1966→1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 Prototipo
Before the first production Miura was completed on April 20th of 1967, Lamborghini produced five developmental prototypes which were used for testing and as show cars.
A total of five prototypes were built in 1966 and 1967 which progressed towards the final production specification. These cars were chassis 0502, 0862, 0706, 0961 and 0979. The first one appeared at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show as the Miura P400 GT, also known as the Sperimentale.
The first three of the prototypes featured counter-clockwise crankshaft rotation which later turned clockwise with car number four with the addition of an idler gear. These first three cars also featured a roof-mounted pop-out vents which were abandoned after car four due to leaking issues.
The first four cars benefit from a slightly lower roofline that was raised by car number five to offer additional headroom. Further distinguishing features of these cars include a lack of Lamborghini script on the rear, different rear window slats and more interior indicator lights.
Feature Car
Our feature example, chassis 0706, is probably the oldest surviving Miura and the second pre-production prototype. It was purchased new by Bill Marriot who wanted to be the first to own the potent new supercar.
0706 was painted in Giallo Sole or mustard. It appeared this was at the Paris Motor Show and was driven to and from the event by Bob Wallace in October of 1967.
The Marriot family has retained the car from new and it has never been painted with the only modification being an installed fire extinguisher system. They displayed it at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where it won Polyphony Digital Trophy Award and it was subsequently included in Gran Turismo as the Lamborghini Miura P400 Bertone Prototype CN0706 ’67.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Concept / Prototype Car |
| production years | 1966 – 1967 |
| built at | Italy |
| production | 5 |
| engine | Transverse V12 |
| valvetrain | DOHC |
| displacement | 3929 cc / 239.8 in³ |
| bore | 82.0 mm / 3.23 in |
| stroke | 62.0 mm / 2.44 in |
| compression | 9.5:1 |
| power | 261.0 kw / 350.0 bhp @ 7000 rpm |
| specific output | 89.08 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 296.61 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 406.7 nm / 300.0 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm |
| redline | 7700 |
| body / frame | Sheet-Steel Frame / Aluminum Panels |
| driven wheels | Mid-Engine / RWD |
| front tires | HS-205-15 |
| rear tires | HS-205-15 |
| front brakes | Girling Discs |
| rear brakes | Girling Discs |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15.0 x 7.0 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15.0 x 7.0 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion |
| curb weight | 1180 kg / 2601 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2504 mm / 98.6 in |
| front track | 1412 mm / 55.6 in |
| rear track | 1412 mm / 55.6 in |
| length | 4390 mm / 172.8 in |
| width | 1780 mm / 70.1 in |
| height | 1100 mm / 43.3 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.520:1, 1.735:1, 1.225:1, 1.00:1, 0.815:1 |
| final drive | 4.09:1 |
| top speed | ~262.3 kph / 163.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~6.3 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~14.3 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~14.5 seconds |
