1971 LAMBORGHINI Miura SV #4954

1971 Miura P400 SV
Chassis #4954
Engine #30678
Prod. #672
23 Nov 1971

Ordered new by California resident Bud Romak (with his arch accomplice, son, Kevin) by calling the factory directly in the middle of the night from the kitchen telephone. Red, full black leather, split sump, A/C. Described by the factory as the "Luxury Package" at the time. Although "Bob Estes" was noted on the factory register as the concessionaire, it was actually a "private import" for Bud Romak, head of a major iron works concern operated by the family since 1911. Miura SV 4954 was the only one of 21 USA-spec SVs thus imported, with all the others going through Alfredo Pedretti's Modena Racing Car Co. in New York.

Due to a 1971 longshoremen's union strike, the transporting vessel was diverted from Long Beach to Oxnard, which is where Bud Romak met the ship, to take delivery of his new prize.

Upon sizing up his new supercar, Romak ordered the wheels and sills be changed from gold to silver with immediate effect - which is the way they stayed throughout his ownership (although the sills were refinished in black for a time too). After having a few minor repairs seen to by the newly-established importer at the time (Dan Morgan), Romak drove the car straight home to Northern California, and you can imagine the effect upon young Kevin that the growling sound of the Miura's V12 had, as Romak snr finally arrived home with "4954". The SV took pride of place, ahead of other sports cars such as an original Ford GT40, and young Kevin Romak was assigned the job of the car's "caretaker", which he carried out with particular enthisiasm. 4954 was appropriately California registered "P400SV", on period blue plates.

Serviced by Claudio Zampolli in the Los Angeles area, Bud Romak campaigned 4954 in the famed Virginia City Hillclimb event in Neveda on several occaisions in the 70s (as did his fellow SV owner George Dyer with 5018). Driven fast and often by Romak, this Miura SV is the car that set Kevin on course for a long-term love-affair with the variant (Kevin went on to own his father's freind's 5018, from 1997 to 2003). Stories abound about Miura SV 4954, and one of them has something to do with Romak snr outrunning the California Highway Patrol(!), who were out to spoil his early Sunday morning run. 5th gear was selected and the throttle was fully depressed until the aforementioned government vehicle's red & blue flashing lights were reduced to a tiny speck in the rear view mirror, eventually vanishing from sight altogether. A leisurely drive back home then ensued, completing the day's excursion.... hopefully, Mrs Romak never found out about this particular episode.

4954 was sold after 10 fun-filled and adventurous years in the Romak family in 1982 when Romak snr replaced it with the first of two Countachs. To say the Romaks got their money's worth (in terms of priceless times spent together enjoying this car), would be an understatement.

4954 then changed hands a few times, then was sold by Ed Waterman to a European collector, where it resides today.

The images shown here are from the Romak's private collection, and depict the car circa 1972 to 1977. The image with 4954 in front of a repair shop next to an LP400 "Periscopa" is from 1976, and shows this SV in the company of 1120136 (at the time owned from new by young college student Prince Al Saud, later to Formula One team owner, Mansour Ojjeh). Needless to say, Miura SV 4954 is fondly remembered by the Romaks...

	*Miura P400 SV*		Last updated Oct 15, 2004
	4954 as new in early 1972. Note the 7 1/2-inch rear wheels as the dealer had not yet supplied the 9 inch units. Several USA spec cars are known to have been supplied this way. Registered "P400SV", a Romak family plate.		1971 Miura P400 SV Chassis #4954 Engine #30678 Prod. #672 23 Nov 1971 Ordered new by California resident Bud Romak (with his arch accomplice, son, Kevin) by calling the factory directly in the middle of the night from the kitchen telephone. Red, full black leather, split sump, A/C. Described by the factory as the "Luxury Package" at the time. Although "Bob Estes" was noted on the factory register as the concessionaire, it was actually a "private import" for Bud Romak, head of a major iron works concern operated by the family since 1911. Miura SV 4954 was the only one of 21 USA-spec SVs thus imported, with all the others going through Alfredo Pedretti's Modena Racing Car Co. in New York. Due to a 1971 longshoremen's union strike, the transporting vessel was diverted from Long Beach to Oxnard, which is where Bud Romak met the ship, to take delivery of his new prize. Upon sizing up his new supercar, Romak ordered the wheels and sills be changed from gold to silver with immediate effect - which is the way they stayed throughout his ownership (although the sills were refinished in black for a time too). After having a few minor repairs seen to by the newly-established importer at the time (Dan Morgan), Romak drove the car straight home to Northern California, and you can imagine the effect upon young Kevin that the growling sound of the Miura's V12 had, as Romak snr finally arrived home with "4954". The SV took pride of place, ahead of other sports cars such as an original Ford GT40, and young Kevin Romak was assigned the job of the car's "caretaker", which he carried out with particular enthisiasm. 4954 was appropriately California registered "P400SV", on period blue plates. Serviced by Claudio Zampolli in the Los Angeles area, Bud Romak campaigned 4954 in the famed Virginia City Hillclimb event in Neveda on several occaisions in the 70s (as did his fellow SV owner George Dyer with 5018). Driven fast and often by Romak, this Miura SV is the car that set Kevin on course for a long-term love-affair with the variant (Kevin went on to own his father's freind's 5018, from 1997 to 2003). Stories abound about Miura SV 4954, and one of them has something to do with Romak snr outrunning the California Highway Patrol(!), who were out to spoil his early Sunday morning run. 5th gear was selected and the throttle was fully depressed until the aforementioned government vehicle's red & blue flashing lights were reduced to a tiny speck in the rear view mirror, eventually vanishing from sight altogether. A leisurely drive back home then ensued, completing the day's excursion.... hopefully, Mrs Romak never found out about this particular episode. 4954 was sold after 10 fun-filled and adventurous years in the Romak family in 1982 when Romak snr replaced it with the first of two Countachs. To say the Romaks got their money's worth (in terms of priceless times spent together enjoying this car), would be an understatement. 4954 then changed hands a few times, then was sold by Ed Waterman to a European collector, where it resides today. The images shown here are from the Romak's private collection, and depict the car circa 1972 to 1977. The image with 4954 in front of a repair shop next to an LP400 "Periscopa" is from 1976, and shows this SV in the company of 1120136 (at the time owned from new by young college student Prince Al Saud, later to Formula One team owner, Mansour Ojjeh). Needless to say, Miura SV 4954 is fondly remembered by the Romaks...