1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S Right-Hand-drive

$2,124,987.50 Sale Save

Location: United Kingdom

The Lamborghini Miura was originally shown to the world as a bare chassis at the 1965 Turin Motor Show following the work of two Italian engineers Giampaolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani and a development driver from New Zealand called Bob Wallace. The ‘original supercar’ started life as an after-hours project with the dream of creating a mid-engine transversely mounted V12 production car that could be offered alongside the Grand Touring Lamborghini 400 GT.

Soon after its reveal to the world, Ferruccio Lamborghini instantly saw the sales potential of the car and entrusted Marcello Gandini of Bertone to hastily build a prototype to be shown at the Geneva Salon the following year. Confirming Ferruccio’s instincts, the Miura was an immediate success and orders started to flow in following its more formal reveal to the world in 1966.

After a host of production issues for early cars, most Miura P400s were actually completed in 1968, before the updated Miura S was shown in November 1968 once again at the Turin Motor Show. The ‘S’ would rectify the key shortcomings of the original Miura, most notably the handling characteristics, build quality and cockpit comfort. Cars received improved Pirelli tyres, later cars boasted ventilated brakes and the engine was modified to produce an additional 20 bhp. Further improvements included electric windows, improved interior materials, switchgear redesigns and chrome window surrounds. The Miura S was produced from November 1968 to early 1971, with a total of 338 being made.

Lamborghini Miura P400 S chassis 3949 is 1 of just 24 RHD examples and was delivered new on 30 May 1969 via the company’s British agents in Alie St, East London, to Peter Hunter Associates of London. The car is still complete with its original pro-forma invoice from Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini SpA to Lamborghini Concessionaires, Alie St, London E1 for 6,943,000 lire. The car was finished in the classic combination of Arancio over Nero in Pelle; the leather interior being a rare and expensive option for Miuras of the time.

#3949 would remain in long-term UK ownership throughout its life, with extensive documentation and correspondence to support this low ownership and low mileage. It would spend a large period of its life in the striking shade of Giallo Fly and was a regular attendee to notable British motoring events in the 80s and 90s. Following a period of long-term storage, but still under the same ownership, the Miura would be sent to noted restorer Aubrey Finburgh in 2011.

It was decided that a complete restoration was to be carried out, however certain features were to be retained in acknowledgment of the low-mileage for this two-owner vehicle, including the original leather interior. The engine and gearbox were sent to Colin Clarke, who during the rebuild would ‘split’ the sump; an upgrade that was carried out on the very last Miura SVs. Finburgh would then carry out the extensive body restoration to the very highest of standards and returned the vehicle to its original shade of Arancio.

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