Lamborghini Miura P400 S by Bertone, 1969
Lamborghini Miura
Lamborghini Miura•
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Chassis No.: 4245
Engine No.: 30419
Location: Kensington, London, United Kingdom
£1,248,125 GBP | Sold
- Offered from single-family ownership since 1974
- Supremely original throughout, including paintwork and interior
- Retains its original engine
- Accompanied by numerous period documents
Addendum
Please note that contrary to the catalogue description, the car does not have 100% original paint, portions of the front clamshell and rear bootlid have been repainted. Furthermore, the car is no longer accompanied by its original service book.
Arguably the most significant sports car of its era, the Miura catapulted Lamborghini into the same league as Ferrari and Porsche. It also made its designer, Bertone’s Marcello Gandini, a household name in the automotive industry. Heralded by many as the birth of the supercar, the Miura looked like nothing else on the road, and its performance was equally impressive. The Miura quickly won the hearts and minds of all who laid eyes upon its exotic shape. With its otherworldly looks and extraordinary performance, the Miura became
the
car of rock stars, playboys, and wealthy eccentrics alike.
The result of continuous improvement over the production run of the P400, the P400 S was first made available in 1968. With its engine now producing 370 bhp care of higher-lift camshafts with revised timings and the fitment of four Weber 40IDL-3L carburettors, the Miura S also boasted updated brakes to compensate for the additional performance, as well as a handful of other additional changes. Cosmetically, the P400 S gained higher-quality interior trim and a revised instrument layout with power windows.
Despite being completed by Lamborghini in September 1969, chassis number 4245 wasn’t acquired by its first owner, Walter Becker of Nürnberg, Germany, until 1971. Sporting Giallo Flay paintwork over a Skay Bleu interior, this Miura was designed for an eccentric personality, which Becker certainly was. The owner of an advertising agency, Becker had a reputation for being a playboy. He owned the Lamborghini until 1974, when it was purchased by its second owner, from whose family it is being offered today.
Hans Peter Weber of Freiburg was no stranger to fast cars. He previously owned a couple of Porsche 911s and often took them racing with his brother, Karl Gerhard Weber, in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Purchasing the Miura directly from Mr Becker, Karl remembers collecting the car from Becker, who was wearing a silk bathrobe, and that Becker had quite a sizable collection of cars.
As one would expect with such a spectacular car, the Miura was Hans Weber’s pride and joy and used only on special occasion. When asked about the car and his uncle, Hans Weber’s great-nephew recalled that ‘Whenever my uncle Hans-Peter arrived with his Miura, we could hear him minutes before, as the sound of the engine was traveling fast…I remember my uncle’s female co-drivers. They always had to wear a bright yellow top and blue jeans to match the colors of the car!’ Another vivid memory was of one occasion where the Miura went to visit Karl Weber’s wife’s family in Cremona, Italy. The family was thrilled with the car, and Karl commented that ‘We took the car for a jaunt with literally every member of the family, including my eighty-year-old grandfather.’
The Miura S would go on to be Hans Weber’s most cherished possession for just over four decades, until his passing in 2015. Driven and enjoyed up until his death, the car was picked up by his brother Karl and put into his barn, where it was placed in storage. The Miura has remained in storage and would require further servicing should its next owner seek to enjoy it on the open road.
Having been regularly maintained during Hans Weber’s ownership yet never fully restored, chassis 4245 remains in spectacular condition throughout. The car retains its original engine and still sports its original
Giallo Flay
paintwork. The original
Skay Bleu
interior presents beautifully, showing the attractive patina of 40 years of careful use. The only two deviations from original are the addition of front indicators and Schroth four-point seat belts. Importantly, a number of original documents accompany the car, such as the original 1971 German registration (
Pappdeckelbrief
), the original license plates from Mr Becker and Mr Weber’s ownerships, the original service book, as well as documents from Hans Peter Weber’s ownership, including correspondence with the Lamborghini factory.
Ownership of a Lamborghini Miura is a dream that few enthusiasts realize. With many examples driven hard by their fortunate owners when new, finding one in unrestored and highly original condition is exceedingly difficult. Finding such an example that has been preserved in exceptional original condition by just two careful owners from new is next to impossible. Undoubtedly one of the most remarkable examples offered in recent memory, this stunning Miura S would be a prized addition to any significant collection worldwide.
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/lf19/lots/r0008-1969-lamborghini-miura-p400-s-by-bertone/
Cost
6,063,736 AED
