To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' The Petersen Automotive
Museum Auction event, 8 December 2018.
Estimate:
$2,100,000 - $2,500,000
- The only Miura SV originally finished in Bleu Medio
- One of five single-sump SVs sold new to the U.S. and equipped
with air conditioning
- Beautiful, correct cosmetic restoration to original
specifications
- Exhibited at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- One of the most attractive examples of the original
supercar
� Please note that Internet bidding is not available for this lot.
Interested parties that are unable to attend the sale may register
to bid by telephone or place a commission bid online at
rmsothebys.com. Also note that this lot is titled as a 1972.
Before the introduction of the Lamborghini Miura at the 1966 Geneva
Salon, the term "supercar" simply did not exist. The Miura heralded
the beginning of a new age in automotive history, and visually, it
looked like nothing else on the road. The designer, Marcello
Gandini, was just 27 years old when he penned its stunning design
for Bertone, and his work encapsulated the youthful spirit of the
age and the power lying behind the bodywork.
The Miura's design was indebted to its engine placement, with the
V-12 mounted transversely directly behind the passenger
compartment. Not only did this allow for a highly attractive
silhouette, but it also gave the Miura incredible balance and
weight distribution. Like many supercars that have followed in its
footsteps, the Miura evolved over time, and the last iteration, the
P400 SV, was the most developed and potent. The suspension was also
revised slightly to help reduce the "front-end lightness" that
characterized the handling of earlier cars, and the rear bodywork
was widened for a more aggressive stance. The engine was also
addressed, and the SV was fitted with larger carburetors and
featured different cam timing, helping to make the SV more
user-friendly at lower RPMs.
Needless to say, performance remained incredible, and the SV could
outrun just about everything on the road when new. Producing a
total of 385 hp, the SV could sprint from 0-60 mph in just 5.8
seconds. On a wide-open stretch of road, the Miura could reach a
top speed of 180 mph.
Completed on 29 October 1971, this P400 SV, chassis no. 4912, was
originally finished in Bleu Medio over a Pelle Bleu interior and
was shipped new to the U.S. through Modena Car U.S.A. Notably, it
was the only Miura SV to be finished in that color according to Joe
Sackey's definitive tome, The Lamborghini Miura Bible. Furthermore,
it is one of 11 single-sump Miura SVs to be fitted from new by the
factory with optional air conditioning and one of just five
examples equipped as such delivered stateside. Chassis 4912 resided
in Texas as of 1977 under the ownership of Pedro A. Rubio but had
left his ownership by 1979. It is believed that the car remained in
the U.S. until at least 1992. At that time, the car was imported
from the U.S. to Japan by the Tokyo Pipe Co. Ltd.
The car remained in Japan for the next 20 years, and during this
time, it remained largely in static storage. By 2011, it was sold
to a Mr. Yamaguchi of Tokyo, then returned back to the U.S. It has
since been the recipient of a full cosmetic restoration to original
colors by Bodie Stroud, and mechanical work was done by the owner's
personal shop that services many street and race cars. During this
time, the engine was reported to have strong compression, so only
top end work was carried out. All electronics were looked after,
and even a correct SV steering column was sourced. Since
completion, it has been shown at the Pebble Beach Concours
d'Elegance, the San Marino Motor Classic, and the Father's Day show
on Rodeo Drive. When shown, it was only for display and not
judged.
Without the Miura, it can be argued that Lamborghini might not even
exist as a company today. Its importance to the automotive world
simply cannot be overstated. Chassis no. 4912 is an excellent
driver's Miura and would surely put a smile on the faces of any
driver and passenger at speed. Furthermore, considering its
incredible original specification and superb concours restoration,
it is sure to attract even more attention and awards wherever it is
shown and admired. It is without a doubt one of the finest SVs
available - glistening in its original Bleu Medio with stunning
gold wheels.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ca18.
