Description
Lamborghini’s Miura is considered as one of the most iconic cars in automotive history for its unparalleled styling, mid-transverse mounted V12 and stellar performance. It was created in1965 under a constellation of talents of 5 men:
- Giampaolo Dallara, an aeronautical engineer from Polytecnco di Milan with extensive experience on the development of mid-longitudinal mounted V6 and V12 units in Ferrari SP/ 156 F1 and Maserati Tipo 63 respectively.
- Giotto Bizzarrini, an automobile engineer from Universita di Pisa who was involved in the development of the Colombo V12-equipped Ferrari 250 GTO and later the mid-longitudinal V8 engined ATS 2500 GT road car.
- Paolo Stanzani, a mechanical engineer from Universita di Bologna gifted with an extraordinarily inventive mind of a strong predilection for innovating solutions.
- Bob Wallace, a New Zealand born automotive engineer, vehicle evaluator and test driver with prior racing preparation experience in Camoradi team’s Ferrari 250 GTO/ TR and Scuderia Serenissima’s Maserati Tipo 61.
- Marcello Gandini, who applied his exceptional styling talent with deep understanding and appreciation of engineering and architecture.
Equipped with experience and intuition and driven solely by inspiration, they devised a way to mount the Bizzarrini-designed and Stanzani refined V12 transversely thereby shifting the center of gravity closer to the vehicle’s center and offering an even transverse weight distribution a task previously unattainable in Maserati’s mid-longitudinal V12 configuration. The solution entailed integrating the gearbox and drivetrain to the engine providing for ample rear axle room and a low center of gravity. Notably, subsequent Ferrari mid-engined road competitors would fit the gearbox under the V6 or flat 12 engine resulting in a higher center of gravity with consequent body roll. Once the rolling chassis was finalized, Gandini sculptured its formidably contoured shape reflecting and exploiting the low center of gravity and ground clearance in the unprecedented 1. 1 m overall height. The front aluminum panel features round headlights in vented housings and opening louvres for fuel tank access. The rear aluminum bonnet is designed with integrated trunk and wheel arches displaying a series of slats of engine heat dissipation. The doors were shaped with curved rear pilars reminiscent of the longer horns of the Miuras, a fiercely aggressive and strong breed of Spanish fighting bulls that evolved from 5 historical breeds. Coded as ‘P400’ for Posteriore 4 litri, the Miura was unveiled in 1966 at the Geneva Motor Show for the automotive world to witness the fastest production vehicle ever conceived and the first supercar in history. After the first 268 units, the Miura was revised into the P400 S that featured larger intake manifolds and re-profiled camshafts to a raised output of 365 bhp at 7700 rpm and 387 Nm at 5500 rpm. The interior received numerous upgrades consistent with a passenger vehicle comforts including power windows, locking glovebox lid, rocker switches in overhead console, ample cabin venting and optional air conditioner. To signify the revisions, the headlight surrounds and outer windows were treated to bright chrome trim. Between 1968 and 1971, 338 P400S Miuras were produced prior to the release of the SV that displayed modifications to the original design with flared exterior wheel arches for larger wheels necessitated by the engine power increase. By the end of production in 1973, according to Lamborghini records. a total of 753 Miuras were produced.
Chassis 4389 was produced in Bianco Miura over Gobi Beige interior to be delivered to Gerino Gerini’s Milan-based Lamborcar on January 23rd 1970. In 1978 it was imported in Greece to be cherished by a young newly wed couple of enthusiasts. Away from the public view, the couple would occasionally enjoy the Miura over the long stretches of the 140 km road to their summer house in Naflion resort. A decade later the Miura was resprayed in Oro Metallizzato before being stored in 1991 due to closing of Lamborghini’s local representative and a knee condition preventing clutch engagement. The owner decided to remove the engine/ gearbox assembly to send it to Sant’ Agata for total overhaul, a task that was never completed. After 34 years of storage and 48 years of ownership the family has decided to offer the Miura. It currently presents in weathered body condition and a relatively well preserved interior with its original engine/ gearbox assembly still off the car. It offers a unique opportunity to acquire a Miura that has never been restored and will never be restored by none other than Lamborghini’s own Polo Storico. Furthermore this Miura has never been unveiled publicly or auctioned in over 48 years allowing for a private sale straight from the family. The car can be viewed by appointment in Athens.
Specifications
Year: 1970
Date delivered: January 23rd, 1970
Lamborghini agent: Lamborcar, Milan, Italy
Make: Lamborghini
Model: Miura S
Tipo: P400XN560
Chassis number: 4389
Production number: 460
Bertone body number: 560
Engine number: 30465
Engine type: 3929cc, aluminum alloy block, 12 cyl. in 60 degree V config., quad cam DOHC, quad Weber 40 IDL 3C 3-barrel carburetted, 365 bhp at 7700 rpm 387 Nm at 5500 rpm output
Exterior color: Bianco Miura (currently Oro Metallizzato)
Interior color, trim: Gobi Beige, vinyl/ cloth inserts
Registration: Greek
Ownership history:
1972-1978: n/ a
1978-present: private
