FOUR GENERATIONS OF LAMBORGHINI LEAD THE CHARGE AT BONHAMS PARIS SALE

FOUR GENERATIONS OF LAMBORGHINI LEAD THE CHARGE AT BONHAMS PARIS SALE

‘To achieve this level of performance is an achievement…nothing short of sensational.’

 

1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 S Coupé (€1,200,000-1,400,000)

Four generations of legendary Italian marque, Lamborghini, will be offered at Bonhams Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais Sale in Paris on 8 February. The story of one of the most widely-recognised and sought-after supercar marques is told through four models offered, the 400 GT, the Miura, the Countach, and finally the Diablo VT.

It is the stuff of legend that Ferrari-obsessive Ferruccio Lamborghini only turned his hand to creating his own automobiles after receiving short shrift at Maranello; he left in a rage and vowed to build a better machine. The 350GT was upgraded to become the 400GT to challenge Ferrari’s larger models – this 1966 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Coupé (€520,000-580,000) is one of the rarest and earliest of Ferruccio’s creations, and retains its matching numbers.

The next chapter of the Lamborghini story came in the form of one of the era-defining cars built, considered by many to be the first genuine supercar – the 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 S Coupé (€1,200,000-1,400,000). With only 4 owners from new and a genuine 43,000km on the odometer, this is an excellently maintained example which retains a charming original patina.

The Miura was always going to be a tough act to follow, but the outlandish and almost space-age 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Coupé ‘Periscopo’ (€600,000-800,000) certainly holds its own, and remains a byword for extravagant and glamorous motoring to this day. This example is in its original ‘periscopo’ form, and is one of only 157 built. A rare example of a ground-breaking design that is surely one of the most iconic of the 20^th century.

The final installation in the Lamborghini story offered at Grand Palais is the 1996 Lamborghini Diablo VT (€215,000-255,000). Upon its release, it was the fastest, most advanced and most expensive Lamborghini ever built. Outperforming even the legendary Ferrari F40, the Diablo is capable of more than 200mog thanks to its extraordinary V12 lurking beneath its lightweight carbon fibre body. This example has been used sparingly, with only 25,000km recorded – it is ready to be used again in anger on road and track.

Other highlights of the sale include:

• 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Touring, originally owned by his Royal Highness Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan (€650,000-850,000)
• 1935 Bugatti Type 57 3.3-Litre Torpedo Tourist Trophy, formerly owned and raced by Earl Howe and Pierre Levegh (€780,000-1,300,000)
• 1926 Bentley 3-Litre ‘Red Label’ Speed Model Tourer (€650,000-850,000), chosen as 2^nd in class at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2015
• 1960 Maserati 3500GT Vignale Spider (€670,000-780,000)