Preserved original Lamborghini Miura tops RM Sotheby’s London sale

A highly original and well-preserved 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S hit the jackpot at RM Sotheby’s 13^th annual London auction, reaching a “stunning” £1.24 million ($1.59 million) after a round of frenzied bidding, the auction house reported.

The Miura led the £9.4 million ($12 million) auction total, during which 72 percent of the offering were sold.  All reported results include auction fees.

The auction, held October 24 in a new location at Olympia in West Kensington, also raised more than £500,000 ($641,000) to benefit the Trillion Trees environmental cause in the sale of the 9-vehicle Forests Collection charity consignment.

The two-owner Miura is “thought to be one of the last remaining examples to be preserved in largely original and unrestored condition,” according to an RM Sotheby’s new release.  The pre-sale estimated value was £800,000 to £1 million.

“This incredible car, chassis no. 4245, was sold to its second owner in 1974, remaining with his family until last night’s sale,” the news release says. “The car, which had most recently been stored in a German barn, was presented in its highly patinated Giallo Flay yellow paint with Skay Bleu blue interior, still fitted with its original engine.”

“The Lamborghini Miura sold well thanks to its exclusivity and rarity,” said Will Smith, auction manager for RM Sotheby’s London. “We are proud to have played host to the sale of the car as it changes hands for the first time in over 40 years.”

Other notable sales at the auction included a race-proven 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Rally, one of four Delta S4s to have won a World Rally Championship event, and restored to original specification, sold for £764,375 ($980,533); a restored 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series I  sold for £404,375  ($518,729); and a 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GT reached  £432,500 ($554,800).

A piece of British royalty, a 1984 Daimler Double Six Long-Wheelbase Saloon, once owned by Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II, exceeded its pre-auction estimate, selling for £80,500 ($103,265).

“We are delighted to have witnessed a highly successful auction at this year’s new Olympia location in London, proving that the classic car market is still strong for both buyers and sellers,” Smith added.

The top-10 results for RM Sotheby’s London auction were:

1. 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, £1,248,125 ($1.59 million)
2. 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Rally, £764,375 ($980,533)
3. 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GT, £432,500 ($554,800)
4. 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series I, £404,375 ($518,729)
5. 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder, £398,750 ($511,512)
6. 2018 Ferrari California T 70th Anniversary, £286,250 ($367,198)
7. 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition, £275,000 ($352,767)
8. 1973 Iso Grifo GL Series II, £230,000 ($295,000)
9. 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series, £224,250 ($287,665)
10. 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 CE 6.0 AMG ‘Hammer’, £207,000 ($266,000)

(All results include auction fees)

RM Sotheby’s finishes its 2019 calendar with its inaugural collector car auction in Abu Dhabi on November 30 at the Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates. For more information, visit the auction website.