The Shah of Iran Miura

[joe sackey]

Originally Posted by johnhoughtaling

napolis: hope to see you soon to, 08 was a difficult year but I look foward to 09.

Joe: thanks for the info.

For those of you who know Joe Sackey and his love for the history of this mark, you'd not be surprised to hear that after I bought the car from Jim, Joe sent me the shah's license plate which was in his collection. He asked for no money but decided it was properly to go with the history of the car. This plate and Joe's history book on 4870 (over a foot thick!) where among the few possesions I took with me during my flight from Katrina. Thanks Joe.

If anyone is interested I can scan a few of the historical documents on the car. Some of them are very facinating, such as the very special bench test that was performed on the Shahs engine on March 24,1971 ( I was exactly three days old at this time)

Indeed the car's build sheet clarifies the ordering party simply as: "Per Lo Scia di Persia". Translation: For The Shah of Persia. Naturally, His Imperial Highness deserved a bit more bhp don't you think? The chaps at Sant Agata certainly thought so and they 'breathed' upon that motor...

Upon completion, lore has it that the men from the Iranian Embassy in Rome gave "4870" a careful checking over (for incendiary & other devices - cant be too careful if your viewed by some as a dictator) before the Shah was allowed anywhere near it. Then it was off to Teheran to join hundreds of other automotive Jewels at the Niavaran Palace garages by military Hercules aircraft... what a life.

Whats neat about the Shah (if you can forget his shortcomings) is that he was a true car guy. Witness the Maserati 5000 GT built in his honor and many special Ferraris and other makes he ordered new. Generous to a fault, his son got a new Countach LP400 for his birthday whilst still a teenager and his nephew (Kamyar Pahlavi) got a Maserati Ghibli Spyder for graduating from Sandhurst. It was the Shah's own car, but upon hearing of his nephew's graduation, he uttered the now famed words: "Here, its yours now".

Oh for a rich uncle....


.

[ClassicFerrari]

Originally Posted by joe sackey

.....Upon completion, lore has it that the men from the Iranian Embassy in Rome gave "4870" a careful checking over (for incendiary & other devices - cant be too careful....

God knows we could have used a couple of these incendiary experts for final inspections at the Lambo & Ferrari factorys back in the day

Great stories Joe, thanks for sharing.

[Jota 5084]

Fascinating story about #4870, i stayed in Iran as a kid -76 to -78 and would love to see that car on the streets.
The only memory i have when the Shah was going some were, was when the 2 Helicopters he used flyed really low over our house.
John, some scan of thoose documents would be really appreciated.

[joe sackey]

Originally Posted by Jota 5084

Fascinating story about #4870, i stayed in Iran as a kid -76 to -78 and would love to see that car on the streets.
The only memory i have when the Shah was going some were, was when the 2 Helicopters he used flyed really low over our house.

According to Kaivon Saleh, whenever the Shah drove 4870 on the streets in and around Teheran, he was tailed by several black Mercedes Benz 600 SWB filled with the 'men in black' (SAVAK - google it)...


.

[EMILIO]

Originally Posted by joe sackey

According to Kaivon Saleh, whenever the Shah drove 4870 on the streets in and around Teheran, he was tailed by several black Mercedes Benz 600 SWB filled with the 'men in black' (SAVAK - google it)...


.

this car has quite a story

[LAMBORYDER]

What a great story! Thank you so much for sharing #4870s history. John you have an amazing collection and I would love to see some historical documentation on this car. It is very much appreciated when private collectors are willing to share a peak at what gems they have hidden away. For a car enthusiast like myself, getting to view a "Private" collection is a cherished memory you hold on to for life.

[joe sackey]

Originally Posted by Jota 5084

Fascinating story about #4870, i stayed in Iran as a kid -76 to -78 and would love to see that car on the streets.
The only memory i have when the Shah was going some were, was when the 2 Helicopters he used flyed really low over our house.
John, some scan of thoose documents would be really appreciated.

I forgot to mention that a friend of mine grew up in Teheran and as a kid saw the Shah driving the blue Lamborghini Miura SV tailed by the SAVAK guys in Mercedes 600s, lamps ablaze. He was dumbstruck by the sight & sound of the Lamborghini. His testimony essentially corroborates Saleh's (the two don't know each other).

The young man moved to the USA, became a dentist in Southern California, and guess what sports car he purchased as soon as he could afford one? A Lamborghini, of course....

.

[EMILIO]

Originally Posted by joe sackey

I forgot to mention that a friend of mine grew up in Teheran and as a kid saw the Shah driving the blue Lamborghini Miura SV tailed by the SAVAK guys in Mercedes 600s, lamps ablaze. He was dumbstruck by the sight & sound of the Lamborghini. His testimony essentially corroborates Saleh's (the two don't know each other).

The young man moved to the USA, became a dentist in Southern California, and guess what sports car he purchased as soon as he could afford one? A Lamborghini, of course....

.

the old V12s tend to leave a "great" impression on young kids...you can forget about them for some time but sooner or later the lust will come back

[Ray G]

Sorry to be off topic but do you have any additional photos of your office? It looks amazing!

[Wade]

Absolutely breathtaking in person!

[LightGuy]

Thanks for sharing John, Joe, and others with pics etc.
Looking at the engine compartment with the velocity stacked carbs give me new determination to do the same with my carbed Boxer.
Sweet !

[360C]

Originally Posted by Wade

Absolutely breathtaking in person!

My personal favourite Miura. You are most fortunate to be it's custodian and it looks like it is in good hands

[mattymouse33]

Originally Posted by johnhoughtaling

napolis: hope to see you soon to, 08 was a difficult year but I look foward to 09.

Joe: thanks for the info.

For those of you who know Joe Sackey and his love for the history of this mark, you'd not be surprised to hear that after I bought the car from Jim, Joe sent me the shah's license plate which was in his collection. He asked for no money but decided it was properly to go with the history of the car. This plate and Joe's history book on 4870 (over a foot thick!) where among the few possesions I took with me during my flight from Katrina. Thanks Joe.

If anyone is interested I can scan a few of the historical documents on the car. Some of them are very facinating, such as the very special bench test that was performed on the Shahs engine on March 24,1971 ( I was exactly three days old at this time)

John,

Sounds like you have had some really memorable times with the car and the others i assume. The dating the supermodel did it for me, sounds fantastic!

By the way, what are your plans for the hanger?

Regards

Matthew

[EMILIO]

Originally Posted by Wade

Absolutely breathtaking in person!

great car

there is one of lambo F1 cars in the pics

[Wade]

Originally Posted by 360C

My personal favourite Miura. You are most fortunate to be it's custodian and it looks like it is in good hands

Wish it were mine

I was just lucky enough to see John's Miura in person that day. I did miss out on hearing it come to life.

Originally Posted by EMILIO

great car

there is one of lambo F1 cars in the pics

Another fine piece of automotive history.

[raymondQV]

Originally Posted by Wade

Another fine piece of automotive history.

I have the original race overall of Nicola Larini when he drove this car :-)

[johnhoughtaling]

Ray G:

Sure, attached are some of my office photos. A little memorabilia of my collection that you may see in each photo. A "little finding waldo"

[johnhoughtaling]

Two more

[Ray G]

Love that furniture! Thanks for the pics!

[raymondQV]

Matching to the F1...