Is This the World's Most Valuable Lamborghini?

July 9, 2015
Story By
John Brooks

Lamborghini Miura P400 Roadster

Most folks will agree that any Lamborghini is a pretty special car (ok, ok, the LM 001/2 Jeeps are the exceptions that proves this rule). However, to paraphrase Orwell, "All Lamborghinis are equal, some are more equal than others," and this unique vehicle would most certainly fall into that category. First unveiled to world at the 1968 Brussels Motor Show, the Lamborghini Miura P400 Roadster is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful and desirable cars ever built.

The Miura was not a good choice of model for a soft top, the car had well documented issues with torsional rigidity, removing the roof would just exacerbate that problem. With this in mind the P400 Roadster had to be completely reworked by Bertone's Marcello Gandini, who strengthened the chassis and made substantial changes to the rear of the car.

In order to avoid potential turbulence at the proposed top speed of 186mph the angle of the windscreen was lowered, a spoiler was added at the rear, the engine louvers were taken away, and the exhaust re-routed.

The P400 Roadster was never intended for production, so no top or windows was ever made and the interior was very expensively trimmed in white leather with red carpets.

The pale metallic blue paint was also a talking point, the car causing a sensation at Brussels and later at the Geneva Salon, attracting many inquiries from potential customers but it would appear that there was not sufficient finance available to make development of the Roadster viable.

This car was sold to the International Zinc and Lead Development Association (ILZRO) who used it as an exhibition tool to demonstrate the properties of the metals they were keen to promote. With help from the factory and Bertone they changed the car and its color, renaming it to ZN 75.

The car passed through several owners after ILZRO until it was restored back to the original livery and specification. It reappeared in public at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The Lamborghini Miura P400 Roadster has had a few imitators based on coupes, but this car remains uniquely the only factory built example.

It is widely regarded as the arguably the most valuable Lamborghini of them all, even out ranking the original 350 GT. Whatever the truth of that claim it is simply stunning, and is one of Sant'Agata Bolognese's finest. (Additional photos: copyright and courtesy of Automobili Lamborghini)

Is This the World's Most Valuable Lamborghini?

Lamborghini Miura P400 Roadster

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