The mid-engined V12 Bertone Berlinetta that defined the modern supercar.
Launched at the 1966 Geneva show, the Miura was the first mid-engined road supercar. Marcello Gandini's body for Bertone covered Giampaolo Dallara's transverse 4.0-litre V12, mounted directly behind the cabin. Across the P400, P400 S and P400 SV (and a tiny number of Jota and SVJ derivatives), the Miura was produced until 1973.
It is one of the most important post-war Italian cars: visually decisive, mechanically pioneering and limited in production.
The Miura defined the mid-engined supercar template. SV variants are blue-chip; original-matching-numbers cars at all levels reward provenance heavily.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| P400 | 1966–1969 | 275 | Earliest version; 350 hp; shared engine/gearbox sump. |
| P400 S | 1968–1971 | 338 | 370 hp; vented brakes and revised cabin. |
| P400 SV | 1971–1973 | 150 | 385 hp; final and most desirable specification; later cars have separated engine and gearbox sumps. |
| Jota / SVJ | 1970–1973 | 6 | Lightweight competition derivatives; effectively unique cars. |
Start with identity, paperwork and originality. For the Lamborghini Miura, the strongest cars have a continuous ownership file, matching numbers where applicable, original manuals, invoices and evidence of work by recognised marque specialists. Polo Storico-style provenance, matching numbers, original colour, separated sump (SV only), front-pivoted door hinges (late) and continuous history matter sharply.
The Bizzarrini-Dallara V12 is robust when correctly rebuilt; sump arrangement (shared on P400/S, separated on SV), chain tensioners, cooling and gearbox synchros must be assessed. A proper pre-purchase inspection includes cold-start behaviour, leak-down or compression testing where appropriate, underbody photography, suspension and chassis-point inspection, brake condition and a road test long enough to expose heat-related faults. Deferred maintenance is almost always more expensive than buying a better-sorted car.
Use a paint-depth gauge, lift access and a specialist familiar with the model's factory seams and panel gaps. Collector value is dramatically affected by structural repairs, poor paintwork, corrosion, incorrect panels and missing factory trim. Documented cosmetic restoration is acceptable; concealed accident repair must be priced severely.
The SV is the collector apex (Bizzarrini-engineered split-sump and 385 hp); S cars are the most usable sweet spot; P400s are the entry point and reward originality. Specification, colour, transmission and limited-build variants move values significantly. Buy the best-documented example in the most desirable specification you can justify rather than a tired example of a rarer derivative that will need years of corrective work.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Budget annually even if the car is used sparingly. Fluids age, tyres date out, fuel systems suffer from ethanol, batteries fail and stored cars need exercise. A documented maintenance rhythm protects both reliability and resale value.
Miura-experienced specialists are mandatory; engine, chassis and trim details are not interchangeable across variants. Before purchase, confirm parts availability for model-specific trim, suspension, fuel system, electronics and engine components. A cheap car waiting on unobtainable parts is rarely cheap in collector ownership.
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
The SV trades increasingly as a separate market from earlier P400/S cars, and within the SV cohort the late-build separated-sump cars are now a distinct sub-tier. Originality, documented mechanical work and continuous provenance dominate buyer focus.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-15 | Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach | 1972 Miura P400 SV | — | $3,415,000 Sold |
| 2024-08-17 | RM Sotheby's Monterey | 1971 Miura P400 S | — | $1,765,000 Sold |
| 2024-02-02 | RM Sotheby's Paris | 1968 Miura P400 | — | €1,125,000 Sold |
The Miura is a permanent fixture of the supercar canon. Matching-numbers SVs and separated-sump SVs should continue to lead; P400/S cars depend more heavily on condition and documentation.
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