This dramatic road car lifted Lamborghini to the manufacturer
of advanced supercars, surpassing Ferrari in some pundits
eyes.
Ferruccio Lamborghini used a young team to design a super-sportscar
and they used principles from the latest F1 cars and sports
racers. Ferruccio deemed this car to be more of a show
car, but the Miura (named after a Spanish fighting bull)
became one of Lamborghini's biggest and most profitable
models.
The engine was a 350bhp V12 and was mounted transversely
behind the cockpit. At the back of the engine was a special
transaxle with a light alloy crank case seen as unique
in such a high performance vehicle.
Coil springs and wishbones suspended the chassis. Marcello
Gandini added some appealing style to the Miura. "Eyelashes"
were added to the flip-up lights along with a louvered
engine cover making it arguably the best-looking Lamborghini
ever.
A year later it went into full manufacture with its top
speed being 273 km/h and its balance, traction and cornering
putting it head and shoulders above the rest. Its only
complaints were noise whilst driving, and the heavy gear
change.
The S model of 1969 had a stiffer chassis, its tires were
wider and its suspension was better. It also had vented
disc brakes, air-conditioning and power windows.
The 1971
SV was seen as the best with its redesigned front and
rear suspension which stopped aerodynamic lift. The SV
lasted only one year, finishing in 1972.