LAMBORGHINI POLO STORICO RESTORES FAMOUS MIURA SVR

LAMBORGHINI POLO

Storico has completed restoration of one of the most famous Miuras ever built, the SVR. On the occasion of its delivery in Japan, the car was also exhibited at the Nakayama Circuit.

Only 763 Lamborghini Miuras were produced between 1966 and 1972, at the company's plant in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy.

But beyond the gates of Sant'Agata tens of thousands of Miuras were built by several model car manufacturers, creating a scale version of one of the most celebrated vehicles in automobile history.

Among these was Japan's Kyosho, that produced 1:18 scale models of both the Lamborghini Miura SV and Miura SVR. The Kyosho SVR, in particular, has achieved legendary status among collectors, depicting the most astonishing Miura ever built, a racecar evolution of the fabled Lamborghini Jota developed by test driver Bob Wallace.

After Wallace's Jota was lost in an accident, relentless customer demand over the following years led Automobili Lamborghini to build a few Miura SVJ models and a single Miura SVR.

The latter was eventually sold in Japan, where it served as the 'model' for both the vehicle and Circuit Wolf comic books and the Kyosho toy version. The Miura SVR with chassis number #3781 has been returned to its former splendour by the Polo Storico specialists and exhibited during an event organized in its honour at Nakayama Circuit in Japan.

The Miura with engine number 2511 and body number 383 started life as an S version painted in trademark Verde (Green) with black interior. It was originally delivered to the Lamborauto dealership in Turin, Italy, on 30 November 1968, following its display at the 50th Turin Motor Show.

After changing hands faster than Italy changes governments, the vehicle was eventually bought in 1974 by German Heinz Straber, who returned it to Sant'Agata for transformation into an SVR – a job that took 18 months of work. In 1976 the car was sold to Hiromitsu Ito and made its way to Japan, where it caused quite a sensation, including the inspiration for the Circuit

Wolf comic book series. The vehicle's legend was further cemented when it was chosen by Kyosho as the base for its renowned scale model, whose lines and colours made this SVR an indelible part of toy car lore.

Paolo Gabrielli, Lamborghini, head of After Sales and Director of the Polo Storico, said: “The full restoration took 19 months and required a different approach to the way we normally work. The original production sheet wasn't of much help, as we relied mostly on the specifications from the 1974 modifications. The challenge for the Polo Storico team was even more daunting as the car arrived in Sant'Agata in pieces, although the parts were all there, and with considerable modifications. The only variations on the original specifications were the addition of 4-point safety belts, more supportive seats and a removable roll bar. These were expressly requested by the customer and are intended to improve safety during the car's racetrack exhibitions.”