Bee Gees were hitmakers and people brought seven-layer salad to block parties. Although the Miura lacks the clamshell and rocker panel finish, it is a DIY project made for a skilled restorer.
“It is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable Miura S examples offered in recent history. It deserves a brave new owner, someone who is committed to bringing this incredible supercar back to life,” said Cary Ahl, automotive specialist at RM Sotheby’s. told Robb Report.
The third Miura is a red 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 (also touched by Bertone) that will likely sell for $350,000 to $450,000. However, you should know that this Miura is missing its engine or gearbox, crucial (and expensive) elements for drivability. Built on a lightweight ‘thin chassis’ design constructed from 0.9 inch thick steel, as opposed to the typical 1.0 inch type used in later models, this P400 was the 53rd Miura ever made. Once inside, ready Giallowhich is Italian for yellow, the car could (and should) be restored to its original glory.
“Every car takes a courageous collector prepared for an extensive restoration,” said Ahl, “but the rewards for returning these incredible supercars to their former glory are enormous.”