248 | GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE
The process of making the Miura faster yet more durable reached
its zenith in 1971 with the arrival of the ‘SV’, for spinto veloce. Apart
from the deletion of its distinctive ‘eyelash’ headlight embellishments
and changes to the rear lights, the body remained largely unaltered
apart from slightly flared wheelarches shrouding wider tyres. In
addition there were cosmetic changes to the interior and a more
powerful (around 390bhp) engine to offset the increased weight and
rolling resistance, but the main gain was a significant improvement in
build quality.
There were also major revisions to the front and rear suspension
arrangements to improve the handling and accommodate the new
9” Campagnolo wheels. Part way through 1971 a ‘split sump’
lubrication system was phased in, which used separate reservoirs for
the engine and transmission oil. This was necessitated by the final
cars’ ZF limited-slip differential, which could not share the engine’s
oil, and brought with it the additional benefit of increase component
life and less frequent rebuilds.
The Miura SV was the world’s fastest production car when
introduced but its arrival coincided with the Countach successor
model’s announcement. Although the latter was still years from actual
production, demand for the Miura slackened inevitably and only 150
SVs had been made when production ceased at the end of 1972.
There was also, briefly, a solitary competition version. Brainchild of
Lamborghini development engineer Bob Wallace, the latter, known
as the ‘Jota’, featured bodywork crafted in aerospace light alloy,
Plexiglas side windows, racing suspension, Campagnolo magnesium
wheels and an engine tuned to produce 440bhp. Sadly, this car,
chassis number ‘5084’, was destroyed in an accident in 1972.Left-hand drive chassis number ‘3510’ was supplied new to a lady in
Italy, who sold it to Mr Peter Wrigley in July 1979. Mr Wrigley’s letter
outlining the Miura’s history with him is in the file. He states that the
car had been back to the factory in 1975 to be partially upgraded
to SV specification. It has been fitted with an SV engine (number
‘30608’) and has the later SV-type bodywork. Mr Wrigley kept the
car for 20 years and had commenced its restoration before selling it,
unfinished, in December 1999.