A 1967 Lamborghini Miura that Jay Leno acquired at no cost has become one of the most valuable vehicles in his extensive collection, according to a recent appraisal highlighting an extraordinary rise in worth. The supercar, which entered Leno’s garage under unusual circumstances decades ago, now carries an estimated value of at least $2.6 million.
Leno, known for one of the world’s most diverse private car collections, occasionally receives vehicles as gifts. Friends and fans have handed him everything from restored classics to high-performance exotics, a phenomenon that has become part of his public persona. But the Miura stands apart because of the unlikely path it traveled before landing in his hands.
The car’s history traces back to the family of entertainer Dean Martin. After Martin’s son damaged the Miura, the car was sold rather than repaired. Its new owner initially believed he had secured a rare prize but soon discovered the challenges of restoring a Lamborghini in the pre-internet era. With no easy source for parts and even an overseas phone call proving costly, the project stalled. The car sat untouched in a garage for years until the owner, who knew Leno personally, eventually asked him if he wanted it.
Leno agreed, taking possession of a vehicle that had become more burden than treasure for its previous owner. The restoration required a substantial investment, but it ultimately revived a machine considered one of the most important supercars ever built. Widely regarded as a pioneer of the mid-engine layout adopted by modern performance cars, the Miura has seen its market value escalate sharply in recent years.
Now, with the car appraised at more than $2.6 million, the once-neglected Miura is seen not only as a standout in Leno’s stable but also as a remarkable case of automotive fortune reversing course.
