When the Lamborghini Miura made its debut in 1966, the car was a perfect union of futuristic styling and cutting-edge engineering. The model began life as an after-hours exercise by Bob Wallace and Paolo Stanzani, as well as Giampaolo Dallara (of Ferrari 250 GTO fame), with an engine designed by Giotto Bizzarrini. Within the space of a year the quartet’s revolutionary design was ready to be shown—initially, in chassis form—featuring a transversely arranged, mid-mounted V-12 sharing its casting with a compact five-speed transaxle, neatly arranged for optimal balance and a low centre of gravity.

The Miura’s function was equally matched by its form, executed by a 22-year-old Marcello Gandini during his time at Carrozzeria Bertone. The Italian designer penned the now-famous design that was both deeply attractive and menacingly purposeful; headlamp surrounds that evoked eyelashes, doors that—when opened—conjured the image of a raging bull’s horns, and a wild interior unlike anything previously seen on a production car.

The Miura would go through several changes throughout its eight-year production life, but it was the first edition—the P400—that cemented the model’s reputation as the greatest supercar of its era. The first 120-or-so Miura chassis were constructed from thinner steel, and remain highly prized for their purity of design and lighter construction.

Delivered to the Italian Lamborghini Agent S.E.A. on 5 September 1968 and registered with the Roman targa “D29122”, chassis number 3645 had left the Sant’Agata Bolognese production line with its Bertone body coated in the fabulous shade of Bleu Miura over a Skay Senape interior. This was an extremely rare configuration, with factory records indicating just 37 P400s painted in this colour.

Sold new to its first owner, Gian Giacomo Paladino of Rome, later that month, this Miura later changed hands and was acquired by Lamberto Genesi. Returning to S.E.A. in November 1969, chassis number 3645 was sold to Mario Vanoli in Como. In May 1970, the Miura changed hands again, being registered to Maria Monastero, who retained the car until May 1982. Later repainted in Rosso Miura, in 2009 this Lamborghini was offered for sale at auction, reportedly having the engine upgraded to S-specification, with the bodywork painted in Blu Sera. Later exported to the Middle East, chassis number 3645 was acquired by the consigning owner in 2018, who decided to return this iconic Lamborghini to its factory-correct colour specification.

Sent to the renowned Italian workshop Scartapatti in 2018, chassis number 3645 was subject to a complete bare-metal concours restoration. The quality of the work speaks for itself with a restoration photobook on file documenting the stages from when the car arrived, to it being stripped back to bare metal, then the application of the fresh Bleu Miura paint, a complete revision of the running gear and engine, a new interior and then the final assembled product. The team at Scartapatti worked tirelessly to focus on the finer details during the restoration and the keen eyed will notice this; even down to the correct Fiam stickers on the airbox. Completed in 2021, this Miura now presents wonderfully in its factory-correct colour combination of Bleu Miura over a Skay Senape interior.

As one of just 37 examples P400 built in Bleu Miura, chassis 3645 is a stunning example of Lamborghini’s most iconic model, and with its matching-numbers engine and resplendent concours restoration, the Miura awaits its next owner for an exciting new chapter.