Six decades ago, a gang of rowdy young engineers at Lamborghini’s factory at Sant’Agata Bolognese began work on a sports car that would irrevocably alter the course of high-performance automobiles. Rather than follow the then tried and true front-engined grand tourer configuration, they set a powerful V12 well behind the driver, in a compact, intense package that melded spectacular roadcar performance with a radical new approach.

In its own day the Lamborghini Miura was more than just a radical technical showoff; it established the template for the modern supercar. Its lightweight chassis design, transversally mounted central engine, beautiful Bertone body, thumping V12 and almost absurd rarity meant that the Miura was unlike almost anything else on sale. There’s the legend of its first appearance as little more than a chassis at the 1965 Turin Motor Show, the legend of the P400 SV, and the legend of how the Revuelto continues its story today.

1. The Radical Transverse Mid-Engine V12 Layout

Back in 1964, engineers Gian Paolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani and test driver Bob Wallace set about creating a sports car that would take the techniques used on racing cars and incorporate them into a production road car. Their boldest innovation was to mount Lamborghini’s 3,929cc V12 transversely behind the driver instead of at the front. This meant they could keep the wheelbase considerably shorter than anything previously seen in a grand touring car while still packing in a significant amount of mechanical mass close to the vehicle’s center.

Miura Engineering Innovations:

• Transverse V12 engine layout
• 3,929cc engine displacement
• Compact wheelbase design
• Lightweight 120kg chassis
• Centralized mechanical mass

The lightweight construction was equally ambitious for its time. The steel chassis used walls only about 0.8 millimeters thick and incorporated numerous punched holes to remove unnecessary material, bringing the frame’s weight down to approximately 120 kilograms. Lamborghini also pursued an exceptionally compact mechanical package by initially placing the engine, transmission, and differential within a shared lubrication system. Together, these decisions produced a small, lightweight structure around the V12 and established an engineering philosophy that would become fundamental to later supercars.

2. The Bare Chassis Reveal at Turin 1965

While the Miura’s final body shell was still in development, Lamborghini set a bizarre precedent by exhibiting it as just a ‘metal skeleton’ at the 1965 Turin Motor Show in November 3. Barring the black body shell, visitors and the press could experience the unusual transverse V12 layout unveiled in its entirety for themselves. Sharing the display with the Lamborghini 350 GTS and 350 GT, the mock-up displayed was perhaps unfinished, but clearly very alluring nonetheless.

Turin Chassis Reveal:

• Displayed in November 1965
• Bare steel chassis shown
• Transverse V12 clearly exposed
• Bertone noticed the concept
• Historic design partnership began

The exposed chassis proved especially important because it demonstrated the potential of the underlying design before the public had even seen the final car. Legendary designer Nuccio Bertone was among those impressed by what he saw and approached Ferruccio Lamborghini with an offer to design the bodywork. Bertone’s interest created the partnership that would transform the innovative mechanical package into one of the most recognizable automobile designs ever produced. What began as an exposed collection of steel and mechanical components was therefore the starting point for an automotive icon.

3. Marcello Gandini’s Timeless Bertone Design

Once Bertone became involved, Marcello Gandini was tasked with creating bodywork capable of matching the engineering ambition underneath. Designer Gandini, at the time Head of Design at Carrozzeria Bertone, built up a very dramatic low profile that revealed the Miura to be unlike any traditional sports car. Only 43 inches high, the Miura was of a stunning low-slung profile, and black anodized accents replaced much of the familiar chrome work to define a more aggressive, modern shape.

Gandini Design Highlights:

• 43-inch overall height
• Low aerodynamic silhouette
• Black anodized accents
• Iconic headlight eyelashes
• Distinctive rear ventilation slats

The design process moved at remarkable speed. About 30 of Bertone’s craftsmen took three months to go from Gandini’s sketches to a finished prototype for the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. Everything from the unusual headlight surrounds – which later earned the Miura its famous “eyelashes” moniker – to the rear cooling slots made it an iconic image. It wasn’t just a pretty face, either: these were design cues that would be used as a styling language for a generation of exotic and high-performance cars to come.

4. Pioneering Bold Custom Color Palettes

The Miura defied more rules of the car industry than simply its position of engine and overall body structure. When it came to sportscars of the 1960s, most came in rather subdued hues red, silver and white. Lamborghini opted to be far more flamboyant and provided customers with stunning, extraordinary colors. These choices suited the Miura’s dramatic shape and reinforced its image as a rebellious alternative to conventional grand touring cars.

Miura Color Revolution:

• Vivid factory color choices
• Azzurro Mexico Metallizzato
• Giallo Fly finish
• Verde Rio Metallizzato
• Oro Metallizzato finish

Factory colors included striking finishes such as Azzurro Mexico Metallizzato, Giallo Fly, Verde Rio Metallizzato, and Oro Metallizzato. These bright shades allowed owners to make their cars much more personal and visually distinctive. Lamborghini’s willingness to encourage such customization helped establish a culture in which supercar buyers could treat color as an important part of the vehicle’s identity. Long before the company’s official Ad Personam customization program, the Miura was already demonstrating how personalization could become part of the supercar experience.

5. The High-Octane Evolution from P400-to-P400 SV

From 1966 to 1973 the Lamborghini maintained V12 development of the Miura rather than accepting the original P400 specification as the final answer on top speed. The initial production model was rated at 350 bhp, and the final P400 S model bumped that figure to 370 bhp. The superlative P400 SV model, the final rendition, had a power rating of 385 bhp at 7,850 rpm. The upgrades kept the Miura going as one of the world’s most thrilling production automobiles.

Miura Performance Evolution:

• P400 produced 350 horsepower
• P400 S reached 370 horsepower
• P400 SV produced 385 horsepower
• Split lubrication system introduced
• SV reached 174 mph

The P400 SV also received important mechanical improvements beyond its higher output. Lamborghini introduced a split lubrication arrangement that separated engine oil from transmission fluid, improving the mechanical design compared with the earlier shared system. Wider rear tires provided additional grip and helped the car make better use of its increased performance. With a claimed top speed of 174 mph, the SV represented the most developed version of the original concept and remains particularly desirable among collectors.

6. Visceral Driving Dynamics and Mechanical Character

Driving a Miura is a very different experience from operating a modern supercar because the car provides almost none of the electronic assistance that contemporary drivers take for granted. There is no power steering, the brakes are unassisted, and the heavy manual clutch demands physical effort, particularly during slow-speed driving and repeated maneuvering. Inside the compact cabin, heat management is another challenge because the car lacks modern air conditioning. Drivers must keep an eye on the water-temperature gauge and use the roof-mounted cooling fans to help manage the heat generated by the 3.9-liter V12.

Miura Driving Character:

• Unassisted steering system
• Heavy manual clutch
• Unassisted braking system
• Rear-biased weight distribution
• Raw V12 engine response

The car’s weight distribution also creates a distinctive steering character. Because much of the mass is concentrated toward the rear, the front end can feel unusually light, and that sensation can change as fuel is consumed from the front-mounted tank. These characteristics require concentration and familiarity, especially when driving quickly. Yet the physical demands and mechanical quirks become part of the Miura’s character rather than simply inconveniences. Once the transverse V12 fires up behind the cockpit, its sound, response, and direct connection to the driver create the emotional experience that has kept the Miura so memorable.

7. Pop Culture Stardom and Celebrity Devotion

From 1966 to 1973 the Lamborghini maintained V12 development of the Miura rather than accepting the original P400 specification as the final answer on top speed. The initial production model was rated at 350 bhp, and the final P400 S model bumped that figure to 370 bhp. The superlative P400 SV model, the final rendition, had a power rating of 385 bhp at 7,850 rpm. The upgrades kept the Miura going as one of the world’s most thrilling production automobiles.

Miura Cultural Impact:

• Featured in The Italian Job
• Major cinematic appearance
• Owned by Frank Sinatra
• Owned by Rod Stewart
• Owned by Elton John

Its visual appeal also attracted some of the biggest celebrities of the era. Musical stars including Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, and Elton John became Miura owners, reinforcing the car’s image as a symbol of success, style, and exclusivity. Another notable example was purchased by travel executive Thomas Cook, who acquired the 1967 Earl’s Court Motor Show display car, chassis #3198. The factory later refinished it in an orangey-red color under registration OPW 8F, giving the already unusual car another memorable chapter in its history.

8. Rarity and Surging Collector Prestige

The Miura’s limited production numbers have played a major role in its transformation from groundbreaking sports car into an extremely valuable collector automobile. Lamborghini produced only 763 Miuras between 1966 and 1973, making surviving examples considerably rarer than many later exotic cars. When the model was launched in Britain, its approximately £8,500 price was already extremely exclusive compared with the average house price of around £3,500 at the time.

Miura Collector Significance:

• 763 examples produced
• Production ran through 1973
• Around 400 reportedly survive
• Values reach £3.85 million
• Polo Storico heritage events

Decades later, the surviving cars have become highly sought-after pieces of automotive history. Experts estimate that approximately 400 examples remain worldwide, and the very best cars can command auction prices reaching around £3.85 million. Events organized through Lamborghini Polo Storico, including dedicated tours through Northern Italy, provide opportunities for surviving Miuras to be displayed and driven together. Their rarity, historical importance, and distinctive design have ensured that the Miura occupies an especially significant place in the collector-car world.

9. Establishing the Eternal Supercar Blueprint

The Miura’s greatest contribution may be the engineering formula it established for future supercars. By placing a high-performance V12 behind the occupants within a purpose-built road-car chassis, Lamborghini demonstrated how a mid-engine layout could combine dramatic performance with a compact and visually striking package. The concept influenced generations of exotic automobiles and became a defining feature of Lamborghini’s own lineage, from the Miura to the Countach and eventually the Aventador Ultimae.

Miura’s Lasting Blueprint:

• Mid-engine supercar architecture
• High-performance V12 placement
• Compact performance-focused design
• Influence on later Lamborghinis
• Inspiration for hybrid successors

That philosophy remains visible even as Lamborghini moves further into electrification. The Revuelto combines a naturally aspirated V12 with three electric motors and produces more than 1,000 horsepower, showing how the brand can introduce new propulsion technology without abandoning the emotional character associated with its flagship cars. The engineering details have changed dramatically over six decades, but the central idea of combining extraordinary power with a carefully engineered performance architecture can still be traced back to the Miura.

10. The Revuelto Miura 60° Homage

To celebrate six decades of Miura heritage, Lamborghini unveiled the Revuelto Miura 60° Homage during Monterey Car Week. Created by Centro Stile and the Ad Personam division, the ultra-exclusive series is limited to 99 examples and combines the Revuelto’s 1,015-horsepower hybrid powertrain with styling details inspired by the original 1966 Miura. Customers can choose from nine historic exterior colors with Oro Elios or Grigio Nimbus lower bodywork, while the seats feature the classic “cannelloni” ribbed leather pattern. Existing Miura owners can also request a color match based on their classic car, creating a direct visual connection between the six-decade-old icon and its modern hybrid successor.

Revuelto Miura Homage:

• Limited to 99 examples
• 1,015-horsepower hybrid setup
• Nine historic exterior colors
• Classic cannelloni seat pattern
• Miura color-matching option

Six decades after its development began, the Lamborghini Miura remains one of the most influential cars in automotive history. Its transverse V12, lightweight chassis, dramatic Bertone design, bold colors, and raw driving experience helped define the modern supercar and influenced Lamborghini’s later V12 and electrified models. Its legacy goes beyond limited production and collector value, as the Miura changed expectations for how a performance car should look, feel, and be engineered. From its bare chassis shown in Turin in 1965 to the modern Revuelto Miura 60° Homage, Lamborghini continues to connect its latest technology with the rebellious spirit of the original Miura.