The discovery of three ultra-rare Lamborghini Miuras in a California junkyard has set the automotive world abuzz, with car enthusiasts and collectors eager to restore these iconic vehicles to their former glory. The trio—comprising a 1967, 1968, and 1969 Miura—has been uncovered as part of a larger collection amassed by Rudi Klein, a German immigrant and businessman, who stored them for decades in his Los Angeles junkyard. These Miuras, long thought lost, are now poised to fetch millions at an upcoming auction, despite their current state of disrepair.

The most significant of the three is a 1968 Miura P400, finished in aqua green, and believed to have been owned by Lamborghini engineer and test driver Claudio Zampolli. This car has been estimated to sell for between $500,000 and $700,000, depending on the extent of restoration it undergoes. It’s one of only 275 such examples produced by Lamborghini and features bodywork designed by Bertone, adding to its historical and aesthetic value. However, it bears a sizable dent in the driver’s side door, a reminder of its time spent in obscurity.

The second vehicle is a 1969 Miura P400 S, which still bears its original blue paint and is equipped with the same V12 engine as the earlier Miura but with an additional 20 horsepower. Once one of the fastest production cars on the road, this Miura has not seen the light of day since 1978 when it was shelved following a minor traffic accident. While it remains mostly intact, the car is missing its clamshell and rocker panel trim, making it a prime project for restoration.

The final Miura in the collection is a red 1967 Miura P400, considered the rarest due to its “thin chassis” design, constructed with a lighter gauge steel than later models. Originally finished in Giallo (yellow), it is missing both its engine and gearbox—critical and costly components for anyone hoping to restore it to a drivable condition. Despite these issues, the car is still expected to sell for $350,000 to $450,000, demonstrating the high value placed on even incomplete examples of this iconic model.

What makes these Miuras particularly special is their status as some of the earliest and most influential supercars in automotive history. Introduced in 1966, the Lamborghini Miura redefined what a supercar could be with its mid-engine layout and groundbreaking design. As such, even in their current non-running state, these cars are considered masterpieces of automotive engineering and design, with enthusiasts and collectors willing to invest substantial resources to bring them back to life.

The Miuras will be part of a larger auction hosted by RM Sotheby’s on October 26, alongside other rare classics, including a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing and a 935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe by Sindelfingen. Though not the priciest cars in the auction, the Miuras are expected to be among the most contested items, given their storied past and the allure of their restoration potential.

For collectors and enthusiasts, these Miuras represent more than just cars; they are symbols of a golden era of automotive innovation. Each vehicle carries a unique history, a testament to the craftsmanship of its era, and the dedication required to restore them will be immense. However, for the right buyer, the rewards will be equally monumental—transforming these barn finds into pristine showpieces that could easily sell for millions more once fully restored.

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