To many, the introduction of the Lamborghini Miura heralded the birth of the “supercar.” Prior to its introduction in 1966, there were, of course, many cars that offered incredible levels of performance and exclusivity to the privileged few. However, none were quite like the Miura. It offered a thrilling combination of not only performance and tremendous speed, but also design and technical innovation that were meant to shock and awe.

Its stunning Bertone-crafted design was penned by Marcello Gandini, and the development team included two brilliant engineers that were privileged enough to work on the Miura at the start of their long careers, Gian Paolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani. Additionally, the Miura’s chassis was carefully tuned to provide excellent handling and control the Miura’s horsepower, which came at the hands of Bob Wallace, whose name would become inextricably linked with the company from Sant’Agata Bolognese. Its mid-engine layout revolutionized the industry, and while the Miura was the only performance car of its kind in production, other manufacturers, including Ferrari, would quickly follow suit to remain competitive against this talented upstart.

The year 1968 heralded the introduction of an updated Miura: the P400 S. This model retained the same gorgeous Bertone design penned by Gandini and featured the ongoing updates that were applied over the course of the production run of the original Miura P400. Visually, what differentiated the P400 S from the P400 was chromed headlight bezels set within the familiar “eyelashes,” as well as chrome-plated exterior window trim and the addition of an S badge to the rear.

Inside, the P400 S benefited from higher-quality interior trim throughout and a revised instrument layout with power windows. Similarly, changes followed for the drivetrain, which resulted in 20 more horsepower being coaxed from the Miura’s 4.0-liter V-12, bringing total output to 370 horsepower. This was possible thanks to the installation of higher-lift camshafts with revised timing, as well as four Weber 40IDL-3L carburetors. Additionally, the Miura’s splined driveshaft system was replaced with constant velocity joints. For the suspension, the Armstrong shocks were replaced by Koni shock absorbers.

Just like its predecessor, the P400 S’s performance was astounding. Road & Track tested a new Miura for their April 1970 issue and clocked a 5.5-second 0–60 mph time, as well as a top speed of 168 mph, while a later test by Autocar magazine that August cited a top speed of 172 mph. A few miles per hour here and there were of no consequence—the P400 S was, in its time, one of the fastest roadgoing automobiles on the market, period, and faster than many other sports cars to be built in years to come. It was a world-beater.

P400 S 4070

Now offered from 46 years of continuous residence within the walls of Porche Foreign Auto, this very early, unrestored, and substantially intact 1969 Miura P400 S has remained off the road since March 1978. It was acquired locally by Rudi Klein following a front-end collision, and has remained entirely untouched between then and July 2024, when RM Sotheby’s staff arrived on-site to catalogue and photograph the entire collection.

Originally delivered new to a noted Lamborghini customer in Italy on 20 May 1969, chassis 4070 was initially specified in Giallo Fly over a Bleu leatherette and cloth interior. Interestingly, the records of longtime Lamborghini employee Enzo Moruzzi note that 4070 was repainted by the factory in Bleu before delivery, and as such this rare Miura P400 S is believed to still wear its original, factory-provided paintwork and upholstery. The car’s original Jaeger metric instrumentation indicates that 4070 had traveled nearly 52,700 kilometers (~32,750 miles) between Italian, and later California-based, owners by the time of its traffic accident.

Importantly, 4070 retains its original, numbers-matching S-specification V-12 engine (number 30366), chassis, as well as its original bodywork minus the model’s distinctive front clamshell and rocker panel trim.

Ownership of a Lamborghini Miura is a dream that very few enthusiasts realize. Finding one of the scant 338 documented P400 S examples in totally unrestored and original condition is exceedingly difficult. With its established provenance and nearly half-century of slumber inside the extremely private environs of Rudi Klein’s personal stash of significant automobiles, chassis 4070 is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable Miura S examples offered in recent memory.

It deserves a brave new owner—one who is committed to restoring this incredible supercar to its former glory.