Lot 219: 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400

It is fair to say that before the Miura Lamborghini produced some outstanding Grand Touring cars which, despite their superlative mechanical specifications, somehow lacked a definable persona. All of this was to change on the 10th of March 1966, when the Geneva Motor Show opened its doors to the public. Sitting on the Lamborghini stand next to a 400 GT sat the very first Miura, completed only days before. Finished in a striking orange-red hue, the car caused a sensation. Its mid-engined V12 layout was in itself highly innovative, but it was the extraordinarily flamboyant body by Marcello Gandini of Bertone that provided the masterly final touch. With 325hp on tap from the 3,929cc engine, the car was capable via its five speed gearbox of 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds and nearly 180mph in the hands of the brave, which was more than a match for any other road-going production car. Output soon built up as it became a favourite among pop stars, racing drivers and other wealthy playboys; after all, the Miura was outrageously different and certainly more sophisticated than its arch rival the Ferrari 275 GTB/4, or even its successor the Daytona. Production for 1967 reached 111 cars, rising to a record 184 in 1968. This was, indeed, the car in which to be seen in the 1960s, the very last word in style, speed and outright sexiness; the sort of car that made children weak at the knees, women swoon and traffic stop in all directions when it passed. Alas, the Miura's heyday was to end with the disappearance of the Swinging Sixties and the ensuing tendency towards greater moderation in people's tastes. Production ceased late in 1972 after a mere 763 cars had been built, and they are today the most highly prized of all Lamborghinis. Manufactured on October 30th 1967 and delivered new to a Paris buyer, this superb Miura, an original 'light chassis' first series car with matching engine and chassis numbers, has a mere 46,560 kilometres recorded on the odometer. Completely restored some ten years ago - since when the car has covered minimal mileage - the engine and mechanical components were fine-tuned by former French Lamborghini importer Monsieur Ciclet, and more recently the car was serviced by a Lamborghini specialist in Italy who also rebuilt the gearbox with new satellite gears and synchromesh hubs to as new condition at a cost of around 8,000. Other recent work includes rebuilt headlight motors and controls and headlight interior chrome restored to as new condition. Inside, new black leather trim has been installed which is in excellent condition, as are the gauges, switches and seat headrests, while the carpets are also in good condition. In addition, the bodywork, which was re-painted in the 1990s, displays good panel fit, all the windows are intact, as are the original sunscreens; the paintwork, however, does show some small minor cracks, as is often the case in older restorations. Strikingly finished in its original yellow with complementary black interior, and having recently benefited from a transmission overhaul, service and road test, this classic and first of the mid-engined supercars - the 85th of only 125 built and which runs and drives superbly - is offered in excellent restored condition complete with Monte Carlo registration papers.De couleur jaune, cette voiture a été restaurée il y a dix ans. Le moteur, e la boite de vitesse et les matériaux annexes ont été compltement remis a neuf. La carrosserie a été repeinte mais a quelques petits aspects a revoir. Documents de circulation monégasques et taxes payes en EU.