1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV
- Engine
- Transversely mounted 3.9L V12, 385 bhp, dry sump, paired with five-speed manual
- Colour
- Red over beige
The Lamborghini Miura P400 SV, often cited as the world's first supercar, represents the final and most refined evolution of Marcello Gandini's landmark mid-engined design. Completed in December 1971, this example passed through the hands of legendary Lamborghini engineer and US factory representative Claudio Zampolli, who equipped it with a rare factory-specification dry sump lubrication system sourced from Lamborghini — an upgrade originally associated with the Jota — along with wide sand-cast magnesium rear wheels. It has resided in a single private collection since approximately 1979.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,391,000
- 1971-12-10 →Factory deliveryMr. Stelpartial documentation
Original purchaser based in Udine, Italy. Car was delivered in Miura Green with black leather interior.
- → 1977Private saleDennis Christianssenpartial documentation
Southern California-based buyer who acquired the car with assistance from Claudio Zampolli, then the factory's US representative. Car retained black interior and red repaint.
- 1977 →Private saleClaudio Zampollipartial documentation
Renowned Lamborghini engineer who purchased the car from Christianssen, then undertook significant mechanical upgrades including a dry sump conversion using a spare factory SV block and sand-cast magnesium rear wheels.
- 1979 →Private salePrivate collectionpartial documentation
Long-term single-collection ownership beginning around 1979, during which the car remained largely as configured by Zampolli, including the dry sump system and beige retrim.
- Date unknownPrivate saleLamborghini dealer in Padovapartial documentation
Intermediate custodian between first owner and the US-bound sale. Car was repainted red, likely at the factory, during this period.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1978Engine rebuildClaudio Zampolli's workshop
Engine was removed from the car with the intention of converting it to a dry sump lubrication system. The original engine was subsequently stolen from the workshop. A replacement SV block and the requisite parts for a factory-specification dry sump system — originally associated with the Jota — were sourced directly from Lamborghini and installed.
The dry sump system was a rare factory upgrade not fitted to any production Miura SV; Zampolli's factory connections enabled sourcing of authentic components.
- 1978ModificationClaudio Zampolli's workshop
A pair of 10-inch-wide sand-cast magnesium wheels were fitted to the rear axle, a recognised post-production factory upgrade.
- —BodyworkLamborghini factory (probable)
Car was repainted from the original Miura Green to red, most likely carried out at the factory, while the black leather interior was retained.
Timing is noted as prior to the car's arrival in the United States, likely during or shortly after its time with the Padova dealer.
- —Bodywork
Car was resprayed and the interior retrimmed, resulting in the current red exterior with beige leather cabin and brown carpet.
Precise date unknown; described as having been completed many years prior to the catalogue date.
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