Brown is rarely chosen for a supercar worth several million dollars, but the non-standard paint of this 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV is unlikely to stop it from becoming the most expensive Murcielago ever sold. That speaks volumes about how the market values the car beneath the paint.
The last V12 with a manual
Lamborghini introduced the limited Murcielago SV series as the final chord for its legendary naturally aspirated V12 supercar. Engineers increased the output of the 6.5-liter engine, reduced weight, and added noticeable exterior and aerodynamic changes. Moreover, it was the last production road Lamborghini offered with a six-speed manual transmission.
One of five, possibly the last
Photo: Alex Penfold/RM Sotheby’s
At the end of the month, the only Murcielago SV painted in Ad Personam Marrone Eklipsis and fitted with a manual gearbox will change hands. According to preliminary data, it is one of only five cars that left the factory with a manual gearbox, and it appears to be the last one assembled. If so, this is the final Lamborghini with a V12 and a manual, which significantly increases its desirability and value.
What makes this Murcielago special is not just the color and gearbox. The dark brown body is contrasted by wheels with a golden finish. The interior is also unlike any other SV: the dashboard, carpets, steering wheel, and door panels are trimmed in Marrone Janus leather and Alcantara. Combined with these are comfortable LP640 seats upholstered in Ad Personam Avorio Lilium leather with contrasting Grigio Phoenix stitching.
Small wing, big speed
Photo: Alex Penfold/RM Sotheby’s
There is another feature that sets this SV apart from most others. Instead of the large carbon fiber rear wing, a more compact lip spoiler is installed here. This not only gives the car a more restrained look, but also increases the top speed from 209 mph (336 km/h) to 212 mph (341 km/h).
Restrictions for American buyers
There is one nuance. RM Sotheby’s notes that this Murcielago SV was built to European specification, so it cannot be legally imported into the United States until 2035, when the car turns 25 and qualifies under federal import rules. But if you live outside the US and want to buy perhaps the most important Murcielago in history, this is exactly the case.
Photo: Alex Penfold/RM Sotheby’s
The classic supercar market has long understood that cars with manual gearboxes and individual factory options retain and even increase in value far better than standard versions. For Lamborghinis from the pre-hybrid era, the combination of a large naturally aspirated V12, all-wheel drive, and a manual transmission became a kind of pinnacle of the classic formula. And when a unique Ad Personam color is added to that, such a car turns into a true museum piece.
The fact that this example is likely the last Murcielago SV with a manual adds even more weight. If the buyer keeps the car in this condition, decades from now it will undoubtedly be one of the centerpiece works at any major supercar exhibition. The import restriction to the US will not stop European collectors or buyers from other regions from taking part in the bidding, because such opportunities on the market almost never arise.