Miura: The Most Valuable and Prettiest Raging Bull Sports Car Ever

Most Valuable ONES - Perhaps some of you may not be as familiar with the classic Lamborghini Miura as you are with newer models like the Huracán, Aventador, or Gallardo. Yet, the Lamborghini Miura can be hailed as the trailblazer for the stunning sports cars bearing the iconic Raging Bull emblem. Its debut on the public stage occurred at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, though the chassis had already made its presence known in 1965. What's the captivating tale behind this beauty? Let's dive into the narrative.

1966 Lamborghini P400 Prototipo. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

The inception of Automobili Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese boasts a unique origin story. It's widely recounted that it all began when Ferruccio Lamborghini expressed dissatisfaction with the clutch of his Ferrari 250 GTE, leading to a grievance lodged with Enzo Ferrari himself. As time unfurled, in 1963, Ferruccio Lamborghini ventured into the realm of automobile manufacturing, birthing his own car company. Success swiftly followed with the production of the 350 GT and 400 GT coupes in 1964, marking the inception of this Italian company's journey towards becoming a renowned automaker.

The P400 lightweight chassis made of 1965, ready to house a 3.9-liter V12 engine. (Picture from: Suara)

In 1965, as part of their relentless pursuit of innovation, Lamborghini unveiled a new model. The design and engineering team, all in their late twenties, spearheaded this venture. Chief engineer Gian Paolo Dallara was brimming with enthusiasm to create an innovative vehicle that would cement Lamborghini's legacy in the competitive world of automotive manufacturing. Initially known as project P400, which translates to "4-liter rear-drive engine" in Italian, this car was built on a robust yet lightweight chassis, ready to house a 3.9-liter V12 engine, identical to the one employed in the Lamborghini 400 GT.

1968 Lamborhini Miura P400. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

The new car necessitated a mid-mounted engine with a low-slung profile, graced by the visionary styling of Bertone's Marcello Gandini. The culmination of their efforts resulted in the Lamborghini Miura, unveiled in all its glory at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. It boasted a 350-horsepower 4.0-liter V12 engine, designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and ingeniously mounted transversely. The front and rear decks, crafted from aluminum, opened with a clamshell-like grace.

Interior view of  Lamborghini Miura P400. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

Inside, steeply reclined seats nestled behind a stylish two-pod instrument panel adorned with additional gauges in the center stack. Thus, the Miura P400 came into existence. The journey continued with the Miura P400S in 1968, enhancing interior quality, revamping the rear suspension, and boosting horsepower by 20, bringing the total to 370 horses.

1969 Lamborhini Miura P400S. (Picture from: Suara)

In 1971, the Miura P400SV made its entrance, initially as a special order car. This edition featured widened rear fenders to accommodate bulkier 15-inch rims and tires, redesigned taillights, a fresh nose design, and a power bump to 385 horsepower. The broader rear track, along with structural chassis reinforcement, rendered the Miura SV exceptionally capable, boasting a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of around 180 mph – bona fide supercar figures of its era. The Miura's production run came to a close in 1973, making way for the radical new Countach, which reached its final form the following year.

1971 Lamborghini Miura P400SV. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

Although Ferruccio Lamborghini never formalized plans to race the Miura, the renowned test driver Bob Wallace played a pivotal role in developing the Miura P400 Jota, a prototype designed to meet FIA motorsport regulations. The Jota featured an all-aluminum chassis and body for significant weight savings, while the V12 engine was tuned to produce over 400 horsepower at nearly 9,000 rpm. Notable body enhancements included a front spoiler, fixed headlights with fairings, and substantial suspension modifications.

1970 Lamborghini Miura P400 Jota built based of Miura's chassis #5084. (Picture from: SupercarNostalgia)

While there were no intentions to enter this vehicle into competition, word quickly spread about this factory-made race car. Six Lamborghini enthusiasts ordered cars in the spirit of the Jota, known as the Miura SV/J, directly from the factory. It's worth noting that Lamborghini later converted several more Miuras into SV/J specifications. Additionally, one prototype of the Miura P400 Roadster, Bertone's concept car, still exists today. Hence, it was unsurprising when a special Lamborghini model resurfaced as a tribute to the Miura in 2016. 

1972 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV/J. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

In terms of price, the most expensive Lamborghini Miura, the final unit produced in 1971, can command around 2.5 million US dollars or approximately Rp. 36.25 billion (as of 2018). In 2022, a British insurance company, Confused, named the venerable Lamborghini Miura sports car as the most valuable classic car, surpassing legendary classics like the Ferrari F40, Ferrari 250 GTO, and others.

1968 Lamborhini Miura P400 Roadster. (Picture from: DrivingLine)

Confused utilized a unique calculation method for this determination, considering around 2,000 classic cars that have left an indelible mark on the global automotive industry. The assessment spanned from 2019 to 2022, examining factors such as production numbers, car prices in May 2019, current car prices, and Google search volumes for car names.

From this comprehensive assessment, the Lamborghini Miura was declared the most valuable classic car, securing the top spot in the ranking. The Ferrari F40, the last car personally approved by Enzo Ferrari, narrowly trailed behind the Miura. The Lamborghini Miura's enduring allure stems from its revolutionary design and performance, making it an everlasting symbol of Italian automotive prowess. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAMBORGHINI | SUPERCARS.NET | MOTORTREND | STUFF ]

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