When the Lamborghini Miura P400 debuted at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, it immediately signaled a bold new direction for the young Italian automaker. Founded in late 1963, Lamborghini was still in its infancy when three ambitious engineers—Gianpaolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani and Bob Wallace—developed the groundbreaking model under the leadership of Ferruccio Lamborghini. Their vision would become one of the most celebrated designs of the 1960s and a defining moment for the brand.
Conceived as an after-hours project, the Miura broke convention with a mid-engine layout that placed its V-12 powerplant transversely behind the driver. The 4.0-liter engine, officially displacing 3,929 cc, was mounted in a lightweight box-section chassis engineered with weight-saving perforations. The striking bodywork was penned by Bertone designer Marcello Gandini, who would later shape other Lamborghini icons including the Countach and Diablo.
The Miura evolved through several variants during its 1966 to 1973 production run, totaling about 763 examples. The original P400 saw roughly 275 units built, followed by the P400 S with 338 examples. The most coveted iteration, however, is the P400 SV, short for Superveloce, meaning super-fast. Produced from 1971 through 1973, approximately 150 SV models were constructed.
The SV distinguished itself with wider rear wheels and flared arches, revised taillights and the removal of the signature “eyelash” headlight trim found on earlier versions. Power increased by 15 horsepower to 380 hp, enabling a top speed exceeding 170 mph—remarkable performance for its era. The final 96 SV models featured a split-sump aluminum engine block separating engine and transmission lubrication, addressing durability concerns.
Long considered Lamborghini’s most collectible model, the Miura lagged behind Ferrari counterparts in market value for decades. That shifted around 2011 as prices surged. The Miura SV became the first Lamborghini to surpass $1 million at auction. Today, exceptional examples approach $4 million, including a 1971 Miura P400 SV that sold for $3.58 million at RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale in 2023.
As values continue to rise, the Miura P400 SV stands not only as a design landmark but as Lamborghini’s first true million-dollar classic.
Via RM Sotheby’s
Shawn Henry