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American Classic Auto Restoration

World’s Rarest Lambo Goes on Sale, Volkswagen Introduces All New Passat Bluemotion

The acquisition of the world’s rarest Lamborghini Bertone Miura Roadster by an American Collector is one that can be considered as a history making sale. Adam Gordon, a New York real estate developer and car collector was the lucky person who bought the Lamborghini’s Miura.

The Miura is said to be the most beautiful and undeniably the most desirable post-war sports car ever built for the road. Only 767 Miuras were built between 1967 and 1973. The P400SV now commands prices of up to $800,000. In the year 1968 Lamborghini’s factory produced a single Miura Roadster designed by Bertone for the 1968 Brussels Car Show.

The prototype was later presented at car shows throughout the world before it was finally sold to the Boston Museum of Transportation where it remained for many years before it was bought by various prominent collectors. Despite the fact that demands for a production version of the Miura Roadster was overwhelming but still has remained a one-off.

And today the world’s only factory Lamborghini Miura convertible has once again makes its way to another collector. Mr. Gordon plans to restore the car to its original 1968 Brussels Salon glory. Gary Bobileff, a renowned Lamborghini restoration specialist is tasked to do the project.

The restoration to be done on the Miura Roadster is not going to be easy since it’s going to be a group-up restoration and will require not lesser than two years. It is expected that after the restoration the Miura Roadster will once again become one of the rarest and most valuable classic cars in the world.

Lamborghini historian and author of the soon to be released book “Lamborghini Miura†Joe Sackey says, “This event is automotive history in the making. Consider that Ferrari’s ultimate GTO is valued by some in excess of $12 million and even though they have competition heritage, 39 were supposedly made. The Miura Roadster is a true one-off, by comparison, and even though it is not competition inspired, its heritage is that of a “prototype show car†perhaps even more valuable to some collectors.â€

In other news: In Wolfsburg Germany, Volkswagen, Europe’s largest automaker and brand of famous auto parts like Volkswagen heater core is set to unveil the second of what it promised in the extended range of BlueMotion models at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show scheduled next month. The automaker is proud to present its super-frugal version of the sixth-generation Passat capable of running up to 870 miles in between fill-ups.

The new Passat, scheduled to go on sale across Europe later this year would be offered in both sedan and wagon body styles. The vehicle is rumored to achieve a combined city/highway average of 47 mpg which is a 6.6 mpg improvement on the standard Passat model. Such development is brought about by the series of detailed upgrades that are likened to those already seen on the Polo BlueMotion.

Carbon dioxide emissions were also reduced by nearly 10% -- allowing the new Passat to conform to the European Commission’s proposed emissions standard for 2008. Other details about the new Passat have not yet been revealed by Volkswagen but Inside Line sources say that the front-wheel-drive of the Passat BlueMotion is powered by a specially tuned version of the automaker’s famous 105 HP 1.9 liter four cylinder diesel engine, mated to a six speed manual gearbox.

The new Passat is also given a reworked body shell with aerodynamic upgrades, a new front bumper and grille designed to lessen drag. The other features adopted by the new Passat are low-rolling resistance tires and a reworked gearbox with taller 5th and 6th gears.

About the Author

Growing up with three brothers, Natalie Anderson became exposed early to the world of automobiles. This 29-year-old account manager now dreams of having her very own top-of-the-line vintage car.

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