Beschreibung:

Ferruccio Lamborghini's bold challenge to Ferrari began in 1964 with the 350GT, but it was the arrival of the Miura - arguably the founder of the supercar class - that established Lamborghini as a major manufacturer of luxury sporting cars. The Miura project first surfaced as a rolling chassis displayed at the 1965 Turin Motor Show, but was not expected to become a production reality. Nevertheless, by the time of the Geneva Salon the following year, the first completed car was unveiled to a stunned press and public. Designed by Giampaolo Dallara, the Miura carried its transversely mounted engine amidships in a box-section platform chassis, the latter clothed in stunning coupe coachwork styled by Bertone's Marcello Gandini The Miura used the 4-litre version of Lamborghini's four-cam V12 and, with 350bhp available, was capable of shattering performance, a top speed of 180mph being claimed. Initial development concentrated on chassis strengthening, improvements being consolidated in the more powerful 'S' version announced in 1968. This process of making the Miura faster yet more durable reached its zenith in 1971 with the arrival of the 'SV'. Apart from the deletion of its distinctive 'eyelash' headlight embellishments and changes to the rear lights, the body remained largely unaltered apart from slightly flared wheelarches accommodating wider tyres. In addition there were cosmetic changes to the interior and a more powerful (385bhp) engine, not to mention a significant improvement in build quality. Approximately 150 SVs had been made when Miura production ceased in January 1973. There was also, briefly, a solitary competition version - the 'Jota' - produced by Lamborghini development engineer Bob Wallace. Sadly, it was destroyed in an accident in 1972. This particular Miura has a colourful and interesting history. It is titled and identified as a 1970 Miura S, chassis ‘4521’, engine no. ‘30495’, but of course appears to all intents and purposes an SV. One might easily assume it is an S which has been upgraded to SV specification, but inspection of the engine block shows date stampings of 22nd July 1970 on one head, 9th October 1970 on the other, and 28th September 1970 on the block, foundry dates consistent with the construction of SV ‘4868’ a few months later, long after ‘4521’ had left the factory in March 1970. Factory records show that chassis ‘4868’ was supplied new on 8th April 1971 in red/black to Spinelli, an Italian dealer. We understand from French Lamborghini guru Edmond Ciclet that SV ‘4868’ was later owned by a French client when stolen during a trip to Italy, only to be recovered years later. The correct identity of ‘4868’ had been disguised and so the papers of ‘4521’, recently scrapped, were used to re-register the car. This story is substantiated by several websites and other sources including of course Mr Ciclet who has no financial interest in this car. Then painted yellow, the Miura spent several years stored in Monte Carlo before acquisition by well-known local collector (and long term Miura SV owner) Yves Saguato, from whom it passed to French dealer Jean Guikas and thence to the present owner in 2004. Mr Guikas testifies that with the help of forensic scientists he was able to view the original SV numbering on both the chassis and engine of the car, although the S numbers have been left undisturbed. The Miura was immediately sent to Bacchelli & Villa (Carrozzeria Autosport) in Modena for repainting in the model’s typical Arancio (orange) and retrimming in black leather. After restoration the car took part in the 2006 Miura Anniversary Tour from Gstaad to Monte Carlo which it completed without incident. Since then this handsome Lamborghini Miura has seen occasional use but has wanted for nothing. With recent SV sales documented in the $800,000-900,000 range (both privately and at auction), this car offers the SV experience at a price level which, by virtue of the car’s paperwork and numbering, represents a