1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV

Tony’s Take: From 1971 to 1973, Lamborghini Miura buyers could special order an upgraded P400. Only 150 customers pulled the trigger on the SV (Spinto Veloce//Super Veloce) – making it the rarest and thus most desirable of the car’s 763-unit run.

Of course, not all P400 SV’s are alike. Chassis no. 4926 was born with air conditioning and split-sump lubrication (fitted to the last 96 cars). It also emerged from the factory in Giallo Sole (sun yellow) over Nero leather. You may notice that it’s now Blu Notte over light gray.

Normally, a color change dings value. Not this time. Not after RM Sotheby’s says “the Miura SV underwent “a four-year restoration [that] reportedly addressed every mechanical and cosmetic aspect of the car, including a complete rebuild of the V-12 engine by Bob Wallace, the former racing driver and Lamborghini factory test driver/engineer.”

The word “reportedly” is a little worrying in this context, but I’m here to report this numbers-matching chassis, engine and body Miura will get all the money.

Design

The Miura came from the pen of Bertone’s Marcello Gandini. The Italian designer famously stated that his design interests were “focused on vehicle architecture, construction, assembly, and mechanisms – not appearance.” Form follows function? Maybe so. But there are less attractive Italian supermodels.

The SV cranked that up to 11. “The main focus was a new rear suspension that made the car much wider,” lambocars.com reveals. “Longer wishbones added 1.5 inches of length. Furthermore, larger Campagnolo cast magnesium wheels were added with wider Pirelli Cinturato tires.”

“Visually, it’s famous for the absence of the famous eyelashes around the headlamps,” autoevolution.com writes. “But it also featured slightly larger daytime running lights and bigger taillights with a three-piece design. The rear fenders were enlarged to accommodate wider rear wheels, so the SV had a more planted and aggressive stance.”

Engine

I doubt the Miura’s 3.9-liter V12 engine looked that good straight out of the [factory] gate, but it sure is a work of art now. Anyway, the S engine upgrade featured larger intake manifolds and upgraded camshafts. The SV added upgraded cam timing and revised those gorgeous Weber carburetors.

Performance

It’s hard to overstate the magnificence of the Miura’s top speed. The Lambo was the world’s fastest production car for 14 years, from 1967 to 1982 (with a one-year interruption by the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona). It was truly the world’s first supercar.

Comps

Prediction