When Lamborghini unveiled the Miura at the Geneva Motor Show on March 10, 1966, the Italian marque introduced far more than a new model. It presented a radically different approach to performance engineering that would shape the modern-day supercar as we know it today.
The Miura debuted at a time when Automobili Lamborghini was still relatively new. Founded in 1963 by Ferruccio Lamborghini, the manufacturer had built its reputation on refined grand touring cars like the 350 GT. At the time, the company was still a small operation in Sant’Agata Bolognese, yet its engineers were pursuing an ambitious idea.
Chief engineer Gian Paolo Dallara, development engineer Paolo Stanzani, and test driver Bob Wallace were all still in their twenties when they began developing the prototype that would eventually become the Miura. Working after hours, they pursued a concept inspired by racing prototypes: a mid-mounted V12, which established the blueprint for every flagship Lamborghini supercar that followed: the Countach, Diablo, Murcielago, Aventador, and Révuelto.
Their solution required rethinking Lamborghini’s existing engine. The company’s 3.9-liter V12 measured roughly 43 inches in length, making it difficult to package in a small chassis. The engineers solved the problem by rotating the engine 90 degrees and mounting it transversely behind the driver. The five-speed transmission and differential shared a single housing with the engine, creating an unusually compact powertrain.
The chassis that supported this architecture was equally innovative. Made from folded sheet steel with weight-saving cutouts, the structure weighed roughly 264 pounds in its early form. When Lamborghini displayed the bare chassis at the 1965 Turin Motor Show, it attracted immediate attention and generated early deposits before a finished body even existed.
The design of the Miura came from Carrozzeria Bertone. Penned by the great design maestro, Marcello Gandini, who had only recently joined the studio, the chassis was shaped into a low and dramatic coupe that stood roughly 41 inches tall.
While it didn’t have Lambo’s signature scissor doors (that would come with the Countach), the Miura still had several design highlights, including the distinctive front end featuring pop-up headlights surrounded by signature “eyelashes,” a contrasting side sill, and large side intakes fed air directly to the V12 mounted behind the cockpit.
The model also introduced another important tradition. For the first time, Lamborghini named a car after a Spanish fighting bull. The Miura name honors the famous Miura bull breeding family, establishing the raging bull theme synonymous with Lamborghini.
As for performance, early Miura P400 models produced 350 horsepower, while the later P400 S delivered 370 horsepower. The final P400 SV reached 385 horsepower and achieved speeds exceeding 174 mph, placing the Miura among the fastest road cars of its time.
“The Lamborghini Miura is certainly not only a dream car for me because of its performance, design, and cult status. The Miura did more than introduce a new car. It changed the course of automotive history. With its revolutionary architecture, breathtaking design, and uncompromising performance, it defined the very concept of the supercar. It set Lamborghini on a path of fearless innovation.” - Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
Production ran from 1966 to 1973 with 763 cars built, continuing to set new world records at auction. Today, six decades after its debut, the Miura’s timeless shape is part of popular culture, featuring in the opening scene of The Italian Job. It remains one of the most influential designs in automotive history. Just this past weekend, a 1972 P400 SV achieved a hammer price of $6,000,000 at the 2026 Broad Arrow Amelia Island auction.
Lamborghini will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Miura throughout 2026, including a dedicated Polo Storico heritage tour, which we touched on last year, scheduled for May across Northern Italy, celebrating the car that introduced the mid-engine super sports car to the world.
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Images: Automobili Lamborghini
