Yahoo Autos Rod Stewart's 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S For Sale at U.K. Auction
By the time the British cultural revolution known as the Swinging Sixties bumped headlong in the comparatively crass 1970s, it was clear that being a pop star was a lucrative endeavor. As evidence, consider this 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S owned by Sir Roderick David Stewart, a.k.a. Rod Stewart, Rod the Mod, and a few additional monikers of dubious intent. Purchased through Lamborghini Concessionaires Ltd. of Allie Street, London, the car wears the chassis number 4863. Thanks to dealership employee Derek Hopkins, whose fastidious tendencies compelled him to keep a file of paperwork on the car, we have the original delivery sheet noting that this rare right-hand-drive example was ordered with factory air conditioning and seat belts-one can never be too safe, you know, even if they do tend to wrinkle even the best silks.
Given that one of the few things a freshly minted rock star appreciates more than a freshly minted exotic automobile is an equally exotic companion, it should come as no surprise that the black-and-white photo above depicts fashion model Dee Harrington, Stewart’s girlfriend at the time, posing with not only chassis number 4863 but with an additional Miura from his collection. Reported to be taken circa “1971-1972,” we’re betting the photo is from the latter date as a two-Miura household was an expensive proposition even for an established performer. Seeing as his hit solo LP Every Picture Tells A Story didn’t hit the streets until May of ’71, it would have taken a few accounting cycles for the fat royalty checks to come rolling in for the namesake track and number-one hit, “Maggie May.” We're talking about a guy who once claimed that he formed his ambition to become a musician “in order to earn enough money to afford a nice car.”
Far more than a celebrity trinket, this 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S has a well-documented history after it left Stewart's care. Modified to SV specification at some point between 1994 and 2014, the car was later acquired by an owner who commissioned Lamborghini Polo Storico division in Sant’Agata to restore it to original condition. The work performed includes the reskinning of the hood and trunk to original design; the reshaping of the wheel arches; modification of the chassis back to original P400 S specification, and complete refurbishment of all the mechanical components. Ringing in at approximately $468,000, the restoration includes Polo Storico’s well detailed records, including photographs and checklists. Billed as “the finest right-hand drive P400 S on the market,” it’s sure to bring near its $1.2-to-1.4-million dollar estimate when it crosses the auction block on September 5 at Sotheby’s in London. Those without the means to bid are reminded that every picture tells a story-click through the lush images provided courtesy of Sotheby’s and enjoy.
('You Might Also Like',)
