Welcome to part 1 (of many) of the Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles. If you’re interested in attending, or just reading up on the event, click Here!
To sum it up, the event was nothing short of amazing. The event’s name is spot on. There was hardly a car (or motorcycle) there that was not notable, let alone literally significant. I just left earlier today, and I’m already looking forward to next years crop of ‘Significant Automobiles’.
Over the series, you will have the chance to become more familiar with a few examples of what the show is all about.
PART 1
Starting off Simple: The Lamborghini Miura
This is Supercar Genesis:
This is the car that started it all. Every modern ‘Supercar’ owes it’s existence to this car. This is the first, the original ‘supercar’. This is the car that introduced the now famous Lamborghini ‘Fighting Bull’ logo.
The Miura Chassis was first displayed at the 1965 Turin Auto show. It was built as a side project by Lamborghini engineers (as Ferruccio Lamborghini did not approve of the concept) after-hours and essentially behind the Boss’s back. The body was styled and the subsequent showing at Geneva in 1966 (albeit without an engine, as they had not yet tried to fit it with the body.) sealed the deal. The P400 (before the Miura name was adopted) went into production that year. This was the fastest production car of its time.
The Miura pictured (from the Glenmoor event, obviously) is a P400s model. This is the second iteration/first update to the P400, built from late 1968 to early 1971. Updates included a bump in Horsepower (from 350hp to about 360hp or so), power windows, and a slightly reconfigured luggage area, among others.
The next set of changes came in 1971, lasting only until 1972 and the end of Miura production, with the Infamous P400SV. This is by far the most widely recognized and most popular version of this car. This revised version got another bump in Horsepower (up to 380hp), a slightly wider rear end, limited slip differential, different tail lights, and a separated engine casting -all previous versions had the transmission and engine blocks cast as one unit. The same 3.9L engine was uses throughout the lifespan of the Miura, and was carried over into the incoming (more on that later) Countach, or LP400.
Below are the production numbers for the above models:
P400: 1966 – 1969 474 built
P400S: 1968 – 1971 140 built
P400SV: 1971 – 1972 150 built
There are a handful of other notable versions of the Miura, including a one-off spyder, or Targa, the P400J (One official car built.), or Jota (More on that later as well) that was the test bed for Lamborghini and racing.
After the Jota was built and tested, and subsequently crashed, orders came in for that specification, and Lamborghini began to retrofit existing Miura SVs with the upgrades. Only 5 examples left the factory as a true P400SV/J, one of which was fitted with the dry sump oiling system of the original Jota. Later, a number of outside companies began fitting the P400 with the Jota spec. updates.
Well, there you have it. Part 1. Cheap and dirty. Be on the lookout for Part 2 soon…
The Kubang concept idea was originally displayed in 2003, and looks to be becoming a reality thanks to the Jeep/Chrysler relationship with Maserati.
Let’s just hope that the Chrysler/Jeep side is strictly for financing, and plays no part in the actual chassis or driveline development. Expect pricing to be the standard Maserati fare. $$.
