The First Convertible Supercar Ever Made Was So Rare Only One Exists
An automaker will always be revered for being the first to do something. Oldsmobile was the first to introduce a windshield as standard, the Bugatti Veyron is remembered as the first production car to have a power output above 1,000 hp, and the Jensen FF was the first all-wheel-drive production car.
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Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini was created in 1963 after its founder had a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari over the cost of servicing his cars, arguing that Ferrari was overcharging for off-the-shelf parts. Enzo didn't respond amicably, so Ferruccio took matters into his own hands with the 350 GT. Lamborghini later introduced the Miura, widely regarded as the first true supercar and one of the prettiest ever made. These days, the brand's identity is characterized by AWD drivetrains, outrageous special editions, and raucous engines. The 1,001-hp Revuelto is its current V12 flagship, while the Urus SUV is its bestseller.
Lamborghini's Miura was another trendsetter, being the first high-performance car to utilize the rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout that has become commonplace in the modern automotive industry. However, near the tail end of the Miura's life, the Italian automaker introduced a one-off version of the Lamborghini Miura called the Lamborghini Miura Roadster.
This article focuses on the history of the variations of the open-top Lamborghini Miura.
One Of A Kind
1968 Lamborghini Miura Roadster 2
The Miura Roadster's debut was at the Brussels Motor Show in 1968 at the Carrozzeria Bertone. The Lamborghini Miura Roadster was built by the famed Italian design company Bertone and is the only Miura model to come from the factory in open-top form. Interestingly, the Lamborghini Miura was the first model from the partnership between Ferruccio Lamborghini and Bertone, formed at the tail end of the 1960s. This Roadster variation of the Miura was more than just the standard coupe with its roof axed. There were several important distinctions between the fixed roof and the drop top.
miura SVR
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The Lamborghini Miura Roadster's roofline was lowered by 30 mm compared to the standard coupe, which resulted in implementing a different windshield. Beyond that, the Roadster included a set of larger side air intake vents compared to the regular Lamborghini Miura side air intake vents, which were made larger to improve engine cooling.
At the rear, Lamborghini introduced a redesigned rear punctuated by the engine's presence, undeterred by the lack of the louvered engine cover used in the standard model. That new rear design also included a new set of taillights, a larger boot lid spoiler, and different exhaust tailpipes that jutted out of the Miura Roadster's rear bumper instead of protruding from the underside of the Miura's rear. Even the secondary switches positioned on the regular Miura ceiling had to be repositioned for the Miura Roadster.
Interestingly, Lamborghini also removed the side windows, which is an odd configuration that certainly meant that it envisioned a summer supercar instead of an all-season supercar. An important part of the Lamborghini Miura Roadster's history is its history with the International Lead And Zinc Research organization.
Lamborghini Miura
Reportedly, the ILZRO was searching for a high-profile vehicle that could showcase the potential of different metals and plating processes. It's reported that the organization initially approached the Italian automaker for an example of the coupe variant of the Lamborghini Miura but would ultimately be offered the one-off Lamborghini Miura Roadster.
The organization's efforts resulted in the Roadster receiving several new pieces of bodywork, including a zinc-coated front bumper, a zinc-coated grille, and a front clamshell with a zinc finish. When revealed, the Lamborghini Miura Roadster was characterized by its Lamè SKy Blue Acrillo color scheme juxtaposed with a white leather interior and red carpets. However, after the efforts of the ILZRO, the roadster was repainted a dark green and referred to as the Zn75, which was a nod to Zinc's symbol on the periodic table. The interior was also changed from white to dark green.
Where Is It Now?
Lamborghini Miura Roadster Display 2
After its transformation at the hands of the ILZRO, the Lamborghini Miura Roadster would go on a journey across North America, akin to a press tour. An important aspect of the Lamborghini Miura Roadster's time with the ILZRO was that the rust-protective zinc treatment would become common practice. After changing hands several times, a New York City real estate developer named Adam Gordon would buy the Lamborghini Miura Roadster. This is an important point in the one-off's history as Gordon would have the Zn75 fully restored and rebuilt between 2007 and 2008, returning the car to its original form seen in 1968.
After its restoration, the Lamborghini Miura Roadster was showcased at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, one of the most important car shows of the year, where it would ultimately secure second place in a category that was exclusively for Lamborghini models. In 2022, the Miura Roadster would make its way to the MUDETEC museum in San'Agata Bolognese, where it would be available to be fawned over by the public and where it remains today.
The Other Open-Top Lamborghini Miura
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Just under two decades after the debut of the Lamborghini Miura Roadster, another open-top variation of the Lamborghini Miura debuted at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, called the Lamborghini P400 SVJ Spider. "Wait! You said that the Lamborghini Miura Roadster was the only open-top Miura," we hear you say. That was true because the Lamborghini P400 SVJ Spider was not classified as an official Lamborghini model, unlike the Miura Roadster, which was a factory-authorized model.
The P400 SVJ Spider was built as a show car and started its life as a Lamborghini P400 S. Designated as chassis #4808, it was created by Swiss Lamborghini importer Lambo-Motos AG of Basel and featured elements like wider wheels, a new rear wing, and most notably, no roof. Unlike the Miura Roadster, the P400 Spider kept its side windows, but after changing hands, the car's rear wing and chin spoiler were removed, and the car was painted silver. Like the Miura Roadster, this one-off changed hands many times, with a Parisian collector being the last individual to gain ownership of the sultry show car.
The 2006 Lamborghini Miura Concept
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The Lamborghini Miura Roadster is one of the most striking renditions of one of Lamborghini's earlier models, and its legacy is steeped in acclaim. It is still a highly sought-after model decades after production ended. As for the Lamborghini Miura Roadster, it is one of the best Lamborghini one-off models ever created. Production of the Lamborghini Miura started in 1966 and continued until 1973, when it was replaced by the equally cool but notoriously difficult-to-drive Lamborghini Countach.
However, in 2006, Lamborghini teased the automotive world with a concept car that envisioned a modern Lamborghini Miura.
It was introduced and built to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the debut of the Miura concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 2006. Internally, the concept was referred to as "Concept M" and was the first design by Walter de'Sivle, proposed to encapsulate the original Lamborghini Miura's design while based on the foundation of the Lamborghini Murciélago.
Unfortunately, the concept would never reach production despite the Miura being an extremely desirable model. According to comments made by Lamborghini's CEO Stefan Winkelmann, the concept was solely meant to commemorate the legacy of the Lamborghini Miura, and the company was not interested in retro designs. Looking back, we wish Lamborghini had gone through with the 2006 Lamborghini Miura concept. Instead, we got the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4, yay!
