Become a Member: Get Ad-Free Access to All Our Content

1966→1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 Prototipo

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.

1966→1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 Prototipo

 

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