The RIAC National Classic Car Show, supported by AXA Insurance, will feature the Lamborghini Miura produced between 1967and 1973, as the Star of the Classic Supercars that will be on display at the RDS on the 1st and 2nd March 2014.
The Lamborghini Miura Holds a very special position in automotive history as it was a major departure from anything that came before. Due to its exotic looks, advanced design and incredible performance it is considered by enthusiasts and experts alike to be the worlds first true supercar. Fashioned from the imagination of Lamborghinis 25 year old designer, Marcello Gandini, who also created the Lamborghini Countach, the car broke the mould. This young designer produced a car that was built around the criteria that define our modern concept of the supercar: massive speed, jaw-dropping design and technical innovation – together with a wallet-wilting price tag to which only the wealthiest could aspire.
Show Director Bob Montgomery said “ To have one of the first and rarest Supercars as the star of our Classic Supercar feature stand is incredible. We hardly ever get to see one of these vehicles anywhere in the world anymore and to be able to allow visitors experience a true piece of automotive history in the flesh is an honour for us as organisers. Prior to the Miura’s arrival many sportscars had offered high levels of performance and handling but nothing compares to the radical change and impact that this car made when the prototype was first shown at the 1965 Turin Motorshow. It caused such a sensation in the industry that the ripples can still be felt today.”
The production car appeared at the 1966 Geneva Show and featured the beautifully designed Bertone bodywork as well as a radical new departure for a road car, a transversely-mounted mid-engine layout. The Muria was able to claim performance figures set to make it the quickest and fastest manufactured car in the world. The price also reflected its new status of supercar when it was set at £8050 in Britain, at a time when the Jaguar E-Type cost under £2000. The price tag meant that the car became the favoured toy of the rich and famous with owners such as Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, the Shah of Iran and more recently, Nicholas Cage.
The Miura was produced between 1967 and 1973, with a grand total of 764 cars being constructed. On display at the show is one of the earliest versions. Powered by a 3.9 L Lamborghini V12 engine, it was capable of producing 350 bhp with a top speed of 283 km/h (176 mph). Weighing in at a mere 2,800 pounds this was truly the first supercar that led the pack that followed.
In addition to the Muria, visitors will be able to see other Classic Supercars: a 1964 Ferrari 250 GTL (Lusso): Lotus Esprit 300S, Ford GT, Ferrari 308 GTS 2002, a Ferrari 575M Maranello and a Lamborghini Gallardo amongst others on the Classic Supercar feature stand and on other displays throughout the RDS.
For spectacular displays of truly amazing classic cars, feature stands, autojumble, a dedicated Irish motorsport section, a restoration feature and entertainment for all the family, visit The RIAC National Classic Car Show, 1st and 2nd March 2014, RDS Dublin.