Lamborghini Miura: The Supercar That Redefined Automotive History

The Lamborghini Miura is considered by many to be the definitive inflection point in automotive history, when the modern supercar was born. This revolutionary machine not only pushed boundaries but also completely redefined them, creating paradigms that would influence automotive design and engineering for decades to come. The Miura established an entirely new automobile category thanks to its innovative engineering, groundbreaking design, and pure Italian audacity.

The Birth of a Legend

Let’s dive into the history of Lamborghini cars for a minute to understand how the Miura came into being in the early 1960s. The Lamborghini story starts off with an entrepreneurial vision and a bit of rivalry. Ferruccio Lamborghini, a successful industrialist who had made his fortune manufacturing tractors, was an already well-known Italian industrialist by 1960. His garage housed a rich collection of European performance cars, including a Ferrari, but Lamborghini wasn't entirely satisfied. He considered sports cars from that era to be too noisy, unrefined, and lacking in luxurious features.
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Instead of complaining to the person who sold him his Ferrari, Lamborghini decided to call Enzo Ferrari directly. The story goes that the exchange between Lamborghini and Enzo Ferrari over suggestions for improving the Ferrari cars didn't go well. Whether or not the famous meeting took place, the outcome was there: Lamborghini decided to create his own take on the perfect sports car. He established a factory near Bologna, Italy, and by 1963, the first Lamborghini automobile, the 350 GTV, made its debut.
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The Miura was actually part of Lamborghini's second generation of road cars, introduced to the public in 1966. Here is its story!

Engineering Innovation

By 1965, Lamborghini was operating in a fast-forward mode. The engineering team headed by the brilliant Gian Paolo Dallara, who was both young and ambitious, was already considering beyond the 350GT. What happened next would reshape automotive history. Dallara, along with Paolo Stanzani and test driver Bob Wallace, began working on a revolutionary chassis design during their off-hours.
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The project that would become the Miura started as a passion project. Outside of work hours, the three men worked on the initial chassis designs with a shared vision of creating something extraordinary. After they approached Ferruccio with their proposal for a development budget, he instructed them to transform it into a mid-engined road car (a massive innovation for the time!)
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In November 1965, at the Turin Motor Show, Lamborghini unveiled a rolling chassis that many consider revolutionary to this day. The P400, as it was then designated, showcased thinking derived directly from racing car design: a steel central monocoque "tub" incorporating three longitudinal box-section members, strategically drilled for lightness and joined by the floor and bulkheads. The Bizzarrini V12 engine was mounted transversely behind the driver, a configuration that would become a Lamborghini hallmark.

The Gandini Factor

Bertone was charged with covering this revolutionary chassis, and their newly appointed designer Marcello Gandini was assigned the task. The Miura's design story was immortalized in automotive lore, with its own controversies. While Giorgetto Giugiaro later claimed partial credit for the design, citing sketches he had created before leaving Bertone, contemporary accounts and thorough investigations suggest that the revolutionary shape of the Miura was primarily Gandini's work.
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The completed car caused a sensation when it was unveiled at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. The Miura, which was painted in an arresting shade of orange that would become iconic, was only 43 inches high, which was an extremely low stance. The coupe's beautifully balanced styling had distinctive elements including eyelashed headlights and one-piece nose and tail panels. The color choice and extensive use of matte black trim would influence automotive design for years to come.
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The Miura's styling was more than just aesthetics. The engine bay, luggage compartment, spare tire, and fuel tank were all easily accessible through the one-piece nose and tail panels, which showcased the finest in Italian craftsmanship. Compared to traditional designs, this feature made servicing and maintaining the car more practical. Plus, being a substantial piece of metal, moving it required considerable strength and finesse, which would become a part of the Miura ownership experience. 

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Engineering Excellence

The Miura's technical specifications resemble the blueprint of a racing car. The engine that powered it was a 3.9-liter V12, which was mounted behind the driver in a transverse way. The engine's design was distinctive, with the air inlet ports situated between the camshafts instead of inside or outside the V. This powerplant initially produced 370 horsepower at 7,500 rpm, which were extraordinary figures for a road car of the era.
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The chassis was equally advanced. The steel monocoque construction, which had strategically placed lightening holes, was a design novelty. The use of independent double wishbone suspension at all four corners, coupled with coil springs and anti-roll bars, resulted in revolutionary handling for its time, too. The car's outstanding road manners were a result of its 2,504mm wheelbase and optimal weight distribution.

Evolution of Excellence

During its production run, the Miura went through three distinct variants, each of which improved on its predecessor.

P400

The initial production of Miuras, built from 1966 to 1969, established the foundation. Despite some early challenges, including a tendency for carburetors to flood and potentially ignite, these cars captured the imagination of wealthy enthusiasts worldwide. The first four cars off the production line were retained for testing and development under Bob Wallace's watchful eye, but as Dallara noted, 'Our customers were the test drivers.'

P400S

Significant improvements were brought about by the introduction of the P400S in 1968. Revisions in camshaft profiles and larger intake manifolds enabled the engine to produce 370 horsepower. The chassis was stiffened more, and the suspension was upgraded with constant-velocity driveshafts and revised rear components. Autocar magazine tested a P400S and found it to achieve 172 mph and hit 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which was exceptional performance in the late 1960s.
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Miura SV

The Geneva Motor Show in 1971 saw the debut of the final and most refined version, the SV. It represented the culmination of all the learning and development from the previous models. The SV had a distinct lubrication system for both the engine and gearbox, which was a welcome addition. Additionally, it had a limited-slip differential and wider rear track. Power increased to 385 horsepower, while the distinctive headlight 'eyelashes' were removed for a cleaner appearance. 

The Jota

Despite Ferruccio Lamborghini's anti-factory racing policies, Bob Wallace (the test driver we mentioned above) developed a unique Miura that examined the platform's full potential. Built in 1970, the Jota was extensively modified for potential GT racing, featuring a stripped-down weight, revised suspension geometry, and wider wheels. The engine was tuned to produce 440 horsepower at 8,000 rpm.
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Wallace removed weight wherever possible, including the interior trim, added roll cages to the cabin, and made extensive modifications to the suspension geometry. The front of the Miura had the most noticeable difference, with fared-in headlights replacing pop-up headlights and a chin spoiler to counteract its front-end lift at high speeds.
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Although the original Jota was destroyed in a tragic accident, it is still a significant influence through a small number of factory-built SVJ variants. Known to exist in only five to seven examples, these rare vehicles combined Jota's modifications with road-going practicality to create some of the most sought-after Miuras in existence today.

Interior Design and Features

The Miura's interior perfectly balances luxury with its sporting intentions. The cockpit has a distinctive dashboard design that includes a central binnacle for auxiliary gauges, while the main instruments are located in front of the driver. The seats, made of fine Italian leather, provide both comfort and support, which was an important addition given the car's performance capabilities.

On the flip side, Miura's rapid development led to some compromises in the interior layout. Controls were sometimes positioned to fit instead of following ergonomic guidelines. The gearshift lever, mounted in a gleaming metal gate, required precision and mechanical skill to operate smoothly. The pedal box was slightly offset, a characteristic that became part of the Miura driving experience.

The Driving Experience

Even by modern standards, the Miura provides a unique driving experience. The three-spoke wheel's leather-bound rim is slender and offers a gentle grip to manage the car's responses. The unassisted rack-and-pinion system provides extraordinary feedback, delivering millimeter-perfect control and an uncanny sense of connection with the road.
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Every journey is accompanied by an “orchestral soundtrack” thanks to the V12 engine's positioning just inches behind the passengers. A mechanical symphony that defines the Miura driving experience is created by the combination of four triple-choke carburetors, twelve pistons, four camshafts, and twenty-four valves. Even at idle, the engine's presence is impossible to ignore.
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Lamborghini experts say that Miuras are not for the faint-hearted. These automobiles demand respect and attention, particularly at high speeds. Anyone who has achieved a true 170 mph in a Miura describes an experience akin to that of a jet plane on takeoff, with the relationship between man, machine, and road becoming increasingly intimate – and fragile – as speed builds.

Production and Quality Control

The production of Miura was a demonstration of Italian craftsmanship. Bertone built and painted the bodyshells in Turin before shipping them to Sant'Agata (near Bologna) for final assembly. Sant'Agata's workforce had grown to nearly 300 by early 1966, but the Miura serial production did not start until the final months of that year.
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Quality control was initially a challenge, as early cars required significant attention to detail. Many of the initial customers had their interiors redone to a higher standard, and the compressed development process was apparent in some of the car's ergonomic flaws. For instance, the driver had to operate two separate switches to control the headlights: one near the gear lever to raise them, and another in the roof panel to toggle them on and off.
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Technical Specifications and Performance

The Miura P400's specifications are a reflection of its racing heritage.

• Engine: 3,939cc V12, transversely mounted
• Bore/Stroke: 82mm/62mm
• Compression Ratio: 10.4:1
• Maximum Power: 370 bhp at 7,500 rpm
• Valve System: Dual overhead camshafts, chain drive, 2 valves per cylinder
• Fuel System: 6 Weber carburetors, Bendix pump
• Transmission: 5-speed manual
• Suspension: Independent double wishbones all round
• Brakes: Girling discs
• Weight: 1,040 kg
• Top Speed: 177 mph

Special Variants and One-Offs

In addition to the standard production models, there are some Miuras that deserve to be mentioned. The Miura Roadster, which was introduced at the 1968 Brussels Motor Show, was a remarkable open-top interpretation of the design. Bertone's creation had distinct modifications such as a strengthened chassis, larger air intakes, and subtly resculpted rear bodywork. Even though there was some interest, the Roadster remained a one-of-a-kind, even though some owners later made their coupes meet similar specifications.
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The Miura Marzal, even though it wasn't specifically Miura, displayed Gandini's experimental vision through the use of Miura mechanical components. This remarkable four-seater concept boasted gullwing doors that were predominantly made of glass and a striking wedge-shaped design. Despite its non-production status, its influence can be seen in later Lamborghini models, particularly the Espada.

Cultural Impact and Media Presence

The Miura's influence on popular culture is undeniable. Its stunning appearance in the opening sequence of 'The Italian Job' (1969), where it meets its dramatic end in an Alpine tunnel, cemented its place in cinema history. The scene, accompanied by Matt Monro's "On Days Like These," remains one of the most memorable automotive sequences in film.
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The car's status as a cultural icon transcended the cinema screen. During that era, it was a must-have accessory for celebrities, musicians, and aristocrats. Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, and various members of royal families were among the notable owners. The Miura became a symbol of its owner's taste and appreciation for automotive excellence.

Market Evolution and Investment Potential

The historical significance of the Miura is reflected in the market trajectory. When new, early examples were sold for around $20,000 - a significant amount in the late 1960s but a small fraction of their current value. During the 1970s and 1980s, they remained relatively affordable by exotic car standards, often being sold for less than their original purchase price.
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Collectors began to recognize the historical importance of the Miura, which was a turning point in the 1990s. In the new millennium, values began to accelerate dramatically. Today, Miura values vary significantly based on variant and provenance:

• Early P400s typically command $800,000 to $1,200,000
• P400S models generally range from $1,200,000 to $1,800,000
• SV variants, the most sought-after, regularly exceed $2,000,000
• Special variants like factory-built SVJs can command significantly more
• The most exceptional examples, with important history or special features, have topped $3,000,000

Collecting and Maintenance

It takes dedication, expertise, and substantial resources to own a Miura. The complex mechanical layout requires regular maintenance by specialists familiar with the model's quirks. These are the key areas that need attention:

• Engine timing chains and tensioners
• Carburettor synchronization
• Cooling system maintenance
• Suspension geometry
• Transmission lubrication
• Electrical system reliability

Buying Guide Essentials

For potential Miura buyers, here are several key factors to pay attention to:

1. Authenticity Verification

• Match numbers confirmation
• Original color and specification verification
• Production records consultation
• Previous ownership history
  

2. Mechanical Assessment

• Comprehensive engine inspection
• Transmission condition evaluation
• Suspension and brake system analysis
• Electrical system functionality
  

3. Body and Structure

• Chassis integrity verification
• Panel fit and alignment
• Rust inspection, particularly in structural areas
• Original panel confirmation
  

4. Documentation

• Service history verification
• Restoration documentation if applicable
• Original factory documentation
• Previous ownership records
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Why Choose CURATED

We at CURATED are experts in identifying the authenticity and provenance of rare, historically significant automobiles, such as the Lamborghini Miura. To ensure that each vehicle meets strict standards, our team meticulously examines production records, matching numbers, and original specifications. We know well that potential Miura buyers are dedicated to safeguarding the investment and preserving their car’s historical value.
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In addition, our extensive network and experience in the vintage car market ensures that buyers have access to some of the best examples available, all of which are backed by comprehensive restoration records and service histories. 
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CURATED is the place to find the perfect addition to your collection, whether it's a well-documented survivor or a meticulously restored Miura.

Summary

The Lamborghini Miura is a milestone in the history of classic road cars as it combines racing technology, groundbreaking design, and unprecedented performance in a package that has created an entirely new category: the supercar. Its influence is still felt across the car industry, and its beauty and engineering excellence make it one of the most significant cars ever made.
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The Miura remains the pinnacle of automotive innovation and artistic vision for serious collectors and enthusiasts. It is an example of what can be achieved when young, ambitious engineers and designers are given the freedom to push boundaries and create something truly revolutionary. This car is among the greatest, having become a symbol of Italian automotive excellence and a watershed moment in automotive design.

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