Meet the Brazilian Miura: A Less Known Unique Sports Car

Less KNOWN - Miura may not be a name that instantly sparks recognition in the minds of global car enthusiasts, but for those in Brazil, it represents a significant chapter in the nation's automotive history. While most associate the name "Miura" with the legendary Italian Lamborghini supercar, there was another Miura that roared to life in the 1970s, far from the luxury of European roads. 

A selection of Miura cars throughout the brand's history, from left to right: Miura Top Sport, Miura Targa, Miura Sport, and Miura MTS. (Picture from: RareComponentCars in Facebook)

This Miura, born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, tells a fascinating story of ambition, creativity, and ingenuity. Its story began in 1975, two business partners from Brazil’s southern region, Aldo Besson and Itelmar Gobbi, decided to embark on a bold venture. Their expertise in banking and automotive accessories laid the foundation for something entirely new—a Brazilian sports car.

Resembling something from Bertone, Ghia, or ItalDesign, this was the prototype Miura Sport unveiled in 1977. (Picture from: RareComponentCars in Facebook)

The duo sought to create something distinctive, a car that would reflect both the growing passion for automobiles in Brazil and their vision for design. With a unique design sketched by architecture student Nilo Laschuck, the Miura sportscar was ready to make its mark.

The Miura Sport, shown here in the 1978 model, features a striking wedge-shaped fiberglass body that immediately stood out, captivating onlookers with its modern and daring aesthetics. (Picture from: RareComponentCars in Facebook)

In 1977, the first Miura model, known as the Miura Sport, was unveiled. Its striking wedge-shaped fiberglass body stood out immediately, captivating onlookers with its modern and daring aesthetics. The car's concealed headlights, hidden windshield wipers, and sharply raked windshield were ahead of their time, offering a futuristic look that garnered widespread attention. It was not just the exterior that impressed; the Miura had several unique touches that made it stand out among Brazilian cars of the era.

With a design reminiscent of an Italian concept car, the original Miura Sport interior was considered high style for 1977. (Picture from: RareComponentCars in Facebook)

The rear of the Miura was a particular highlight, featuring exclusive taillights and a well-integrated plastic bumper. With bespoke 14-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 185/70 tires, the car had an unmistakable presence. However, the boldness of the Miura Sport extended beyond its exterior. Its interior was equally refined, with fully upholstered seats, sporting adjustable headrests, were comfortable and ergonomic, a rarity in many Brazilian cars of that era .

The 1978 Miura Sport, showcasing its door panels, dashboard, and hatchback, exemplified high style—especially for 1978 in Brazil. (Picture from: RareComponentCars in Facebook)

The dashboard was not only functional but stylish, with nylon detailing and a unique instrument cluster. The Miura Sport didn’t stop there—it offered an advanced instrument panel with gauges to monitor essential aspects such as voltage, temperature, and oil pressure, adding a touch of sophistication to the driving experience.

The Miura MTS aka Sport 2, shown here in the 1981 model, features a more powerful engine from the Volkswagen Passat TS, giving it an 88-horsepower output and a noticeable improvement in performance. (Picture from: RareComponentCars in Facebook)

But as remarkable as its design was, the Miura’s performance left something to be desired. The first model, powered by a 65-horsepower, 1.6-liter air-cooled engine borrowed from the Volkswagen Brasilia, was underwhelming in terms of speed.  

The Miura MTS aka Sport 2, shown here in the 1981 model, shown with one of a number of bespoke alloy wheel designs offered. (Picture from: RareComponentCars in Facebook)

With a top speed of 83 mph and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph taking 20 seconds, the car was not the fastest on the road. Still, the Miura Sport boasted features such as disc brakes at the front, drums at rear, an independent front suspension, and a four-speed manual gearbox, which contributed to its appeal despite the modest power output.

The Miura MTS aka Sport 2, shown here in the 1981 model, showing its revised rear deck with venting for its new motor, taken from the VW Passat TS of the period. (Picture from: RareComponentCars in Facebook)

The Miura underwent a significant transformation in 1979 with the introduction of the Miura MTS aka Sport 2. This model featured a more powerful engine from the Volkswagen Passat TS, giving it an 88-horsepower output and a noticeable improvement in performance. With this upgrade, the car could reach a top speed of 111 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 11.5 seconds. For a Brazilian-made sports car, this was a remarkable leap forward.

The Miura Targa, shown here in the 1984 model, was a sports car that was manufactured by Brazilian automaker Miura from 1982 to 1988. (Picture from: BrazilianClassicCars)

Innovations didn’t stop there. The Miura MTS also introduced features that were unheard of in Brazilian cars at the time, such as an electric tilting steering wheel and adjustable pedals. These additions allowed drivers to customize their driving experience, further enhancing the car's appeal. Optional extras included power windows, air conditioning, and even a radio with a cassette player, making the Miura MTS one of the most well-equipped cars in the country.

The Miura Saga, shown here in the 1988 model, was a sports car that was manufactured by Brazilian automaker Miura from 1984 to 1988. (Picture from: KombiBrazil in Facebook)

The Miura brand continued to evolve with the introduction of several models following the Sport and MTS, such as the Targa, Saga, and Top Sport, etc. Each year, the cars were improved in both design and functionality, further cementing Miura’s reputation as a bold innovator in the Brazilian automotive industry. 

The Miura Top Sport, shown here in the 1990 model, was a sports car that was manufactured by Brazilian automaker Miura from 1989 to 1992. (Picture from: DeviantArt)

However, as the 1980s drew to a close, the landscape began to shift. The reopening of Brazil's import market in the early 1990s brought stiff competition from established global brands, offering cars that were both more advanced and affordable. As a result, niche Brazilian carmakers like Miura faced an uphill battle. | O_SKjWTzoH4 |

By 1992, Miura, along with other Brazilian specialty brands like Puma and Ventura, bowed out of the industry. However, its legacy was far from forgotten. Miura remains a beloved name among car enthusiasts in Brazil, with dedicated fans and owners’ clubs keeping the memory of this remarkable sports car alive. Even though its time on the road was brief, the Miura’s contribution to Brazil's automotive history remains undeniable, a true testament to the creativity and passion that drove its creation. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RARECOMPONENTCARS |  CLASSICANDSPORTSCAR | BRAZILIANCLASSICCARS | KOMBIBRAZIL | DEVIANTART | WIKIPEDIA ]

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