1969 Miura P400 Used In The Italian Job Certified Legit By Lamborghini

Fifty years after the release of the film 'The Italian Job', Lamborghini Polo Storico has certified the Miura P400, bearing chassis number 3586, as the original car used in the Paramount Pictures' film from 1969.

The orange Miura P400, known as the Arancio Miura that features a black and white themed interior has been the most chased after Miura in recent times. The super-car appears at the start of the film, driven by actor Rossano Brazzi on the Great St Bernard Pass.

A hunt for the car began a few years after the film's release. Enthusiasts and collectors from around the world searched, and found numerous (sometimes conflicting) clues. The current owner of this historic model, The Kaiser Collection of Vaduz. Liechtenstein, decided to consult Lamborghini Polo Storico in an attempt to find out if the car he owns was 'the car'.

The car was sent to Lamborghini's specialist historic department at its Sant' Agata Bolognese headquarters, where Polo Storico's reconstruction started from archived documentation, and vehicle examination.

The results, along with testimonies from enthusiasts and former employees, such as Enzo Moruzzi (the stunt driver for the film) helped certify that the Miura P400, bearing chassis number 3586, was the one used to in the film 'The Italian Job'. This recognition comes at the same time as the 50th anniversary celebrations of the film.

Back in the day, Paramount Pictures approached Automobili Lamborghini for a car to use for filming. Once they got to Sant'Agata Bolognese they settled for an orange-colored Miura, which was already heavily damaged and perfect for the accident scene. Lamborghini provided the studio with a second car for the shoot. Enzo Moruzzi delivered the car to the sets and was eventually hired to work as the stunt driver.

Moruzzi recalls, "There was a Miura P400 almost ready on the production line, in the right color, left-hand drive and with white leather interior. It was aesthetically identical to the damaged one and we decided to use it for the film. The only thing worrying us was the elegant white leather seats, given that car had to get back to Sant'Agata in perfect condition. So, I asked for them to be taken out, replacing them with a set of black leather seats that we used for testing. The giveaway was the headrests, which on the Miura are attached to the dividing glass between the driver compartment and the engine compartment, which couldn't be replaced in time. In the film, you can see the original white headrests."

After filming, the Miura was returned to Lamborghini, and in turn delivered to it's first owner. 50 years, and through many owners later, the P400 was bought by a Liechtenstein based collector named Fritz Kaiser (founder of The Classic Car Trust).

Lamborghini is Automobili Lamborghini's department dedicated to preserving the heritage of House of Sant'Agata Bolognese. Its activities include restoration and certification of all Lamborghinis produced up to 2001, and also reconstruction of spare parts for classic Lamborghinis.

Thoughts About The Legit Certification Of The Miura P400 Used During Filming Of The Italian Job (1969)

Well okay, they found the car, and certified it. Very cool. We wonder how much Fritz paid for the super-car, and can't help but wonder how much more it is worth. Either way, it is depressing that this car will most likely never be driven again. At least not like she used to be anyway.