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Miura Evolution Part V



Lamborghini Miura SV Lamborghini Miura SV
The final Miura model - the SV - made its debut in March 1971 at the Geneva Auto show. The improvements were many and went a long way towards delivering the true potential of the design. Nobody argues that an SV is the ultimate Miura and the marketplace confirms this with a giant jump in the price of currently available Miura SVs over their predecessors. Contributing to the situation is the fact that only (approximately) 142 Miura SVs were built.

The rear suspension was upgraded, with revised wishbones giving it a wider track. The result was less twitchy, more predictable handling. The rear wheels, at nine inches, were wider and shod with new (for the era) 60 series Pirelli tires.

Lamborghini Miura rear fender (S) The SV upgrades included a wider rear track and wider wheels which necessitated larger fenders to accomodate them. The result is a more aggressive appearance; just another in the long list of advantages for the SV. The fender to the left is an "S", and to the right an "SV". Lamborghini Miura rear fender (SV)

Lamborghini Miura S headlight The other significant styling change for the SV was the elimination of the headlight surround "eyelashes" (left). They were controversial and the area was just painted black on the SV (right).
Below: Tail lights were upgraded to include back-up illumination. "SV" was short for "Sprint Veloce" or "Tuned Fast".
Lamborghini Miura SV headlight
Lamborghini Miura SV tail light, insignia

Lamborghini Miura S front bumper
Lamborghini Miura SV front bumper
Subtle changes in the nose, the bumper and the turn signals were part of the change from the Miura "S" (top) to the "SV".

Modified cam timing, carburetor changes and enlarged intakes boosted the engine output to 385 HP @ 7850 rpm. More rigidity was designed into the front and rear portions of the chassis; similar changes are often incorporated when older Miuras are restored.

Some (but not all, as is often thought) of the SVs received the quite valuable "split sump" treatment, seperating the lube system between the transmission and the engine. A few SVs were equipped with a limited slip differential.

Lamborghini ended production of the Miura SV when it built s/n 4822 on October 12, 1973. Just over 750 Miuras were built.

Most car models end their production run when demand ceases, but this was not the case with the Miura. By all accounts they could have kept selling it as buyers were still eager. But Lamborghini had a worthy successor waiting in the Countach and their limited manufacturing facilities could not accomodate two models. The Countach continued the Miura tradition and also became an exotic car benchmark, setting new standards in styling and technology. It further revolutionized drivetrain systems with a mid engine layout (this time in line) with the tranmission in front of the engine. The Countach succeeded wildly, becoming a high end icon in the eighties. But it all started with a small group of ambitious young engineers with a dream called the Miura.

Lamborghini Countach


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