... before heading to the auction block at the second annual Christie’s Collectors’ Car Auction & Exhibition at Rockefeller Center, on June 5. Mr. Sinatra’s sensational sports car will be among more than 40 rare and vintage motor cars displayed on the Rockefeller Plaza red carpet prior to going under the hammer.

This great performer’s legendary status will attract a legion of fans to view this fabulous motor car, which is distinguishable by its unforgettable orange metallic paintwork, the wild boar skin interior, the orange shag carpeting and the 8-track stereo player—all specifically requested by Mr. Sinatra, and still in remarkable original condition. Mr. Sinatra arrived at the Sant’ Agata Works outside of Turin, Italy with a roll of pelle cinghiale (wild boar skin) leather tucked under his arm and instructed the factory to build the Lamborghini Miura in arancio, Sinatra's favorite color. The car, which was simply recorded by the factory as ‘Sinatra,’ was executed on Mr. Sinatra’s birthday, December 12, 1969, and was subsequently delivered directly to him.

The most sensational road car available during the 1960s, the first Lamborghini Miura was driven by Ferruccio Lamborghini himself to Casino Square during the 1966 Monaco Grand Prix weekend. The Miura was immediately singled out as the car to have, and orders were placed by such notable Lamborghini enthusiasts as 1960s Formula One driver Jean-Pierre Beltoise, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, creator of the first American sports car Briggs Cunningham, and rock star Rod Stewart.

Mr. Sinatra apparently gave the car to model Gloria Kent, who subsequently traded it for a new Lamborghini Countach LP400. The current private owner purchased it in 1977, when it had just 33,000 recorded miles, and has kept the Miura dry-stored ever since, with the current mileage reading an amazing 36,840 from new.

The Auction is Christie’s Collectors’ Car Auction & Exhibition at Rockefeller Center June 5 2003.