At the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, Automobili Lamborghini unveiled the Miura. It wasn’t just a new model for the brand—it represented a complete shift in perspective. For the first time, a mass-produced road car featured a transversely mounted mid-engine V12, a layout that was almost exclusively for racing.
Sixty years later, the Sant’Agata Bolognese supercar maker is marking the milestone by revisiting the history of what is often described as the world’s “first true supercar.”
Miura: The Early Days
Photo by: Lamborghini
The idea for the Miura started to take shape in 1964 within Lamborghini’s engineering department. The project was led by Gian Paolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani, with contributions from test driver Bob Wallace.
The first step wasn’t a body design but an innovative chassis, displayed in “naked” form at the 1965 Turin Motor Show. The structure consisted of a welded steel platform with longitudinal crossmembers and extremely thin bulkheads to reduce weight. The chassis alone weighed about 265 pounds.
The engine and gearbox were mounted transversely as a single unit cast in light alloy. This compact solution shortened the wheelbase and concentrated mass between the axles, though it also required careful development to manage vibration, heat, and other engineering challenges.
The V12
Photo by: Lamborghini
Derived from the engine originally designed by Giotto Bizzarrini for the 350 GT, the 60-degree V12 was extensively reworked for the Miura. In the original P400, displacement was 3,929 cc (4.0 liters), fed by four Weber 40 IDL 3C twin-choke carburetors and featuring dual overhead camshafts per cylinder bank.
Output was rated at 350 CV at 7,000 rpm, with a claimed top speed of around 174 mph and a 0–62 mph time of 6.7 seconds—race-car numbers for the era.
With the P400 S in 1968, power increased to 370 CV thanks to revised carburetion and tuning. In 1971, the P400 SV arrived with 385 CV at 7,850 rpm, a wider rear track, and separate lubrication systems for the engine and gearbox. This change improved reliability and thermal management, addressing one of the earlier cars’ key weaknesses. The top speed was said to exceed 180 mph.
Aerodynamics & Design
Photo by: Lamborghini
The Miura’s chassis received its final form thanks to Bertone. Marcello Gandini designed an extremely low body—about 41.3 inches tall—with front and rear clamshell panels hinged for improved mechanical access.
The “eyelashes” around the pop-up headlights—later removed on the SV—became one of the car’s signature design elements. The side intakes and rear vents were not merely stylistic features but practical solutions to the cooling demands of a mid-mounted V12.
Photos by: Lamborghini
Long before modern CFD simulations, the Miura’s aerodynamics were shaped through empirical testing and engineering intuition. At higher speeds, the car developed front-end lift, leading to later adjustments to suspension setup and weight distribution.
With its mass concentrated near the center of the car, the Miura delivered a level of responsiveness that was unusual for front-engined GTs of the time. Steering was direct, the V12’s response immediate and dramatic, and the chassis communicated vividly with the driver.
Still, the Miura demanded experience. Its short wheelbase, relatively narrow track on early versions, and high power made it challenging at the limit. The SV, with revised suspension tuning and wider rear tires, ultimately achieved a more refined dynamic balance.
Cultural Impact
Photo by: Lamborghini
Between 1966 and 1973, Lamborghini produced 763 Miuras—an impressive number for a car with this level of hand-built complexity. The Miura quickly became a cult object among business leaders, artists, and international celebrities.
Its broader pop-culture breakthrough also came through film, with the opening sequence of The Italian Job helping cement its legend.
Photos by: Lamborghini
From an engineering standpoint, the Miura established the template that would define the modern supercar: a mid-engine layout, compact architecture, and instantly recognizable design. Later Lamborghini models—including the Countach, Diablo, Murciélago, Aventador, and Revuelto—evolved this concept without abandoning it.
In 2006, Lamborghini paid tribute to the iconic original with the Miura Concept, a design study showing how contemporary the original idea still felt. For better or worse, though, the nameplate hasn’t made its way back into the Lamborghini lineup as a production model.
Six decades after its debut, the Miura remains far more than a milestone in Lamborghini’s history. Few cars change the direction of an entire industry—but the Miura did exactly that.
48
