From the vanishingly rare 150 Miura P400 SVs built, the exquisite car offered here was dispatched from the Lamborghini plant in Sant'Agata Bolognese on 4 December 1971. A late production example featuring the most sought-after configuration of a “split-sump” lubrication system and factory air conditioning, chassis number 4946 was destined for the United States. Handsomely specified in Rosso Corsa over a Bleu interior, it was delivered via the Modena Car dealership in New York City.

Although the P400 SV’s early history is largely unknown, it surfaced in the 1980s. Then based in California, it was owned by dentist Norman Baker. According to The Lamborghini Miura Register, by this time the exterior had been changed to a blue hue. Returning to Europe the following decade, the car was offered for sale in France and later in the Netherlands by the Very Superior Old Cars concern, having been owned by Peter Veegers and Paul VJ Koot, the former president of the Borrani wire wheel company and Carrozzeria Touring.

The Lamborghini was then acquired by a private museum collection in Portugal in 2003 and soon after it was changed to red. Come 2012 the P400 SV was sold via a dealer in Belgium and, with the help of leading marque authority Gary Bobileff, returned to the United States.

After recrossing the Atlantic, the Lamborghini was adjudged by Bobileff to be in fine fettle. To bring the car to its very best, however, chassis 4946 was then submitted to his Bobileff Motorcar Company in San Diego in California for a mechanical refresh. The P400 SV was also repainted in Rosso Corsa and the interior reupholstered in Bleu by Spinneybeck of New York, using a swatch of original leather. The brakes, front suspension, and instruments were rebuilt and the hydraulics overhauled (including the clutch master cylinder), plus the fuel lines were replaced and a new aluminium fuel tank installed.

Thanks to this meticulous attention, the Miura SV was duly crowned “Best Lamborghini” at Concorso Italiano’s Miura 50th Anniversary celebration held during the Monterey Classic Car Week in 2016. Such a prestigious accolade was true testament to this car’s innate quality, it not having required a full restoration to head the competition.

Offered today in its factory-correct colour scheme, this beautiful example of a Miura is made even more desirable by virtue of retaining its matching-numbers chassis, body, and 3.9-litre, transversely mounted V-12 engine. Accompanied by its books in their folios, a tool roll, spare wheel, and a reproduction fitted luggage set, this rare “split sump” example with air conditioning is without doubt among the most coveted Miura P400 SVs in existence.