1972 Lamborghini Miura

The Lamborghini Miura is widely considered the first production 'supercar,' combining race-inspired technical innovation, massive speed, and a futuristic design at an equally jaw-dropping price. Named for an infamous fighting bull, the Miura was introduced in March 1966 at the Geneva Salon. It was the creation of seven young engineers, including Gian Paolo Dallara, along with a design penned by Marcello Gandini at Bertone (some name Bertone's Giorgetto Giugiaro as the vehicle's designer).

The sophisticated Miura had a top speed of nearly 180 mph thanks to its lightweight frame, four-wheel disc brakes, all-independent suspension, and an exotic DOHC V12 engine with Weber carburetors. Constant development resulted in the 'S' (spinto or tuned) version in 1968, followed by the ultimate 385 bhp SV ('S' for spinto, 'V' for veloce or speed) that debuted at Geneva in 1971. The SV came with ventilated disc brakes, nine-inch Campagnolo wheels, wide Pirelli tires, aggressively purposeful body modifications and a leather-trimmed interior. An optional limited-slip ZF differential became available in the autumn of 1971, and dry-sump lubrication appeared.

Origins
The existence of the Lamborghini Miura began in the minds of engineers Giampaolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani, and Bob Wallace, who envisioned an entirely new type of sports car. High-performance GT cars existed during this time, however, the Miura represented a new chapter in the evolution of automotive design. Perhaps not a 'new chapter,' as it rewrote the rule book and brought about an all-new type of road-going vehicle - the supercar.

The project began in the off-hours, and after significant progress had been made, it was unveiled to company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, who backed the project, believing that if nothing more, it could be a valuable marketing tool.

Lamborghini unveiled the Miura in 1965 at the Turin Salon as a bare chassis fitted with a mid-mounted, transverse V-12 engine built in-unit with a five-speed transaxle. It had a fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. Carrozzeria Bertone was commissioned to create a suitable body for the advanced chassis that would faithfully capture the youthfulness and spirit of Lamborghini's newest creation. What was penned was thoroughly modern, exotic, and impossibly low, with clamshell panels, articulating headlamps, and many functional vents. The interior housed large circular instruments, a tall central console, and reclining bucket seats.

Bertone completed the body for hte prototype just days before the start of the Geneva Motor Show in 1966. Unable to fit the engine bay with an engine by the start of the show, the hood was kept locked throughout the show. Known initially as the P400, production commenced the following year bearing the name 'Miura' and wearing a newly created company badge.

Dimensions
The Lamborghini Miura rested on a 98.4 inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 171.7 inches, a width of 69.3 inches, and stood 41.5 inches tall.

Engine
The transversely-mounted mid-placed engine had an 82mm bore, a stroke of 62mm, and a total displacement size of 3,929cc. The 60-degree four-stroke naturally aspirated engine had two valves per cylinder and four IDL40 3C 3-barrel downdraft Weber carburetors. With 9.5:1 compression, the engine delivered 345 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 262 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 RPM.

The P400S had 10.7:1 compression and produced 365 horsepower at 7,700 RPM and 286 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 RPM.

The P400SV also had 10.7:1 compression but produced 380 horsepower at 7,850 RPM and 295 lb-ft of torque at 5,750 RPM. This engine received different cam timing and altered 4x3-barrel Weber carbs, resulting in an increase in power. The final 96 examples of the SV built had a split sump.

Lamborghini P400 (Posteriore 4 litri)
The P400 was built from 1966 to 1969, with 275 examples constructed. It was powered by the 3.9-liter Lamborghini V12 engine used in the 400GT at the time, and the car rode on Pirelli Cinturato 205VR15 tires.

Lamborghini P400S (Miura S)
The Miura P400S, also known as the Miura S, was introduced in November 1968 at the Turin Motor Show. Production began in December 1968 and continued through March 1971, with around 338 examples created.

Riding on 215/70VR15 Pirelli Cinturato CN12 tires at the front and 225/70VR15 CN12 at the rear, the Miura S came with power windows, bright chrome trim around the headlights and external windows, and notched trunk end panels, resulting in slightly more luggage space. The engine manifolds were enlarged by 2mm and it used different camshaft profiles, resulting in an additional 20 horsepower.

The interior gained a locking glovebox lid and a reversed position of the cigarette lighter and windshield wiper switch.

Lamborghini P400SV (Miura SV)
The Lamborghini Miura P400SV, for Spinto Veloce, was built from 1971 to 1973 with approximately 150 examples built. This was the final and highest specification of the Miura with 380 horsepower being produced by the V12 engine. It had altered 4x3-barrel Weber carburetors and different cam timing, and the lubrication system for the gearbox was now separate from the engine.

Distinguishable features of the Miura SV compared to its predecessors were the lack of 'eyelashes' around the headlamps, different taillights, and wider fenders to contain the 9-inch wide rear wheels and Pirelli Cinturato tires 215/70R15 CN12 & 255/60R15 CN12.

Revised suspension helped to resolve the 'front-end lightness' of the earlier cars.

Zero-to-sixty mph took 5.8 seconds and the top speed was quoted at 180 mph.

The Lamborghini Miura was succeeded by the Countach in 1974, remaining in production through 1990. The Countach was another ground-breaking automobile for the Italian marque, with its sharply angled 'Italian Wedge' shape and scissor doors.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2023