Miura, the original supercar

$1,050,000 was the price paid by my client for this roofless little devil....the first Lamborghini in history to exceed one million dollars.

Joe
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Emilio,
The new owner is a renowned property developer from New York City. He has studied this car for years.
The car is going directly to Bobileff Motorcar Company for a full restoration (circa $200,000 plus) to its very first Brussells Salon configuration as pictured above. Marcello Gandini who designed it, Bertone SpA, and Gian Paolo Dallara will all be involved in this historical project. First task of mine is to fly to Italy and take a close look at (and photo-document) the original steering wheel of the "Bertone Lamborghini Miura Roadster" which now adorns the Marzal in their studios! Wish me luck...
Joe

 

Eric,
- The price of 3498 whilst Jean Guikas had it for sale at GTC was $1,176,000 (900,000 Euros). I talked him down to $1,050,000 on behalf of my client.
- The car was in fact in Japan from circa 1991 to 2001.
- The purpose of the $200,000 restoration is simply to return it to its original January 1968 Brussells Salon guise.
- 4808 is a Miura P400S. The customization was a privateer job with no involvement by Automobili Lamborghini SpA or Bertone SpA whatsoever. Thus its configuration is strictly non-original. But I must agree that now that the psychological $1 million dollar barrier is broken with Miuras, who knows, someone might find 4808 attractive at 600k Euros?
There are some of us in solemn prayer that it never goes back to its "white whale" iterration, indeed, I wish it would also be put back to its very first configuration - as a sublime P400S in orange/black livery. But, as with all cars, opine as we all love to do, it is only the owner who gets to decide.
Hope Ive cleared up a few things.
Joe
www.lamborghiniregistry.com

 

Alberto,

1. - The new owner of the car has simply decided to take the car back to its 1968 Brussells Salon guise. Exactly how this will be accomplished is yet to be fully determined and planned out. I do know that besides Gary Bobileff carrying out the basic project, he wants me to involve Bertone SpA, Marcello Gandini, and Gian Paolo Dallara. The owner is a New York Property developer of renown, and I am somehow quite confident that corners will not be cut in this historic restoration. Lets just say that if anything needs to be manufactured, it will be.
Whilst we shall be sure to take note of your prudent advice to save all the zinc parts (I cant help but wonder if you think he might be tempted to simply throw them out? LOL), I however doubt very much he will be inclined to spare you any of the zinc hubcaps, fuggly or otherwise.
2. - Im unaware of your discussions with Gary, but I can tell you that the silver Miura SV 4968 that was up at Concorso and sold for $700k shortly thereafter is a non-original custom color that is NOT the "Blu Ischia" used on the 'Lamborghini Bertone Miura Roadster'. I can also tell you that in order to determine the correct color of the Miura Roadster, Bertone SpA (who painted the car in the first place) will be involved. One of their original bodyshop people remains on staff today, and one way or another using their origional color charts, the correct color will be determined. After all, I went through the same process with my Miura SV 4884 involving Bertone SpA's original red colors (all 17 of them!), and I remain satisfied that the orange-red we arrived at is the correct color.
3. - No, I do not believe the color as represented in the Coltrin/Marchet book is an accurate representation. Im sure youd agree that pictures never are, and you suggest this yourself.

I know everyone is in anticipation of this car's future and legacy, and the suggestions are flowing in.
But lets remember, as they say: "Opinions are like belly buttons....everybody's got one" The point being, there is really only ONE man that determine's the fate of this car - its owner. Thankfully, Im assured that he will do this historical Miura justice. He certainly has the resources to do as such, please take it from me. Lets wait and see how the restoration of this car unfolds. Im off to Italy to help with it, and Ill be sure to report.

Joe
www.lamborghiniregistry.com
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Youre right on both counts:
- It is indeed a one-off showcar, and in fact will mostly remain a showcar after its restoration (Pebble Beach, etc)
- Any truly one-off object is truly worth what someone will willingly pay for it. The current owner didnt even know it was available and took just a week to decide to get it over the Christmas period. So the market continues to confound us, but the new owner thinks its worth MUCH more than he paid for it and is thrilled with the purchase. He says that he saw a one-of-several 275 GTB Nart Spyder sell for almost $4 million and so his $1 million for his one-and-only is a snip to him. That having been said, what do we know???
Joe

 

Nice job with your site Phillipe, a labor of love Im sure. I dig the Espada too...
Joe

 

Joe B's fabulous Miura SV has been nicely refurbished by Joe Nastasi himself. The last 5 years has seen half-a-dozen SVs head to the USA from Europe.

Joe
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Ferruccio Lamborghni's own Miura SV 5028 still survives in original configuration (although it could do with a refurbishment, judging by the last time I saw it), unique 'eyelashes' and all, still sporty in its classic red with gold trim livery. The yellow car is the factory's ex-Walter Wolf 5092 also pictured at a recent outing...

Joe
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Thanks to you in Anchorage Alaska (!), and thanks all posters...

Joe

 

Emilio,
Thanks for sharing.
Its always cool to see Lamborghini's with local Bologna plates.
MY LP400 lived in Bologna just before coming to the USA and I have its Bologna plates - the old black Italian plates add a touch of authenticity to the cars, and are just so cool to see.

Joe

 

Grazie, grazie...

 

I saw a poll of classic car collectors (www.fast-autos.net, I think) that rated the Miura SV as more desireable than the much-vainted Ferrari 275 GTB/4 or the Mercedes Gullwing today, by quite a margin too.
Dont know if theyll be $2 million, but.... getting cheaper? I doubt it.
On that note, can anyone find me a nice completely restored (by Bobileff please...) P400SV? I have a desperate man...

Joe