In an act of preservation over perfection, collector Georg Gebhard has uncovered a vibrant, living history hidden beneath the surface of his 1966 Lamborghini Miura—by hand-sanding its paint, layer by layer.
The car in question is no ordinary Miura. It’s the first fully built prototype, unveiled by Lamborghini at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, where it appeared in a striking bright orange finish. But as Gebhard discovered, that was only one chapter in the Miura’s decades-long visual evolution.
Rather than repainting the car during restoration, Gebhard opted to slowly hand-sand the bodywork, revealing a spectacle of more than 20 historic color layers. The result is a Miura unlike any other—every panel a canvas of swirling hues that together tell the car’s story. This masterpiece made its public debut at the 2024 Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705, turning heads not just for its provenance, but for its striking, unfinished-yet-complete appearance.
Originally shown in orange, the car had previously worn metallic green and white, as Lamborghini cycled through liveries for press events and promotional materials. Over the years, additional shades were applied—including blue, gold, red, and various greens—each layer preserved beneath the next.
“No two surfaces match,” Gebhard says. “Each piece of the body tells a different part of the car’s life.”
Notably, the rear tailgate retains its Geneva orange, while the engine cover features a kaleidoscope of colors and exposed layers. Patches of red, yellow, white, and blue appear in unpredictable patterns across the car’s body.
Despite the patina-like exterior, this Miura is mechanically flawless and its interior fully restored, blending originality with high functionality. Gebhard, who acquired the car in 2021, spent two years overseeing its transformation.
By embracing imperfection and allowing the Miura’s storied past to remain visible, Gebhard has created something rare in the classic car world: a vehicle that wears its history not just in records, but on its skin.