1970 Lamborghini Miura P400S Coupe

The curvaceous, mid-engine Lamborghini Miura stood a mere 41 inches tall and it sent shockwaves throughout the automotive industry upon its formal debut in march of 1966 at the Geneva Salon. Named after an infamous fighting bull, the state-of-the-art Miura incorporated a lightweight chassis, four-wheel disc brakes, a fully independent suspension, and a transverse, mid-mounted DOHC v-12 engine breathing through four triple-choke Weber carburetors. Its provocative looks were backed up by its reported top speeds approaching 170 mph.

Continous development brought about the Miura P400 S, with the 'S' denoting 'sprinto,' or tuned specification. It was first shown in 1968 at the Torino show where its comprehensive list of improvements addressed interior comfort, handling, and build quality. The V-12 engine received reworked cylinder heads and revised Weber carburetors, resulting in an additional 20 horsepower to a factory-advertised rating of 370 bhp. Performance and handling improved with modifications to the rear suspension and 70-series Pirelli Cinturato radial tires placed at all four corners. The new ventilated disc-brake rotors reduced fade under hard use. An 'S' tail-panel script was one of the few exterior distinguishable features. A careful selection of upgrades was adapted to the Miura during its production run, spanning November 1968 until the advent of the P400 SV in March 1971, with just 338 examples of the P400 S built.

This particular example is chassis number 4042 and powered by its original engine, numbered 30361 and body 654. Confusion exists over chassis number 4042 as it was originally assigned to a P400 with production number 362. The original P400, however, was damaged, and - as was done on occasion - Lamborghini subsequently built a new P400 S using Bertone production no. 554 (body 654) and the identity of 4042. This is a late-production Miura P400 S that left the factory with air-conditioning and finished in Oro Metallizzato (Gold Metallic) paint over Nero (Black) leather upholstery. On November 21st of 1970, it was sent to Spain and directly sold by Automobili Lamborghini to first owner Hernández Rodriguez of Madrid.

This Miura P400 S was later repainted red and was used for a road test by Spanish magazine Motor Clàsico in March 1987. By late 2007, the car was in the care of Pedro Gojovarra of Madrid. It was later purchased by Angel Muñoz of Madrid who reportedly repainted the car several times and had the engine rebuilt and the engine bay refurbished. It was purchased from the Muñoz family in 2011 by a private German collector, and in early 2014, it was acquired by Neil Peart of the U.S. The Lamborghini was airfreighted to California in 2015 and its new owner had the car methodically sorted with the intent of making it a solid performing example. The body was professionally refinished in silver and the mechanical aspects were serviced.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2021