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7 Minutes
The Unbelievable Discovery: A Supercar Hidden in Plain Sight
Imagine finding one of the rarest classic supercars – not buried in a dusty barn, but displayed inside someone’s living room. That’s exactly what happened with a 1970 Lamborghini Miura S in Long Island, New York. For over four decades, this automotive icon sat untouched, protected from the elements, and hidden away behind the walls of its owner’s home.
The story began when Larry Kosilla, renowned car detailing expert and YouTube personality, received a surprising call from Barrett, an exotic car broker. Barrett had tracked down a Lamborghini Miura S – not in a garage, but nestled right in the heart of a living room. What followed was a remarkable rescue operation that perfectly encapsulates why the Lamborghini Miura remains one of the most coveted collector cars on the planet.
A Piece of Lamborghini History: The Story of the Miura S
Built in July 1970 at Lamborghini’s legendary Sant’Agata Bolognese factory in Italy, this Miura S represents a pinnacle in automotive design. Between 1966 and 1973, Lamborghini produced only 764 Miuras, and just 338 of those were the enhanced P400S, or "Miura S," model. With its mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V12 engine, and revolutionary styling, the Miura is widely recognized as the world’s first true supercar.
For car enthusiasts and collectors, owning a numbers-matching Lamborghini Miura S is akin to discovering a unicorn. These cars not only encapsulate the spirit of 1970s Italian design and engineering, but they also mark a significant chapter in the evolution of high-performance automobiles.
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Vehicle Specifications: Power, Performance, and Innovation
The Heart of the Beast: V12 Performance
At the core of the Miura S is a 3.0-liter V12 engine, producing an impressive 365 horsepower (370 metric) and 286 lb-ft (387 Nm) of torque. The S variant improved upon the original Miura by featuring upgraded carburetors and camshafts, which translated to improved throttle response and acceleration. In an era when sports cars typically struggled to break the 6-second barrier, the Miura S could rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. Its top speed? A thrilling 174 mph (280 kph), cementing its reputation as the fastest production road car of its day.
Despite its power, the Miura S was also remarkably light. With a curb weight of just 2,850 lbs (1,293 kg), its compact design contributed both to its agility and its status as a supercar. The five-speed manual gearbox sent power to the rear wheels, delivering an old-school, analog driving experience beloved by collectors today.
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Design That Defines an Era
The Miura’s sleek, low-slung body, penned by iconic designer Marcello Gandini at Bertone, is endlessly recognizable. This particular Miura S still flaunts its factory-original Luci di Bosco (Forest Light) paintwork and a completely original leather interior. Importantly for collectors, the car remains "numbers matching," with both chassis and engine corresponding to the original factory records. The cockpit has aged gracefully, with period-correct features and patina that tell the story of a truly cherished classic.
From Living Room Display to Auction Room Star
Rarely driven but never forgotten, the Miura S spent 40 years immaculately maintained in a temperature-controlled environment, shielded from weather and road wear. Although the brown seat upholstery bore minor rodent damage, experts consider it an astonishingly preserved specimen. The car even came with the original owner’s manual, an authentic parts catalogue, and complete documentation tracing its ownership history.
But how does a supercar end up inside a house? The owner, Paul, jokingly claimed he had a friend with a helicopter, but the truth is more down-to-earth. After driving the Miura through the garage and into the living room, Paul built a wall in front of it, intending never to let it leave his home again. But priorities changed, and he decided to put this automotive treasure on the market.
The Unconventional Rescue: Tearing Down Walls for the Miura
To remove the Miura S, Larry and Barrett had to embark on a unique automotive rescue mission. First, they dismantled an air conditioning unit, then prepared for the more daunting task: demolishing the wall separating the garage from the living area. Once the space was clear and the path made wide enough, the team delicately pushed the pristine Miura S – which hadn’t seen daylight in 40 years – out from captivity and into the open.
The car was then transported to a secure storage facility, where Barrett began the process of seeking its next lucky owner. For those concerned about the price tag, at the prestigious 2024 Pebble Beach auction hosted by Gooding & Company, a similar 1970 Lamborghini Miura S hammered for an astonishing $2.04 million – a testament to the enduring passion for these Italian supercars.
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Miura S Market Value and Collector Status
The Lamborghini Miura S occupies a unique place in automotive history. Its rarity, condition, and historical documentation make it one of the most desirable classic cars today. Compared to rival classics like the Ferrari Daytona or Aston Martin DB5, the Miura S is in a league of its own when it comes to style, performance, and provenance.
The price trajectory for Miura S models continues to rise, with numbers-matching examples in original condition commanding top dollar at international auctions. The rescue and rediscovery of this living room Miura only adds to its mystique, capturing the imagination of collectors around the world.
The Enduring Legacy of the Lamborghini Miura
Few classic cars ignite passion quite like the Miura. Its combination of Italian craftsmanship, racing-inspired engineering, and timeless good looks make it an icon not only for Lamborghini, but for the entire world of exotic sports cars. Stories like this – of hidden treasures, daring rescues, and record-breaking auction results – remind us why the Lamborghini Miura remains an everlasting symbol of automotive excellence and desire.
For Larry Kosilla, Barrett, and all who witnessed this unique chapter, freeing the Miura S from its unlikely home was more than a mission – it was a celebration of automotive history at its finest. Watch as they bring this legendary supercar back into the light, ready for its next adventure on the open road or in a collector’s showcase.
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