A Driving Legend – The Lamborghini Miura SV celebrates its 50th anniversary

 THE MIURA SV DIFFERS FROM ITS SISTER MODELS MIURA P400 AND P400 S

Despite its generally identical structure with a transversely mounted, 4-litre, 12-cylinder mid-engine, the SV has a stiffer frame, reinforced in some crucial places, and a revised rear suspension at the anchorage points with a new shape of the handlebars and a track width that is almost 130 mm wider.

In this version, it has front and rear tyres with different dimensions as a result. The 7 to 9 inch rear rims are fitted with 255 mm wide tyres and have a sportier look compared to their siblings.

Since the start of production, the gold version has been the most popular. It is therefore not surprising that the majority of the Miura SV produced is presented with just this equipment variant.

In the course of the technical modifications also the forms of the Miura changed. Responsible for this was Marcello Gandini, who was already in charge of the original Miura. The SV is visually impressive with wider rear wings, redesigned rear lights and a front flap with a newly designed air intake for the radiator.

THE LAMBORGHINI MIURA’S FAMOUS EYELASHES FALL VICTIM TO PRODUCTION TIMES.

It is precisely on this front hatch that the most striking stylistic change to the Miura SV can be found, namely the missing, iconic “eyelashes” around the headlights.

This drastic change was not for technical reasons, but was demanded by Ferruccio Lamborghini himself. The assembly and finishing of the eyelashes was considered complex, and at the same time the production times of the Miura had to be reduced.

Of course, Ferruccio Lamborghini did not want to do without the iconic element on his own Miura SV, and so today it is the only SV to present itself with the coquettish eye-lash.

Compared to its predecessors, the SV’s interior comes with a new, even more refined look, notable for the more extensive use of leather on the trim and various chrome elements.

The stated top speed of the Miura SV is over 290 km/h, the Miura SV covers one kilometre from a standstill in less than 24 seconds – absolute top values for the time.

At the beginning of 1973 the production of the Lamborghini Miura SV was stopped after 150 cars had been produced. A last example was expressly requested by the former racing stable owner, Walter Wolf, in 1975 and can be seen today at the Mudetec.

The Miura SV marked the end of an era in which maximum speed and flowing lines set the tone. A unique time in which a small group of young men, driven by an innate passion and highly competent technically, were able to realise what is considered by many, then as now, to be one of the most beautiful production cars ever produced.

Text: Lennart Klein Pictures: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

Author: Lennart Klein

Lennart Klein ist Redakteur beim Classic Trader Magazin. Seine Begeisterung gilt zwei- und vierrädrigen Klassikern gleichermaßen. Traum-Klassiker: Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior & Mercedes-Benz 600. View all posts by Lennart Klein →