Lamborghini Miura was the first true supercar with a rear mid-engined two-seat layout, although a road car Matra Djet by Rene Bonnet had a rear mid-engined concept in 1964.
Lamborghini Miura became the fastest production road car when it was released from 1966-1973. It's engine is a 3929CC V12 engine with a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox.
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Miura came into conception by Lamborghini's engineering team who worked at their free time, designed the car against the wishes of Ferrucio Lamborghini, Lamborghini's Founder, who preferred Grand touring cars over race cars like that of his rival Ferrari.
Miura's chasis was showcased at the 1965 Turin Auto Show, and the prototype P400 was first seen at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show; in which it's Lamborghini's big V12 engine had not been put in the P400 because of engineers didn't have the time to check to see if the engine could fit it's compartment. The engine bay was filled with ballast and the hood was kept locked throughout the show. Although Lamborghini Miura was the highlight of the 1966 Geneva Show even though members of the motoring press were not allowed to see P400's power plant.
Awed by the design of P400 by Marcello Gandini. Lamborghini Miura stole the show.
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The name "Miura" is after the famous Spanish fighting bull breeder.
The first model of Lamborghini Miura was called P400 powered by a 3.9L Lamborghini V12 engine by chief engineer Giotto Bizzarrinni.
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Lamborghini Miura gained worldwide attention after being chosen for the opening sequence of the original 1969 version of The Italian Job. The evolution of Lamborghini Miura began with its earliest model known as P400 powered by a 3.9L Lamborghini V12 engine same used in Lamborghini 400GT at the time which was mounted transversely.
A starting price of $20000, at the time in which 275 P400s were produced between 1966-1969.
The P400 had steel frames and doors, with aluminum front and rear skinned body sections. A uniquely placed eyelashes around it's headlamps.
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At the Turin Motor Show in November 1968, the P400S Miura a slightly revised version of the P400 was introduced. The bodywork added Power windows, bright chrome trim around external windows and headlights, more luggage space, new overhead inline console with it's engine delivering additional 20hp totalling 365hp.
338 P400s were built.
In 1971, Lamborghini continued modifications resulted to P400SV or regarded as Miura SV which featured different Cam timing and altered 4X3 barrel Weber carburetors provided the engines additional 15hp totalling 380hp at 7850rpm and maximum torque of 400N.m (295lb-ft) at 5750rpm.
The Miura SV the last and powerful is clearly differentiable from it's predecessor for lack of eyelashes around it's headlamps, with wider fenders to accommodate it's new 9-inch-wide rear wheels.
A total of 150 Miura SVs were produced.
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In 1970, the P400 Jota was created by Lamborghini development driver Bob Wallace that would suit the FIA's Appendix J Racing regulations.
To create the Miura Jota, modications were claimed out on the standard Miura chassis by Wallace, in which steel chassis component and body panels were replaced with lightweight aluminum alloy Avional and the side windows were replaced with plastic, losing 800lb (360kg) than a standard Miura.
The engine modification gave the Miura Jota 418-440bhp at 8800rpm.
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Miura SV/J being a total of six in number but only one produced in the factory and the five converted from existing SVs. Then between 1983 and 1987 another Miura SV/J was built at Lamborghini factory from an unused Miura S chassis.
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Miura Roadster, another one-off was built by Bertone as a show car and sold to International Lead Zinc Research Organization who turned the Roadster into a display-vehicle showcasing the possibilities of using Zinc alloys in cars.
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P400 SVJ Spider is a one-off example of the Miura first displayed at the 1981Geneva Motor Show.
Lamborghini Miura SVJ Spyder was never authorized as a model as was derives from a yellow Miura S presented at he 1971 Geneva Motor Show. The Miura SVJ was known to be stiff and didn't drive well as described by Miura expert Joe Sackey.
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The cost of Lamborghini Miura ranges from $1 million - $3 million.