Miura, the original supercar

Didn't know it was the same car. Miuras look good in Lime Green but White is even better.

 

Looks like 3640, recently for sale at Cheshire Classic Cars

http://www.cheshireclassiccars.co.uk/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=54&Itemid=

Nice to see it back to the original green/black. Wonder who the "most respected living Miura experts" are that consulted on it.

 

As well as Joe Sackey, who are the most respected living Miura experts?

I wonder if the original wheels were sold with the car? Actually, I think there could be quite a few Miuras running around on non original aluminium wheels instead of the original Magnesium Campagnolos which must cost a fortune (if still available???). Something for any potential Miura buyer to look out for when considering a car for sale.

 

Well the door mirrors look better than when the car was white. Also, it is obvious how much more the rear wheels are filling the arches after the restoration. Is the rear engine hood (some people call it a clam?) wider on the SV than on the Miura & Miura S? Even though those rear wheels are filling the arches, it don't look like an SV rear end (to me).

 

The mirrors do look much better now. I think Olivier's Miura 3015 had a similar square black mirror too. Yes, the rear clam is wider on the SV with much sexier haunches. This car has the standard P400 clam. Look in the pics at how the rear flares out on an SV. Miura SV = Sexiest road car, ever! Only the Ferrari sports racing cars like the P4 are better but these didn't need the compromises a road car needs and as for road cars imho only the Boxer come close.
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Here's a question about SVs then. As mentioned, there are various Miuras that have been modified to both look like an SV, and perform better than the Miura & Miura S (in other words, like an SV). If one of these cars is modified to SV spec. at the Lamborghini factory, would this then be accepted as an SV or not?

 

From the informations I've collected about #3015, according to mechanic who did it (still alive & one of my LCB member) 1st engine rebuilt was justified because it did several hillclimbs in Belgium and it was smoking about 1 liter of oil every 250 km... was the hillclimbs use or the fact it was the 24th Miura produced (so a very early ones)... still with some suppliers quality problems... I've my father's best friend who had his Islero engine rebuilt also for the same reason...

2nd engine rebuilt was justified because the car standed at 1st owner's barn for more than 10 years without moving & even starting. The 2nd owner bought it in this shape in the beginning of the 80s, he is what I can consider to be a neightboor... 5 miles away from my parent's place. I have the original invoice of this rebuilt done by late Zuliani, French Lambo expert as well known as Ciclet.

3rd one was done by previous owner by the end of '90s...

and it needs by anticipation a partial rebuilt now due to a weak oil pump !

44 years old...

it will be interesting to know how many times some others Miura had their engine rebuilt too ???

 

Just my .02, but I've owned both an S and an SV, and I personally can't make the claim that the SV was a better performer. In fact, under typical driving conditions, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. I personally wouldn't call the SV "better looking" either, but that is just subjective opinion.

 

Completely agree. I think the original styling is better looking, just like the early lp400's are better looking than the later Countach's. And yes, it is subjective.

 

Progressively, and with each successive version, the Miura did become better developed as a result of feedback from owners and the work of Bob Wallace, and I'm sure other Lamborghini engineers and drivers, most notable of which is chassis strength and rigidity.

 

Very interesting, Olivier and thank you for your reply. To what degree was the engine rebuilt on each of these occasions? Was it just say the piston rings and valve guides being replaced or were the rebuilds more substantial with the valves, cams, pistons, liners and crank bearings all replaced on these rebuilds? Has the weak oil pump caused camshaft and valve wear?

Yes, it would be very interesting if others could share their experience of Miura mechanical longevity and if any remedial work or rebuilds were necessary during ownership, and at what mileages.

 

1st rebuilt : piston rings, crank bearings, gaskets
2nd rebuilt : full rebuilt
3rd rebuilt : full rebuilt

Actually, the oil pump was at 1 to 1.5 kg pressure while standing at 1,200 rpm, so maintaining with throttle at 2,200 rpm it raised at 4 to 5 kg, while driving it kept its standard pressure. The oil pump needs to be rebuilt, mechanic guy openned the engine from the bottom, there is no need to change pistons or only piston rings => only crank bearing + rods bolts will have to be replaced... I cannot be more transparent !

 

Yes, I totally accept that both looks and performance of the various Miuras is down to personal opinion. For me, the wider rear haunches and wheels filling the SV just made it look that bit better. Sadly, I've never been in a Miura so can only go on what people who have driven the cars say. I suppose the theory is that as a car evolves, it gets better, but as yourself and others have said, it isn't always the case.

 

Anyone who's read 'The Lamborghini Miura Bible' and of course your valued input here would disagree with you.

 

Yes, when you see a genuine SV rear haunches there's more curves to it, dare I say it, like a curvy woman's waist and hips. The Miura S is a slimmer woman, the SV a woman with a nice waist and slightly curvier hips! The SVJ would be a woman with a nice waist and much larger hips! How much wider is the SV rear end, I'm guessing it must be about 50mm each side? To me, it just makes it that little bit sexier, it's almost perfect as regards looks.

 

The information on the width of the rear end is on page 90 of the 'The Lamborghini Miura Bible' which I know you have. As well as Joe's pic above there's a great pic on page 87 of how the rear flares out. The SVJ's weren't wider than an SV as far as I know. You were probably thinking of the real Jota (or Piet Pulfurd's Jota replica) or the Kyosho model Jota SVR and the car that it's a model of.

 

Yes, I was mainly thinking of 1OTA which I've been lucky enough to see just after it was finished, (at Goodwood I believe), at Brooklands and at the Heritage Motor Museum in Gaydon. It's seriously wide and sounds amazing with the short exhausts. I would love to follow that car on the open road!

 

http://www.themiuraregister.com/miura/register.php?id=29

Yes, seriously voluptuous and look at the pipes on that beast!


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