Miura, the original supercar

Read with care.

Poorly-researched or intentional myth proclamation?

How many can you spot?
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I have no idea what the Italian Job reference on the cover is about.

The Miura's aerodynamic properties have been discussed ad nauseum but this sounds a bit embellished.

"On the Autostrada the front took off" (allegedly at more than 180 mph!!!) "and all he could see was blue sky, but he managed to get it down straight and square".

I guess some fish continue to grow long after they're caught and supercars deserve really big BS.

 

Intentional myth proclamation !!!! when you read to whom all the thanks are focus on...
At least, we've already spoken about one topic : the last ever Miura VIN number...

 

According the article the SVJ is now with an owner in Italy, is that correct?

 

Thank you for the great Miura in shop photos. I would agree with Tim that there is a lot of engineering creativity in mounting Miura engines and Miura chassis for work. More photos would be best! It looks like this chassis has had triangle braces added the the front. A closer photo could let us see how they chose to do this. 341 is an early S model that seems to have been under the radar for quite a while.
Craig

 

Tim, Thank you for the Miura engine stand photos. Very nice! I noticed Olivier's photos seem to show a large plywood shelf. Probably for temp storage, a little cumbersome for assembly.
Craig

 

Joe, We love the air time....16 pages in this issue with Miura. Yes the text is fun to read, but it is always simply entertainment. Great Longstone girlie ad! Check the funnies on 3171! If you havent bought a Classic and Sports Cars lately, this is a good issue to buy!

Another fun read is the current ClassicCarsMagazine "Top 50 cars of the 60's", a UK magazine format, special edition. Compares a 67 P400 to a 73 365GTB/4 Daytona, WTF? but nice photos and entertaining read.
Craig

 

Glad you liked it Craig. It's just one of the many special tools that one needs to work on these cars. The apparatus to rotate the engine nearly vertical (safely) when removing and reinstalling it in the car was another challenge. I've used several setups and finally fixed on one that works pretty well but I didn't take any good pictures. Next time for sure.

I had to work it out the first time from scratch as it's a missing page (TAV XXVI) in the Miura Workshop Manual, no help there. If anyone has a copy of this, it would be fun to see how the factory did it.

 

The 1969 movie starring Michael Caine not the 2003 Mark Wahlberg movie of the same name.

 

I am of course familiar with the original movie, I just didn't get what that had to do with todays magazine article.

 

Graig,
Yes you are right they have added the front mounting to reinforce chassis flexibility...
this Miura was in same owner's hands for quite last 15 years in France, he was playing in his property, shifting 2nd & 3rd gear. When the new owner bought it, after his first 100km he noticed immediately that the clutch was over...leading to dismantle engine because the mainshaft was shaking/moving from left to right by 8mm...so there is a brand new one waiting for rebuilding !
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1. Miura SV 5110 is not last SV
2. Frank Sinatra bought a miura : it is VIN 4407 (owned by a guy in northern Europe i think)
3. Wild Boar (pelle Cinghiale): some miuras actually used it.


beside this... the article is entertaining and the pics are COOL

 

About this car, Simon Kidston is explaining another theory about "a doctor Sinatra" registered in the original files...leading everyone to the mistake of Frank Sinatra having owned one once...

Joe, can you tell us more about this affirmation ?

How does Kidston can have access to factory files-AUDI as he is not a Lamborghini employee and he is a car broker... did you have access to these files while preparing your Miura book ? Are these files public now ? Who do we have to ask for that ? Valentino who is no longer at factory ?

 

4. Miura SVJ 4934 had no such thing as "studded snow tires".

*Roll Eyes*

 

Olivier:

The 'story' propagated in the article by the aforementioned person is complete & utter nonsense, borne of nothing more than unprofessional sour grapes because he failed in his quest to discover the long-lost Frank Sinatra Miura P400S 4407 and sell it. I did. No "Doctor Sinatra" ever brought a Miura P400S to the USA. Also, Frank Sinatra's ownership of the car is documented on the factory's original Miura production register, and the car's current Scandinavian owner has same in his possession. Frank Sinatra's ownership of 4407 was investigated by a diligent third party, Christies International Motorcars. They spoke to Nancy Sinatra (his daughter), Ubaldo Sgarzi (the factory sales manager who received Frank Sinatra privately at the factory and sold him the car personally) and other parties. All corroborate the documentation and affirm Frank Sinatra's ownership. The details on the car - the orange paint and the unique orange shag-pile carpeting done to match Sinatra's private jet and Palm Springs home are all confirmed by Nancy Sinatra. It is simply beyond any doubt.

The mention in the article that Wild Boar does not exist just shows total ignorance of Miura and Lamborghini history. The factory used Wild Boar (pelle Cinghiale) on at least half-a-dozen cars, and it really was just a fancy name for natural-colored pigskin.

But, I ask every one to consider the source of all this BS: just what type of person would propagate myths of "studded snow tires", and other erroneous information? I submit that IMO it would be a person who propagates mis-information about their own car, going to the extent of installing a self-made non-original plaque to perpetuate the 'story'. That type of person. If you look at it that way, its understandable.

 

Joe, I TOTALLY AGREE...it makes me angry to have to demonstrate to several Lambo owners/fellows that the "aforementioned person" is not of the kind to recommend because he is only BS them & other people in order to make money right now or in the future.

Also using his relationship at factory as references... same guys as we both know personnaly...

Profitability is one thing, and any car borker deserves to make money over his work...BUT providing informations to stupid journalist who drink these like "bible flows"... I cannot accept/tolerate when I know that all these false references are only orientated on profit/ based/on lies => ROI if you prefer...

 

Forgot to say that the article has very nice pictures!

 

Joe, I'm looking for information on 4972.

According to the Lamborghini Registry it was originally LHD, later converted to RHD by Graypaul Ferrari. Jay Kay purchased the car in 2004 and sold it in 2005. The car is currently in Ireland.

Any other information is appreciated.

 

Aaron:

This one has a long history. I saw the car a couple times 25 years ago when Hew Dundas (HRD Racing) owned it. He told me he bought it from Peter Oates. It was the car featured in SUPERCLASSICS when Hew had it. Hew sold it on at the end of the 80s I think. It bummed around in the trade for a while. That fills in the gap between Graypaul and Jay Kay.

 

Thanks Joe.

 

I bought this number, it was (Finland's cheap price 10e) but the story was an exelent!

 

Estimated at 300-320K GBP
http://www.coys.co.uk/auctions/lot.php?auction=94&id=57098

 

French owner can't sell it in France for 340.000 euro...
There is quiet a while it's in french magazines...and they all made the same mistake : "engine rebuilt by Sisley"...ah ...ah ... ah... "Ciclet" they meant...

 

Just thinking aloud today: anyone ever considered changing out the heater unit for an aftermarket A/C unit? Appears to be enough room in there for an evaporator and a blower.

 

A Miura is now being sold in Monaco --> http://www.prestigecars.mc/slideshow/stocklist.php