Barn find of the year? Completely original 1969 Lamborghini Miura is expected to sell for £1MILLION at a London auction in October

  • The 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S Coupe has been described as a 'time capsule' example
  • It's in preserved condition boasting the paint, trim and mechanical parts it left the factory with 50 years ago
  • Pictures show the odometer reading just 29,020 kilometres covered - which is a mere 18,032 miles
  • RM Sotheby's described it as an 'ultimate prize' for collectors ahead of its sale at Olympia in West Kensington

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The Lamborghini Miura is widely regarded as the original supercar. And one that's believed to be the most original to remain in existence is going under the hammer in London in October.

The car in question, a 1969 P400 S, has been stored in a barn in the Black Forest, southwest Germany, for the last four years - and in that period has accumulated a fair bit of grime and dust. 

But what lies beneath the dirt has never been touched. Described as a 'time capsule' example of the legendary Lambo, it has been preserved in unrestored condition boasting the paint, trim and mechanical parts it left the factory with 50 years ago.

Preserved icon: This 1969 Lamborghini Miura has been found in a barn having been stored following the death of its owner in 2015. It's believed to be one of the only remaining examples of the supercar to still be in almost original condition

Preserved icon: This 1969 Lamborghini Miura has been found in a barn having been stored following the death of its owner in 2015. It's believed to be one of the only remaining examples of the supercar to still be in almost original condition

RM Sotheby's will offer the bright yellow Miura to collectors with no reserve on 24 October at its London sale hosted at Olympia in West Kensington.

The auction house believes it is one of the last remaining examples in an entirely original state, which is why it expects a bidding war that will push the price to a figure between £800,000 and £1million.   

Given the model's prestige - which was boosted by its appearance in the opening scenes of the 1969 film The Italian Job - Hagerty Classics, which provides vintage car valuations in the UK, says a 'concours' condition version of the Miura P400 S is worth up to £963,000 in today's market. 

However, the value of this example - chassis number 4245 - is likely to be inflated by the fact it hasn't been modified or given a new lick of paint in its half-century existence.

It's recently been recovered from storage in a barn where it's been kept among clutter including an old telephone and a grille from a vintage Citroen, with breeze blocks stopping it from rolling forward. 

Sotheby's says it's an 'incredible car' with a history that can be traced back to the original owner.

It was recovered from storage. It had been kept in a unit among clutter including an old telephone and a grille from a vintage Citroen, with breeze blocks stopping it from rolling forward

It was recovered from storage. It had been kept in a unit among clutter including an old telephone and a grille from a vintage Citroen, with breeze blocks stopping it from rolling forward

The car in question is a Lamborghini Miura P400 S Coupe that left the factory in 1969. The Miura is considered the original supercar and famously featured in the opening scenes of The Italian Job

The car in question is a Lamborghini Miura P400 S Coupe that left the factory in 1969. The Miura is considered the original supercar and famously featured in the opening scenes of The Italian Job

The car could so with a good clean inside but shows few signs of wear and tear and remains totally original

The car could so with a good clean inside but shows few signs of wear and tear and remains totally original

That lucky individual was advertising executive Walter Becker from Nürnberg in Germany, who became the registered keeper in 1971, though only retained the Miura for three years.

'A wealthy socialite, the car remained in his hands until 1974 when it was sold to Hans-Peter Weber, who, along with his brother, were amateur racing drivers who competed regularly in Porsche 911s during the 1960s and 70s,' RM Sotheby's explained.

'In 1974, the brothers were keen to buy the ultimate supercar of the period and set about finding a Miura. On finding the "Giallo Flay" yellow Miura P400 S in Nürnberg, they immediately purchased the car from the eccentric Becker, who seemingly had a large car collection and who sold them the car whilst wearing his silk bathrobe!'

The 'Giallo Flay' yellow paintwork has not been touched in the 50 years since it left the Sant'Agata Bolognese facility near Modena in 1969

The 'Giallo Flay' yellow paintwork has not been touched in the 50 years since it left the Sant'Agata Bolognese facility near Modena in 1969

Sotheby's says it's an 'incredible car' with a history that can be traced back to the original owner - an advertising executive called Walter Becker from Nürnberg in Germany, who became the registered keeper in 1971

Sotheby's says it's an 'incredible car' with a history that can be traced back to the original owner - an advertising executive called Walter Becker from Nürnberg in Germany, who became the registered keeper in 1971

It has the original 4.0-litre V12 engine, which doesn't show any signs of ever being rebuilt. Lamborghini claims - at the time of launch - the motor produced 370bhp, which was good enough for the Miura to accelerate from a standstill to 62mph in 4.5 seconds and to a top speed of 177mph

It has the original 4.0-litre V12 engine, which doesn't show any signs of ever being rebuilt. Lamborghini claims - at the time of launch - the motor produced 370bhp, which was good enough for the Miura to accelerate from a standstill to 62mph in 4.5 seconds and to a top speed of 177mph

According to the lot description, Weber always kept the car in 'pristine condition' throughout his ownership, only using the high-performance Miura for special occasions.

Having tracked down his nephew, he recalled his uncle visiting his home at the foot of the Schauinsland mountain close to the south west border of Germany. 

Approaching via a narrow valley, the nephew explained: 'Whenever my uncle, Hans-Peter, arrived with his Miura, we could hear him minutes before as the sound of the engine was travelling fast.'

Hans-Peter Weber kept the car until he passed away in 2015, at which time it is believe the Miura was still in running condition.

Since then it has been stored in a friend's barn in Germany, where it has been left untouched for the last four years with the odometer reading just 29,020 kilometres covered - which is a mere 18,032 miles.

On average, that works out at the car being driven 360 miles each of the 50 years since it was made. 

The odometer reading says it has covered just 29,020 kilometres - which is a mere 18,032 miles. On average, that works out at the car being driven 360 miles each of the 50 years since it was made

The odometer reading says it has covered just 29,020 kilometres - which is a mere 18,032 miles. On average, that works out at the car being driven 360 miles each of the 50 years since it was made

According to the lot description, the last owner, Hans-Peter Weber - who purchased the car in 1974 and had it until his death in 2015 - always kept the car in 'pristine condition' throughout his ownership, only using the vehicle for special occasions

According to the lot description, the last owner, Hans-Peter Weber - who purchased the car in 1974 and had it until his death in 2015 - always kept the car in 'pristine condition' throughout his ownership, only using the vehicle for special occasions

The 'Skay Blue' blue interior is as it was 50 years ago, with the part-cloth and leather seats having little to no tears or rips

The 'Skay Blue' blue interior is as it was 50 years ago, with the part-cloth and leather seats having little to no tears or rips

Everything about the car is entirely as it was when it left the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory near Modena in 1969.

That includes the paintwork, 'Skay Blue' blue interior and original 4.0-litre V12 engine, which doesn't show any signs of ever being rebuilt.  

Lamborghini claims - at the time of launch - the motor produced 370bhp, which was good enough for the Miura to accelerate from a standstill to 62mph in 4.5 seconds and to a top speed of 177mph. 

It also has the original German title from 1971, its original service book, as well as many period documents, invoices and the original correspondence with the Italian factory.

The only changes made to the car during its life were two front indicators and a set of Schroth harness seat belts.  

The only changes made to the car in the 50 years since it left the factory include two new front indicators

The only changes made to the car in the 50 years since it left the factory include two new front indicators

A set of Schroth racing-style harness seat belts are the only other modification to the vehicle to note, RM Sotheby's says

A set of Schroth racing-style harness seat belts are the only other modification to the vehicle to note, RM Sotheby's says

It also has the original German title from 1971, its original service book, as well as many period documents, invoices and the original correspondence with the Italian factory

It also has the original German title from 1971, its original service book, as well as many period documents, invoices and the original correspondence with the Italian factory

Maarten ten Holder, executive vice president and head of RM Sotheby's Europe, said it was a 'rare honour' to be able to offer a car as significant as a Miura P400 S in unrestored, original condition. 

'Any Miura S is rare and desirable in its own right, but the car we are selling in London is an opportunity that would be very hard to repeat,' he boasted.

'I think it’s fair to say that for many collectors an original Miura such as this, is the ultimate prize. 

'With new dates also announced for our 13th London sale, we are delighted to have this car as an early star lot and we are confident it will attract interest from around the globe.'

The auction house describe the sale as a 'rare honour' and the chance to own the car 'an opportunity that would be very hard to repeat'

The auction house describe the sale as a 'rare honour' and the chance to own the car 'an opportunity that would be very hard to repeat'

The car will need a little TLC to make the most of its condition, but the buyer will likely want to keep it as original as possible to preserve its value

The car will need a little TLC to make the most of its condition, but the buyer will likely want to keep it as original as possible to preserve its value

The value of this example - chassis number 4245 - is likely to be inflated by the fact it hasn't been modified or given a new lick of paint in its half-century existence. RM Sotheby's says it should fetch between £800,000 and £1,000,000

The value of this example - chassis number 4245 - is likely to be inflated by the fact it hasn't been modified or given a new lick of paint in its half-century existence. RM Sotheby's says it should fetch between £800,000 and £1,000,000

Earlier this year, Lamborghini confirmed that it had certified the original Miura that was used in opening credits of The Italian Job after it went off the radar shortly after filming was completed in 1968. 

Lamborghini's Polo Storico heritage department ratified the Miura P400 - chassis number 3586 0 - as the original car used for the driving scenes (not the one that was pushed off the side of the mountain, which was a pre-crashed Miura that was already written off) in the Paramount Pictures film in May. 

Currently part of The Kaiser Collection of Vaduz (Liechtenstein), it's not offered for sale, though classic car experts believe it would fetch more than £2million if it was put on the market today. 

The car will be sold at the London event in Kensington and is one of just two lots announced for the event in October so far

The car will be sold at the London event in Kensington and is one of just two lots announced for the event in October so far

Maarten ten Holder, executive vice president and head of RM Sotheby’s Europe, said: 'I think it's fair to say that for many collectors an original Miura such as this, is the ultimate prize'

Maarten ten Holder, executive vice president and head of RM Sotheby’s Europe, said: 'I think it's fair to say that for many collectors an original Miura such as this, is the ultimate prize'

Earlier this year, Lamborghini confirmed that it had certified the original Miura that was used in opening credits of The Italian Job after it went off the radar shortly after filming was completed in 1968
The current owner has no desire to sell it
Slide me

Earlier this year, Lamborghini confirmed that it had certified the original Miura that was used in opening credits of The Italian Job after it went off the radar shortly after filming was completed in 1968. The current owner has no desire to sell it

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