Every now and then, a car story comes along that feels like it’s been plucked from a movie. This one’s about a Lamborghini Miura SV, a car so rare and special it was hidden away in a sealed room in an old Italian palazzo for decades. Since 1975, the icon termed “the most beautiful car ever made” has not seen the light of day, until now.
This is as good as barn finds get.
1975 Lamborghini Miura hidden behind brick for decades has been revealed / Simon Kidston
A Miura’s Long-Lost Tale
This Miura SV is no ordinary Lamborghini. It’s one of only two ever painted in Bruno Metallizzato, a deep metallic bronze, and its Havana leather interior is just as unique. Bought in 1975 for 7,500,000 Lire (about $11,000 USD back then), the car spent 45 years hidden from the world, lovingly preserved but deliberately hidden. Its owner, a private man with a love for rare cars, turned down offer after offer to sell it.
The late owner’s passing in April 2023 marked a turning point. His family, protective of the car’s legacy, had sealed it away behind brick walls to prevent theft. Enter Simon Kidston, renowned for his expertise in all things Miura, who led the effort to uncover and preserve this extraordinary vehicle, where its beauty and story could be appreciated and shared once more.
“This was one of those chases that seemed to last forever,” Kidston reflected. “The effort was worth it, ensuring the car stayed in Italy and landed with someone who truly appreciates its history.”
Preserved, Not Restored
kept just as it is, cigarette burns on the seat, traces of hair gel on the headliner, and all. These marks tell the story of the life it lived, making it a true time capsule. Still wearing its original Italian license plates, it will stay in its home country, driven and enjoyed by its new owner, a decision Kidston believes the late owner would have approved of.
“The late owner of this Miura SV must have been great at poker as for years he played all the dealers, brokers and collectors who knew the car off against each other with “When the time comes, of course you’ll be the one…The day after we pulled the car out of its resting place we started getting calls and e-mails from people who had seemingly missed it and wanted to know if it could be bought. Some were actually quite unpleasant when they found out it wasn’t for sale, but we’re pleased that the effort finally paid off, that the car will stay in Italy and be carefully preserved rather than restored. And that it’s going to someone proper, who will drive the Spinto Veloce out of it. I think the late owner would approve.”2
What Makes the Miura So Special?
When the Lamborghini Miura debuted in 1966, it changed the car world forever. It was the first supercar with a mid-engine layout, a design that’s now standard for high-performance cars. The Miura was sleek, fast, and revolutionary—a perfect mix of beauty and power.
Marcello Gandini, working for design house Bertone, gave the Miura its signature look. From its flowing curves to its pop-up headlights, it turned heads wherever it went. But it wasn’t just pretty; under the hood, a transversely mounted 4.0-liter V12 engine made it the fastest production car of its time, capable of 174 mph (280 km/hr) and 350-385 horsepower.
Ferruccio Lamborghini himself initially viewed the project as a mere marketing tool but was swayed by the innovative design. Lamborghini’s team, led by engineers Gian Paolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani, and Bob Wallace, then worked in secret to create the P400 prototype that would become the Miura.
Its name was inspired by a famed line of Spanish fighting bulls, which some say were to reflect the car’s raw yet refined power.
The Miura in Pop Culture
Over the years, the Miura has become a cultural icon. It starred in the opening scene of The Italian Job (1969), cruising through the Alps before its dramatic end. Its unmistakable V12 engine even found its way into music, revving in the background of Van Halen’s “Panama.”
Celebrities flocked to the Miura, too. Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Rod Stewart, Eddie Van Halen, Twiggy, and Peter Sellers were just a few who owned one. But the appeal didn’t stop in the 20th century, most recently Lando Norris was spotted cruising the streets of Monaco in his midnight blue Lamborghini Miura. The McLaren Formula 1 Driver bought his P400 Miura in late 2023 for between $1.8 million to $2+ million.
McLaren Formula 1 Driver Lando Norris with his Midnight Blue Lamborghini Miura P400.
Models and Milestones
Lamborghini built 764 Miura’s between 1966 and 1973, split into three versions: the P400, the P400S, and the top-tier P400SV. Each brought more power and refinement, with the SV reaching 385 horsepower and featuring wider rear tires’, electric windows and improved handling.
Above and Below: Ferruccio Lamborghini with the first Miura / Lamborghini
Even today, the Miura is considered one of the most beautiful cars ever made. The rediscovery of this hidden Miura SV adds another chapter to the car’s legendary story. It’s a reminder of why the Miura remains one of the most celebrated cars in not just Lamborghini’s history but the entire automotive industries’ history.