Lamborghini restores a unique prototype to mark Miura anniversary
The Lamborghini marque is celebrating a significant anniversary by restoring the prototype Miura SV and displaying the car at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance event in Florida this weekend.
Amelia Island highlights this year include 50th anniversary celebrations for the mid-engine V12 Lamborghini Miura, regarded by many as the ‘‘original’’ supercar.
The Miura went into production in 1966 while the SV (Super Veloce) version was shown for the first time at the Geneva motor show in March 1971.
Chassis number 4846 — the pre-production model for subsequent Miura SV production — has been the subject of more than a year’s restoration by Lamborghini PoloStorico.
Unveiled at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show on Bertone’s stand (while Lamborghini showed a prototype of its new Countach), the car was truly a one-off, carrying over parts from the previous Miura S and introducing new features that would be seen on later SVs.
Lamborghini PoloStorico was appointed a year ago to fully restore chassis #4846 to its original state. The subject of exhaustive research, each detail of the Geneva show car has been respected rather than adopting later production SV parts.
Shown in metallic green Verde Metallizata with tan leather, the restoration of #4846 has included a complete rebuild of the chassis and engine.
Using photos and other archived documentation, every panel on the Miura has been returned to its original lines and angles and, following the original production sheet and records held by Automobili Lamborghini, every component restored or replaced.
Expert Lamborghini craftsmanship and original Lamborghini parts have been used throughout, from bodywork to repainting the car in its original colour, refurbishing the interior and overhauling the engine.
‘‘This is a very important car, not only for its place in history as the Geneva show car and the forerunner of future Miura SV models built, but as the first completed project of Lamborghini PoloStorico,” said Enrico Maffeo, Head of PoloStorico.
‘‘We are delighted to be able, with the consent of the owner, to show this car for the first time in its perfectly restored state, at the important Amelia Island event.
‘‘This is the year in which the Lamborghini Miura celebrates its 50th anniversary. This car not only illustrates the iconic appeal of the Miura, widely acknowledged as the forerunner of modern super sports models, but is also a perfect example of the expertise available in Lamborghini PoloStorico in providing the most authentic Lamborghini restorations.’’
Lamborghini PoloStorico opened in early 2015 to support historic models and Lamborghini’s heritage through restoration projects, archive management; original spare parts and official certification of Lamborghini historic cars.