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Lamborghini Miura SV Turns 50 in 2021

by | Apr 13, 2021 | 0 comments

Lamborghini Miura SV Turns 50 in 2021

V is for Veloce — Super Fast

A 1971 The Miura SV

The 1971 Miura SV is considered the highest expression of the ‘supercar’ concept of its time and the best of all the Miura versions produced, says Lamborghini. (Photo courtesy of Lamborghini)

 

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Lamborghini Miura SV was officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1971. As the last evolution of the P400 line, the Miura SV became the most sought-after production car made by Lamborghini, the company said in an April 14 release. “[The Miura] is considered the highest expression of the ‘supercar’ concept of its time and the best of all the Miura versions produced.”

Building on the Miura S nameplate, the V stands for veloce (super fast). But the SV’s huge sales success would replace the S.

A Rosso Corsa Lamborghini Miura SV

This Rosso Corsa Miura SV was restored by Lamborghini’s Polo Storico for Jean Todt, former rally racer, former Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team principal and longtime president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile. (Remi Dargegen)

The Rosso Corsa Lamborghini Miura SV with front and rear hoods open.

(Remi Dargegen)

Gian Paolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani, Lamborghini’s chief engineers at the time, were the creators of the Miura and Miura S. They confirmed that the SV version benefitted from the experience gained during the first five years of Miura production.

The Miura SV was quite different technically and stylistically from the other Miuras, the P400 and P400 S. The SV maintained the same general layout and 4.0-liter 12-cylinder transversely mounted rear-mid engine. Many changes were structural. The SV had a stiffer and reinforced chassis and a revised rear suspension system with different anchor points and arms. It also had a track widened by a little more than 5 inches (130 mm).

A new setting for the four Weber triple-barrel carburetors boosted the SV’s engine to 385 horsepower at 7,850 rpm. And the 12-cylinder’s peak torque increased to 294 foot-pounds at 5,750 rpm.

A Lamborghini SV.

The SV has wider rear fenders and unique taillights.

A separate lubrication system between the engine and gearbox was a hugely important technical improvement, the company said.

The Miura SV’s official top speed was just over 180 mph (290 km/h). Acceleration to 62 mph took 6.9 seconds, which was record performance back then.

The Lamborghini SV interior.

The SV interior was updated with more leather and chrome. 

Now fitted with staggered-size tires, the rim design had a new and sportier appearance. Most SV customers ordered them with a gold finish, Lamborghini says.

The revised SV has wider rear fenders, differently designed taillights, and a new front hood with an air intake for the radiator.

Eyelashes Are Gone

One of the most important visual changes to the Miura SV was the deletion of the famous “eyelashes” around the headlights. There was no real technical reason for this esthetic modification and creating them was a time-consuming step.

“However, for his own personal Miura SV — the only one to officially adopt this specification — Ferrucio Lamborghini asked for the eyelashes around the headlights to remain,” Lamborghini said in the release.

A Lamborghini Miura SV, in Azzurro Cielo paint.

A Miura SV in Azzurro Cielo.

The SV’s interior was better finished and more modern looking than that of the previous versions. There was more leather and various chromed details.

The Miura SV was taken out of production in early 1973 after 150 units had been produced. In 1975, however, a final SV was expressly manufactured for Walter Wolf. The renowned businessman was also a Formula 1 racing supporter and team owner of Walter Wolf Racing. His SV is now on view at the Lamborghini Museum, MUDETEC, in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

A 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV.

This 1971 Miura SV earned ‘Best Lamborghini’ at the 2019 Concorso d’Eleganza Kyoto (Japan). 

The end of Miura SV production ended an era in which speed and sinuous lines predominated. For many, it remains the most beautiful car ever produced in series.

Lamborghini Polo Storico

Opened in 2015, Lamborghini Polo Storico is an Automobili Lamborghini department that supports the preservation of classic Lamborghini vehicles produced up to 2001. The special department can provide restoration services, spare parts, and certification.

Polo Storico also curates the archive and includes information relating to the models manufactured in Sant’Agata Bolognese. The archive includes the first sketches to the production files and the original technical drawings.

1963 Buick Special

by | Apr 9, 2021 | 0 comments

1963 Buick Special
A 1963 Buick Special coupe.

The 1963 Buick Special body was only produced for one year. (GM)

BY MARK MAYNARD

General Motors promoted the 1963 Buick Special for its “unique, compact 3.5-liter all-aluminum V-8 engine.” The 215-cubic-inch engine gave the Special one of the highest horsepower-per-liter ratios of its day: 0.93:1.

The engine had a power rating of 155-hp with the two-barrel carburetor. When equipped with the optional four-barrel carburetor horsepower rose to 190-hp, according to Wikipedia.

Transmission choices were a three-speed column shift manual transmission, a floor shift Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual, or a two-speed Turbine Drive automatic. The two-speed “Dual Path Turbine Drive” automatic was a Buick design and shared no common parts with the better-known Chevrolet Power-Glide transmission.

In 1961, the Buick Special debuted a brand new unibody compact GM Y platform. And in 1962, the Special was the first American car to use a V-6 engine in volume production, earning its Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 1962.

The 1963 Special was available as a two-door pillared hardtop coupe, a four-dour sedan, a convertible, and a station wagon.

The 1963 body was only produced for one year, selling 148,750 copies, including 42,321 Skylarks. The entire car was redesigned for 1964.

The Buick 215

After that, the Buick 215 V-8 found its way into the Rover P6 3500S in 1968 but was never sold in North America in any great numbers.

The engine was used, however, in other British cars. The V-8 was used in the Morgan Plus 8, MG MGB GTV8, Land Rover, and Triumph TR8. It was also retrofitted into MGAs and MGBs.

The Buick engine had really earned its stripes as being the sole engine powering the Range Rover for a couple of decades, according to the Wiki page. Eventually, the V-8 found its way into the original Series/Defender Land Rover. The engine also was used in several other Land Rover Models including the Discovery and the Forward Control (Army vehicle).

1948 Willys-Overland Jeepster

by | Apr 2, 2021 | 0 comments

1948 Willys-Overland Jeepster

The Civilian Jeep

The 1948 Jeep Jeepster PR image.The 1948 Jeep Jeepster. (Photos courtesy Stellantis PR archives)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Willys-Overland Jeepster was a clever business plan and an early example of a crossover SUV with carlike features.

Introduced in April 1948 and produced through 1950, the Jeepster was conceived as a sporty two-door, convertible sports car for veterans of World War II, according to its page in Wikipedia.

The basic Jeepster (“VJ” internally) included numerous deluxe features and a high level of standard equipment. Among its carlike extras were whitewall tires, hubcaps with chrome trim rings, sun visors, deluxe steering wheel, wind wings, locking glovebox, cigar lighter, and continental tire with fabric cover.

Slab-Sided Design

Willys-Overland lacked the machinery to form deep-drawn fenders or complicated shapes, according to the Wiki report, so the vehicle line had to use a simple and slab-sided design.

“Industrial designer Brooks Stevens styled a line of postwar vehicles for Willys using a common platform that included the Jeep pickup and station wagon, as well as a sporty two-door open car that he envisioned as a sports car for veterans of World War II.

“After World War II, Jeep trademark owner, Willys (originally pronounced WILL-is), began producing and marketing the “CJ” (for Civilian Jeep) to farmers, foresters, and others with similar utilitarian needs. It also began producing the Jeep wagon, panel utility and pickup in 1946 and the Jeep truck in 1947.

The majority of the Jeepster’s hardware carried over from the Willys station wagon, including the entire drivetrain, front end, rear suspension, steering and four-wheel drum brakes. Its flat-topped rear fenders were taken from the Jeep truck line.

The drivetrain was Willys’ World War II-proven, 63-horsepower, 2.2-liter inline-4 “Go Devil” engine. The three-speed manual transmission had standard overdrive.

The Jeepster was only offered with rear-wheel drive, which limited its appeal with other Jeep customers. With plastic side curtains, its $1,765 price was about the same as a Ford Super DeLuxe Club convertible. But the Ford had roll-down windows, fancier styling and a V-8 engine.

Jeepster Not Popular

Limited by sparse advertising and an insufficient dealer network, the Jeepster did not catch on with the intended market segment. Still, a total of almost 20,000 were manufactured through 1950, with some leftover models sold in the 1951 model year.

The Jeepster name was revived in 1966 on a new model, the C-101 Jeepster Commando. American Motors Corp., Willys-Overland’s successor, removed Jeepster from the name for 1972, and production ended after 1973.

The 1967 Jeepster Commando.

The 1967 Jeepster Commando.

1961 Corvair Pickup

by | Mar 25, 2021 | 0 comments

1961 Corvair Pickup
The 1961 Corvair 95 Rampside.

The 1961 Corvair 95 Rampside. (Chevrolet archives)

 

BY MARK MAYNARD

Although there had been a number of small pickups prior to the 1960s, the compact car boom that kicked off the decade brought with it a new crop of the so-called “forward control” body style.

Among the offerings was the Corvair 95. With its unitized body structure and rear-mounted engine, the 95 offered a lot of cargo space in a compact maneuverable package.

The Rampside model offered a side gate on the right side of the vehicle. The placement allowed easy access to the low load floor at the front of the bed.

According to the Corvair enthusiast site Corvair.org, Corvair 95s were named for their 95-inch wheelbase. GM  referred to the body style as “Light Duty-Forward Control (L.D.F.C.)” vehicles.

Marketed from 1961 to 1965, The line consisted initially of two vans and two pickups:

  • Corvan panel delivery, model R-1205
  • Greenbrier station wagon, model R-1206
  • Loadside pickup, model R-1244
  • Rampside pickup, model R-1254

Forward control referred to the positioning of the steering mechanism forward of the front axle and engendered the “Corvair FC” moniker for the line.

Although clever in design, the Corvair 95 never caught on in the showroom, and in the final model year of 1964, only 851 were sold.

Jan. 27, 1965 – Ford Shelby GT 350 goes on sale

by | Jan 28, 2021 | 0 comments

Jan. 27, 1965 – Ford Shelby GT 350 goes on sale
A 1965 Ford Mustang GT350 in the Ford Pavilion at the 1964 World's Fair

1965 Ford Shelby GT350 in the Ford Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. (Photos courtesy of Ford PR archives)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The racing circuit changed forever when sales of the 1965 Ford Shelby GT350 launched on Jan. 27, 1965, according to AutomotiveHistory.org.

“The GT was based on 1965 Ford Mustang Fastbacks that originally left the factory with a 271 HP 289 V8 and a 4 on the floor. Carroll Shelby had the stock vehicles shipped to Shelby American where his team stripped the car of weight. The car then received performance upgrades, such as high-riser intake manifolds, a four-barrel carburetor, and custom exhaust headers, boosting horsepower to 306.

A black-and-white vintage image of a 1965 Ford Shelby GT350

All 1965 Ford Shelbys (562) were painted Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue stripes.

“In 1965 Shelby built 562 examples, all painted Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue stripes. In 1966 the cars received updates to attract more general consumers, as opposed to strictly track racers. The 1966 GT 350 was available with optional rear vent windows and back seats and came in an array of colors. They were also equipped with a functional hood and rear brake air scoops and a three-speed automatic transmission was made available.

“Production of the first generation of Shelby Mustangs would last through 1971 with the GT 350 and GT 500.”

1957 Plymouth Suburban wagon

by | Jan 26, 2021 | 0 comments

1957 Plymouth Suburban wagon

The 1957 Plymouth Suburban wagon, with the new “Forward Look” styling. (Stellantis)

BY MARK MAYNARD

A 1957 Plymouth Suburban wagon became the 10,000,000th Plymouth to roll off the production line on Jan. 24, 1957. It was a proud accomplishment for the brand, which was launched in 1928, according to Wikipedia.

“Plymouth was to compete in what was then described as the “low-priced” market segment that was dominated by Chevrolet and Ford. It became the high-volume seller for the automaker until the late 1990s.”

Parent company Chrysler killed the brand in 2001, and the models that were still in production were discontinued or rebranded as Chrysler or Dodge.

In 1957, Virgil Exner’s new Forward Look design theme, advertised by Plymouth with the tagline “Suddenly, it’s 1960,” produced cars with advanced styling compared to Chevrolet or Ford, according to Wikipedia. Plymouth cars were marketed primarily in the United States.

“The 1957 total production soared to 726,009, about 200,000 more than 1956, and the largest output yet for Plymouth. However, the 1957-1958 Forward Look models suffered from poor materials, spotty build quality, and inadequate corrosion protection; they were rust-prone and greatly damaged Chrysler’s reputation.

“The Plymouth automobile was introduced at Madison Square Garden on July 7, 1928. It was Chrysler Corporation’s first entry into the low-priced field previously dominated by Chevrolet and Ford.
“Plymouths were initially priced higher than the competition but offered standard features such as internal expanding hydraulic brakes that Ford and Chevrolet did not provide.

“Plymouths were originally sold exclusively through Chrysler dealerships, offering a low-cost alternative to the upscale Chrysler-brand cars.

“The logo featured a rear view of the ship Mayflower, which landed at Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Mass. However, the inspiration for the Plymouth brand name came from Plymouth binder twine, produced by the Plymouth Cordage Company, also of Plymouth. The name was chosen by [corporate executive] Joe Frazer due to the popularity of the twine among farmers.”