The Iconic Lamborghini Miura - A Retrospective

One man’s beautiful is another’s eyesore, yet there are certain cars which seem to appeal to everyone; at the top of that list is undoubtedly Miura.

Seven months after its debut at Turin Auto Show, the bright orange production-ready car caused quite an uproar. Soon afterwards it would captivate movie stars and the automotive press alike and inspire an equally vibrant successor that now keeps Maranello awake at night.

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The Rolling Chassis

Gian Paolo Dallara and Paulo Stanzani of New Zealand race mechanic fame worked to design an exciting car that would capture public imagination, which resulted in the P400 that debuted at Turin Motor Show as a bodyless rolling chassis in 1965.

The chassis consists of a deep-section platform frame constructed from spot-welded 0.9-mm steel to achieve lightness and rigidity. A central tunnel and deep side sills were cut out for easier lightness; yet, this structure can withstand incredible forces generated by powerful engines at high-speed driving.

Ferruccio Lamborghini initially rejected the concept of mid-engine two-seaters as impractical for road cars; nevertheless, his engineers succeeded in fitting their revolutionary V12 engine transversally and receiving orders. Orders began flowing in, including one from Frank Sinatra who visited Sant’Agata to sign for chassis 4846.

The Prototype

Lamborghini’s first two models, the 350 GT and 400GT touring cars, had little in common with its third model – Miura. Conceived as a performance car from its inception as an engineering skunk works project by Gian Paolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani and Bob Wallace (all engineers under 25 with racing backgrounds), it began its life as an experimental racecar.

Ferruccio approved their proposal of creating a mid-engined sports car, and to ensure maximum visibility they displayed their bright orange prototype at Monte Carlo’s Casino Square before the 1966 Monaco Grand Prix race began. When one of their employees revved up its engine, crowds went crazy – 17 orders were received within minutes!

Designers labored day and night to craft bodywork for Lamborghini’s new chassis, dubbed Miura after the Spanish fighting bull breed used as part of its logo. The result was an outstanding masterpiece which would go on to revolutionize sports car history as one of its most renowned vehicles ever created.

The Geneva Motor Show

At the 1965 Geneva Motor Show, the rolling chassis for the Miura made its first public debut and immediately caused quite a sensation. With its exotic mechanicals and mid-engine design – both firsts for Lamborghini at that point – it caused quite an uproar among spectators.

Lamborghini’s young chief designer Gianpaolo Dallara and New Zealand race mechanic Bob Wallace were unconvinced of this criticism; both refused to change the Miura’s transverse engine layout in an effort to create an automobile capable of highway travel. Critics quickly pointed out this flaw. Despite early success of prototype, critics quickly pointed out its incapability as highway transport vehicle due to transverse engine positioning; Gianpaolo Dallara remained undeterred, while Bob Wallace offered his expertise as New Zealand race mechanic Bob Wallace refused.

Ferruccio decided to hold a contest to determine which coach builder would create the body for his chassis, and Nuccio Bertone won. A 25-year old Gandini had recently joined Bertone, so this project marked his debut as an iconic car designer – it turned out beautifully with one of the most breathtaking sports cars ever created, boasting emotion-inducing curves yet remaining free from being dictated by function.

The Production Car

Miura production began in 1966, quickly making an impressionful statement about Modena streets with its 350hp oversquare V12. Soon afterwards it quickly became the favorite vehicle of playboys, movie stars, rock musicians and royalty such as the Shah of Persia (Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra among them).

Dallara designed his steel chassis with spot welding and piercing techniques in mind to minimize weight, but also included a strong center tunnel to add structural rigidity.

Apart from its sweepingly fastback roofline, the body of this classic Italian car features classic Italian lines with some American touches in the form of its fender peak curves and chopped tail. Its hood features louvers that channel air over its engine to keep it cool; getting inside wasn’t quite as straightforward back then since side impact protection wasn’t yet considered necessary and deep sills limited rear legroom.