In 1966, the Lamborghini V12 engine firmly established itself as an all-time legend when mounted transversely in the rear center position on the P400 Miura: the car that coined the term “supercar”.

Less than two years after Lamborghini was founded in 1963, the still small Sant’Agata Bolognese company had managed to establish itself at the forefront of the difficult grand touring car market and the 350 GT was produced stably.

Ferruccio Lamborghini is pleased that he won his personal technical challenge despite widespread initial skepticism. However, he still dreamed of creating an even more stunning car that would blow everyone away. And that’s just what happened.

It’s all about the Miura in the latest chapter of the V12 story, the engine that has powered iconic cars for nearly 60 years and has come to epitomize the foundation of Lamborghini’s DNA. : technological innovation, vision and technical expertise.

2022 is the year of the last pure internal combustion engine Lamborghini V12. Mounted on the Aventador Ultimae, it brings down the curtain on a glorious era ahead of the first hybrid model produced in 2023, marking the beginning of hybridization at Lamborghini.

In charge of the technical aspect were young engineers Giampaolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani, who were responsible for development and production at Automobilei Lamborghini at the time.

An important part of the Miura’s success was – and continues to be – thanks to its exceptional engine: a 4-liter 60° V12 with four Weber 40 IDL 3L carburetors producing a maximum power of 350 CV, 370 CV and 385 CV on the P400, Model P400S and P400SV respectively. That was enough to make it the fastest production road car in the world at the time.

Carrozzeria Bertone’s striking design did the rest and the Miura achieved unprecedented sales for a Lamborghini car. The initial forecast was that 50 cars would be sold within three years, but the total eventually reached 763 cars over seven years, from 1966 to 1973.

Engineer Paolo Stanzani (1936-2017) was one of the first people hired by Ferruccio Lamborghini. Appointed immediately after graduating from the University of Modena, he became one of the most important figures in the V12 and Miura saga.

Stanzani was the man who took the V12 engine designed by engineer Giotto Bizzarrini and made it suitable for mass production and road use.

In addition, Stanzani was part of a small team of young talents that developed and created the Miura and its advanced technical features.

He held many different roles at Lamborghini, from Technical Director to Production Director and General Manager. As well as the Miura, he made important contributions to the production of the Countach, Espada and Urraco, the latter of which was his personal favorite.

As soon as it was introduced, Miura became the most sought after car by film directors. It has appeared in no less than 43 films, often in a leading role.

One of the most famous films is certainly 1969’s “The Italian Job.” Lasting over three minutes, the entire opening sequence is dedicated to Rossano Brazzi driving a P400 Miura as Matt Monro sings “On Days Like These ”.

The sound of a V12 engine revving up can be heard in the background of the scene that has achieved cult status in the world of car movies. Miura has appeared on the covers of dozens of car magazines and other publications.

The first time it appeared in an international newspaper article was in November 1966. The article in question was in the weekly magazine Autocar and it was by Paul Frère, the Belgian racing driver turned journalist.

Without a doubt, the most famous article is the one written by British journalist Leonard “LJK” Setright for the British monthly magazine CAR. Divided into two parts, it describes the excitement of the journey from Sant’Agata Bolognese to London in the P400 Miura.

Compiling a comprehensive list of individuals who have owned a Miura over the years is a difficult task. For example, Little Tony and Rod Stewart both own more than one; Eddie Van Halen has kept it for over 30 years; and Jay Kay of Jamiroquai are still there today.

Other examples of notable Miura owners include actor Peter Sellers; model Twiggy; singers Johnny Hallyday and Elton John; opera singer Grace Bumbry; jazz musician Miles Davis; racing driver Jean-Pierre Beltoise; and finally the Shah of Iran, who owned several Miuras, including one of only four SVJs ever produced.

The Lamborghini Miura is a sports car produced by the Italian automaker Lamborghini from 1966 to 1973. The car was the first supercar to feature a two-seat layout with a mid-rear engine, although this concept first seen on a production road car with René Bonnet’s Matra Djet. , introduced in 1964.

When launched, it was the fastest production road car. The Miura was originally conceived by Lamborghini’s team of engineers, who designed the car in their spare time, against the wishes of company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, who preferred grand yet powerful touring cars. more powerful than the racing-derived machines produced by local rival Ferrari.

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