Between 1966 and 1972, Lamborghini built what has come to be known as the "Holy Grail" of its many famous sportscars: the legendary Miura. Named after a Spanish ranch famed for its ferocious bulls, the Miura's (pronounced me-you-rra) flamboyance and engineering astounded the public when it was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1965. It quickly became the supercar of choice for the coolest of the cool and richest of the rich - members of royal families and two of the world's most famous and stylish musicians owned one, for starters.

Miles Davis is said to have driven his Miura around with a .357 Magnum stashed under the seat and enjoyed outrunning police cars while terrified passengers like Jimi Hendrix held on for dear life. He crashed the car in 1972, breaking both ankles in the process, and immediately ordered another. Frank Sinatra arrived at the Lamborghini factory outside carrying a roll of specially tanned wild boar skin with which he instructed the workmen to upholster the interior. He chose orange metallic paint for the exterior and matching shag carpet within.

So why are we talking about the Miura now? Because Joe Sackey, the world's leading authority on the vehicle, has just published the definitive volume on it - aptly titled The Lamborghini Miura Bible - after 20 years of diligent research. Sackey makes the case that the Miura is nothing short of "The Most Beautiful Sports Car of The Postwar Era." Having himself himself owned, maintained and restored five Miuras, he knows whereof he speaks. "The Miura is not a car without its flaws," Sackey notes. "But, what a benchmark post-war classic! A special car, it is to be enjoyed and indeed put on a pedestal. In terms of reliability and utility, it may not be the ultimate example of a sports car, but for sheer charisma and emotion the Miura is hard to beat."

An ultra-rare 1955 Jaguar D-Type (above), the first production example ever made, is being auctioned off by Bonhams during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Sussex, England on July 11. The car, which carries an estimate of $4 - $5 million and has a colorful racing history, is one of the most coveted sportscars ever produced; a similar one was owned by Steve McQueen.

Also featured in the historic sale: a super-cool lime green 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400S Series II Berlinetta similar to those owned by Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis, est. $440,000 - $500,000; a rare 1968 Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300 coupé, exhibited at the first Louis Vuitton Concours D'elegance in 1990, est. $400,000 - $500,000; a 1962 Cooper-Climax Type 61 'Monaco', raced by several famous name and one of only three believed to be in existence, est. $300,000 - $360,000; a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 competition saloon, est. $200,000 - $240,000; and more.