The Lamborghini Miura, often hailed as the world’s first supercar, played a pivotal role in shaping the supercar market. With only 764 units produced between 1966 and 1973, this iconic model holds a special place in automotive history, influencing future supercars like the Murciélago and Aventador. Here are five lesser-known facts about the Lamborghini Miura, the car that redefined high-performance design and established Lamborghini as a global icon.
1. Mid-Engine Design: A Revolutionary Concept Ferruccio Lamborghini initially opposed the idea of a mid-engine two-seater, believing it impractical for road cars. Undeterred, Lamborghini’s engineers worked on the project in secret, determined to prove the concept viable. They managed to squeeze a 3.9-liter V12 engine transversely into the Miura’s chassis—an unprecedented feat at the time. However, when the P400 prototype was rushed to its debut at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, the engine didn’t quite fit. The solution? Lamborghini added weights to the engine cover to keep it closed during the show.
2. Official Debut: A Chassis, Not a Car Before the Miura stunned the world in Geneva, Lamborghini previewed the car’s potential with a rolling chassis at the 1965 Turin Auto Show. While many attendees mistook it for a racecar, the P400 was merely a step away from becoming the fully realized Miura. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the finished Miura would later showcase its signature blend of style and performance, quickly turning heads around the globe.
3. The Car That Put Lamborghini on the Map The Miura wasn’t Lamborghini’s first car—that honor belongs to the 350 GT—but it was the car that catapulted the company to international fame. The Miura became a coveted status symbol in the 1970s, owned by celebrities like Miles Davis, Rod Stewart, and Eddie Van Halen, who even featured the car’s V12 engine sound in his band’s hit song Panama. The Miura also made a famous appearance in the opening chase scene of the classic film The Italian Job.
4. A Namesake with Power Named after the Miura breed of Spanish fighting bulls, the Lamborghini Miura’s fierce name echoed the power and strength of the bulls themselves. The Miura breed became the inspiration not only for the car but also for Lamborghini’s now-iconic raging bull logo. This connection to bullfighting would set the stage for a long-standing tradition in Lamborghini’s naming conventions.
5. The Bull Legacy Begins The Miura established Lamborghini’s bull-inspired names, a tradition that would continue throughout the brand’s history. Most of Lamborghini’s cars, from the Diablo to the Gallardo, take their names from famous bulls or bullfighting terms. While early models like the 350 GT/400 GT and the rugged LM002 SUV broke from this trend, the Miura solidified a legacy that resonates through Lamborghini’s brand identity even today.
Steven Symes 
Shawn Henry