At Lamborghini’s Sant’Agata Bolognese headquarters in 1965, Gian Paolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani, and Bob Wallace—three of the company’s top engineers—put the finishing touches to a revolutionary prototype. It is unlikely that any of them could have anticipated the ensuing arms race that their incredible new Miura would spark over the coming decades. The mid-engine platform set a new standard for driving performance, leading the model to be retrospectively hailed as “the world’s first supercar”.

Debuting at the Turin Motor Show in November 1968, with production commencing the next month, the revised Miura P400 S most notably benefitted from reshaped combustion chambers, a quartet of Weber 40IDL-3L carburettors, and higher-lift camshafts. Combined with a rerouted exhaust system—which, as a bonus, improved luggage capacity—the 3.9-litre development of Giotto Bizzarini’s V-12 engine rose from 345 to 365 horsepower. Remaining in build through to March 1971, just 338 examples of the P400 S were completed.

Dispatched on 29 May 1969, the car offered here is an early specification P400 S. In essence a third-generation Miura, these machines featured solid, rather than vented, disc brakes, moved from black to chrome wiper arms and window surrounds, had stainless steel bezels around the headlights, all while retaining the model’s distinctive front eyelashes.

Relayed in The Lamborghini Miura Register, it is understood that the initial intention was for chassis number 4103 to be finished wearing Bianco Miura paintwork over a Gobi and Beige interior. However, the Bertone records were amended, with this car instead leaving the factory in the vibrant shade of Rosso Corsa while the cabin comprised Nero vinyl upholstery and a Beige headliner.

Chassis 4103 was delivered new in France via Voitures Paris Monceau. Detailed on period registration documents, which are available to view on file, the car was first owned by Mr Paul Ferrandi in the capital city and was registered for road use on 17 June 1969. The Lamborghini went back to Voitures Paris Monceau after 14 months, prior to being registered to the Maurice Dembiermont & Cie industrial manufacturer in Neuilly-sur-Seine on 4 September 1970. Returning to the supplying dealership for a third time, the Miura P400 S remained with Voitures Paris Monceau from 25 May 1971 and was deregistered the following month.

Subsequently, a deal was struck for the Miura with none other than René Arnoux. Renowned for his frenetic one-lap pace in qualifying, Arnoux had graduated to Formula 1 in 1978—contesting non-championship races with Automobiles Martini before starting six Grands Prix for the eponymous outfit owned by 1964 Drivers’ World Champion John Surtees. Both teams had been strapped for cash, but Arnoux secured a seat with Renault for 1979 as it stepped up to field two cars. Across four seasons, he snared four victories to earn a drive at Ferrari. In 1983, his first year with the team, he won three times (in Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands) only to miss out on title glory in the season-ending South African Grand Prix owing to engine failure.

Arnoux would register chassis 4103 for road use in Isère, southwest France, with the car assigned the number “400 VH 38”. Period images of Arnoux with the Miura P400 S indicate that he owned the car during his stint with Renault, at the turn of the 1980s. Reportedly, Arnoux submitted the Miura P400 S to the Lamborghini factory for a one-year restoration. Potentially a smart move for the good of his relationship with eventual team boss Enzo Ferrari, Arnoux sold the Lamborghini on.

Having since relocated to Switzerland, chassis 4103 heads to auction in Zurich offered in charmingly preserved condition. The car wears its factory colour scheme of Rosso Corsa over Nero vinyl and a Beige headliner. In addition, the Lamborghini retains its matching-numbers engine and the vast majority of its body panels. Upon inspection by an RM Sotheby’s Specialist, only the rear engine cover panel is known to have been replaced at some point in the car’s life. The Miura P400 S is accompanied by a spare wheel and tool roll.

Given their pioneering status as arguably the world’s first true mid-engined supercar poster star and sheer rarity, any example of the Lamborghini Miura is worthy of attention. However, chassis 4103 further boasts its matching-numbers engine and is presented in its factory-correct colour scheme. Most significantly of all, its previous ownership under the care of cult F1 hero Arnoux ensures that this car will pique the interest of any discerning collector.