Lamborghini Miura P400SV – #4976

by peter ruch Sunday 13 June, 2021 Published in radical-mag.com

Falsche Farbe, falscher Motor

690) Chassis-Nummer: 4976

Motoren-Nummer: 30698 (heute: 30692 – das wäre dann 685) 4992…)

Auslieferungsdatum: 28.02.1972

Auslieferung an: Modena Car

Original-Farbe: Argento

Interieur: nero

erster Besitzer: Hector Escamilla (1973, San Antonio)

weitere Besitzer: –

Auktion: Bonhams, Scottsdale 2019, Schätzpreis 1’700’000 bis 2’100’000 Dollar, nicht verkauft, angeboten mit folgendem Text: «Lamborghini is said to have stated that from the outset the SV was to be strictly for VIP clients, not to mention by special order only. In the end this accounted for a tally of just 142 automobiles, putting its rarity quotient right up there with some of the most collectible cars. A mere twenty-one were delivered to the US—of which just thirteen were factory-equipped with the ultimate split-sump equipped engine. Such low production figures have always made these cars an exceedingly rare commodity in the US. The spectacular example offered here, chassis no. 4976, is indeed one of these rare and most desirable, split-sump, US-market specification models. According to factory records on file, 4976 was completed to Miura SV specifications at the Sant’Agata Lamborghini works during the fall and winter of 1971 and ’72. Destined for the US market, the SV was finished in the elegant Argento Indianapolis Metallizzato (Silver Metallic) exterior color—a color in which just three Miura SV’s where painted from new. The lower trim panel and the iconic alloy wheels were finished in a neatly contrasting, soft gold metallic color. The interior was trimmed in black leather over grey carpets, all of which remains intact and original in the car today, oozing with lovely patina. The optional extras installed on 4976 at the factory were seat belts, hexagonal wheel nuts, a radio with tape player, and the Borletti Air Conditioning system. All these desirable extras are still in situ on the car today. Factory records further note a first test drive on the Tangenziale motorway in Northern Sant’Agata was in very foggy weather, and that the finished Miura SV chassis no. 4976 was dispatched on February 28, 1972. Chassis no. 4976 was soon after shipped off to the United States, where Lamborghini’s USA concessionaire Modena Racing Company and Mr. Alfredo Pedretti would take delivery of the brand-new Supercar that Summer. During the following six to nine months, the engine was replaced with that of sister-car, Lamborghini Miura SV chassis no. 4992. This engine no. 30692—just six digits off engine no. 30698 which the SV sported in the first few months—remains in 4976 today. In April of 1973, just over a year after the new Miura SV was completed at the factory, it joined the exceptional collection of the consignor and singular owner of 45 years, of whom Bonhams is extremely honored to have been chosen to handle the sale of the car. Lovely Kodachrome photos of the Miura SV and the pioneering-collection of the consignor were taken in the 1970s, already including a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing and Roadster, Ferrari 275 GTB/4 and other, to-be, highly collectible motorcars. Letters in the history file between the consignor and Lamborghini S.p.A, reveal his interest in the purchase of an early Countach LP400 Periscopio, although he would retain the Miura SV, as that car’s design was timeless. Indeed, he was right! Apart from a 1979 repaint in a color much like the factory Miura SV color Blue Notte, 4976 remains in remarkably original and unmolested condition, with just over 18,200 miles recorded since new. The interior remains original, and ancillaries and options remain intact and on the car. A close inspection of the car’s chassis tub and body panels further reveals an original and undamaged car. The Bertone body number is found on the chassis tub, front and rear clips, both door handles, each of the six louvres over the engine compartment, and even on the trim panels. The glass has the correct stamps on it, and the chassis tag and stamped chassis number on the front cross member remain original and unaltered. This is without question a time-capsule Miura SV, emerging out of 45-year ownership. Benefitting from the ultimate and highly-desirable SV specification, factory split-sump engine, and US delivery since new (one of just thirteen) the sale of this most-collectible Lamborghini represents a very rare opportunity.»