Miura, the original supercar

Hi Joe,

That picture is of the Garage in Niavaran Palace after it was taken over after the revolution. It was published in the local newspapers. The guy next to the car is one of the officers who was assigned to look after the palace to prevent looting etc. I beleive the picture of the car is of the SVJ, as that car was kept at the palace rather than the Imperial Garage. The two Rolls Royces next to it were used as ceremonial cars. with one, a landaulet, being used for the anniverssary of the 2500th year of the Monarchy in Perspolis.

The Garage of the Palace is now a museum where the two Rolls Royces as well as a number of motorcycles, bicycles, golf carts etc are all on display by a curator who does her best to keep to keep the vehicles in excellent condition.

Just my two Rials,

Ramin

 

Hi Joe,

The plates are an old version of transit plates used on vehicles when they leave Iran. They are issued by the local Touring Club under FIA auspices. I.e if I drive car out of Iran, I have to use these plates so as to be able to travel through other countries without having to pay Carnet etc. Our entry in the 1997 Peking to Paris Rally (three cars - vintage locally assembled Hillman Hunters) all had plates that were nearly identical to these plates. As the cars in question were taken out of Iran, they were probably issued these plates.

Regards,

Ramin

 

Yes, that's all the story.
SVJ used to be shah's favorite car and was the only one kept in Niavaran Palace besides Rollses and Merc 600 Limos.
And about the wheels of the white Miura, this one was found lacking wheels and the only wheels they could find to fit was a Ferrari 330 GT's.
Sadly all the cars kept in that so called museum are in near terrible state.
Here's another picture showing Shah in his SVJ and his daughter.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Hi,

Awesome picture ! Damet Garm,

Ramin

 

I think you are right!
As you allways are.
They recently added his dark brown Spada and Silver Bizzarini to the so-called Museum too.

 

Great pic! Is this image from a Facebook group?

 

I found this on the internet and I don't know where. I posted it on our "Classic Cars in Iran" group.
I've recently read heard about two or three other gentlemen (carpet dealers) who used to own Miuras, Dinos, Daytonas and some other exotics back in ther early 70's.
Mr Ferdowsian also used to own #5078 when he lived in Paris.

 

Hi Joe,

Isn't this the one that was bought by his son, restored and is still in his keep ? If yes, did this car leave Iran before or after the revolution ?

Thanks in advance for any input,

Regards,

Ramin

 

Hi Joe,

I will check on this. From your answer though, it would seem that this is indeed the one currently in his son's keeping. Correct ?

Regards

Ramin

 

Hi Joe,

The Miura registry states:

"Delivered new to Shah of Iran. 1980s- Car fully restored in UK for Shah's son. 1993- Shown at Louis Vuitton Concours d'Elegance, Hurlingham Club, London. Now has 11,000km."

Given the sentimental value of the car, anything is indeed possible. It says the dealer is called " Sadegh" which is an Iranian name. Any thoughts ?

Best Regards,

Ramin

 

Am I right in thinking the Miura shell that went down the ravine in The Italian Job was a crashed car? In fact, I searched and I already posted this:

"The one tipped over the cliff was an engineless wreck, I think the story was that it was owned by a Shah or a Prince and they wrecked it and it was returned to the factory. You can see it's engineless as it goes over the cliff. The crew said they returned for filming the next day and no parts could be seen in the ravine"

Did the Shah own the crashed car and the one we see driving at the start was the replacement?

 

Any info about other people who bought Miuras in Iran?
I've heard something about carpet dealers who used to have Miuras.

 

Miura featured in the current Classic & Sportscar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVijD_xX0Bo&list=UU_bYl86bVzunnv8mYqPmU1g&index=1

 

It seems they did put the microphones for the sound recording inside the exhaust pipes

 

Hi Joe,

I was just wondering if he had any interesting anecdotes or memories of the Miura's that his father owned (or perhaps some other cars). There is a memory his nephew shares as to how he hoped that he would be given the SVJ after graduating Harvard and joining the airforce, but was given a Ghibli instead after being told "you can have any car... except that one".

You are right about the possibility that the name could be from someone from the inner circcle, or someone sent from the local Embassy (as was common practice) authorized to pick up the car.

Best Regards,

Ramin