One to Buy: Eighth off the Production Line 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400
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Ferruccio Lamborghini established his car building firm to create the kind of discrete Grand Tourers favoured by most European industrialists of the time. However, some of his eager young engineers had different ideas and, in early 1965, they secretly began to develop a mid-engined model that ultimately took Automobili Lamborghini down a completely different path than its founder had envisaged.
Having appeared in naked rolling chassis form at the Turin Motor Show in November 1965 where it caused a major stir, the new mid-engined Lamborghini broke cover in fully clothed trim four months later. With its radical Bertone bodywork now in place, the newly christened Miura became an overnight sensation.
The first lucky customers began to take delivery of their Miuras during spring 1967 and at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale scheduled for August 13th through 15th, one of those will be going under the hammer: chassis 01024.
Considered the third production Miura built after two prototypes and three pre-production cars had emerged, chassis 01024 featured an array of details unique to these very early examples such as a wooden buck-hammered body, nine as opposed to five centre console warning lights, no seatbelts or back-up lights, numerous body stampings that did not appear on later Miuras and the “010” VIN prefix used for approximately eleven cars.
The first of 26 P400s finished in Bleu Miura paint, chassis 01024 also featured attractive Fintapelle Senape upholstery. Following completion, April 26th 1967 saw it dispatched to the Milan-based dealership, Lamborcar, from where it was delivered to its first owner, an individual named Cappe.
Believed to have been exported to the United States early in its life, little is known of chassis 01024’s subsequent history until 1992, at which point the by now red car was acquired by a doctor from Santa Barbara, California, who retained it until 2016.
Upon acquisition, chassis 01024’s new owners immediately sent the car to the Miura experts at the Bobileff Motorcar Company. According to RM Sotheby’s:
“Chassis number 01024 was comprehensively refurbished to factory standards over the next four years. The restoration included reinforcement of the internal frame gussets and upgrades to the electrical system and fire safety system. The work was undertaken in consultation with the late former Lamborghini development engineer, Claudio Zampolli, to ensure optimal execution. Additionally, the engine and gearbox received a split-sump modification similar to the design of later cars, which substantially improves component longevity by eliminating shared lubrication.”
“The refurbishment also included a return to the beautiful factory-original color combination of Bleu Miura over Senape. Because the owners wished to create an even more beautiful and elegant interior, and because Lamborghini factory logs record the car was originally upholstered in Pelle, a choice was made to re-trim the cockpit and seats in a light ivory leather, with complementary fabric inserts woven by the original period OEM vendor, and Senape carpeting. The dashboard, which was trimmed in black leather when the consignors discovered the car, and which they believe to be original, was reupholstered in Nero, making for a magnificent interior livery.”
Following completion, in April 2022 chassis 01024 was issued Lamborghini Polo Storico certification. The car went on to claim Best Lamborghini at the 2024 Concorso Italiano and Best Modern Car at The Napa Event Celebrating Motorsports in September 2025.
