Miura Sport 1978

The first car appeared in Brazil back in 1891. Several more self-driving carts followed him, but there was no question of any concept of a people’s car: it was a toy for the very rich. The spread of motorism began in the twentieth century with the filing of Ford and General Motors. Business sharks realized that the young market needed to be captured and production localized. Ford did it in 1919, GM six years later. It is noteworthy that the first asphalt highway appeared in 1920 and for a while the universal Model T drove only on country roads. From the 20s to the early 40s, the number of cars increased very actively – the global hype and the availability of money from a part of the population affected.

By the 50s, Brazil had established the production of automobile spare parts and the country’s leadership took a course – this was actively facilitated by restrictions on the import of cars since 1953 – to create its own manufacturer. In 1956, the Romi-Isetta appeared, not too license-copied from the BMW Isetta. It was more of a motorcycle with a body than a full-fledged car, but in the conditions of the post-war crisis, there was no choice.

In the 70s, Brazilian high society wanted to stand out. Nothing highlights the owner’s status like a sports car – and Brazil didn’t have one. The free market was noticed by Itelman Gobbi and Aldo Besson. According to some sources, Aldo’s company was engaged in interior decoration of cars at that time and he perfectly understood the demands of the market. It was not easy to find a leading engineer in a country without an automotive industry, but according to some sources, it was Anicio Campos, who previously worked with Lamborghini.

Whether it’s related to Anisio or not, the name Miura Sports Cars very accurately reflects the concept of the brand’s first car. The young company could not develop its own design from scratch, so the Lamborghini Miura was taken as a basis. A squat sports car designed to put a Ferrari on its shoulder blades is a good choice.

The original Lambo has a mid-engined layout with a V12 engine. There were no such technologies in Brazil in the 70s, and if there were, the cost of the car would be too high. But there was another car on the market with an engine in the back of the body – the Volkswagen Brasilia. The main elements of the chassis and powertrain are from the Beetle: the same rear-engined layout, the same opposed 4-cylinder 1.6-liter air-cooled engine. A perfect hit.

But Miura is not another Beetle body kit and its derivatives. The fiberglass body was developed with enthusiasm and knowledge worthy of the best ateliers of that time. Even big-name companies allowed the unification of their cars using elements from cheap models, but not Miura. They had the power of the Brazilian spare parts industry at their disposal, and they took full advantage of it.

Almost every element of the exterior and interior is unique. The thoughtfulness of ergonomics and the quality of performance for the 70s are at a height. The devil lies in the little things: for example, the decorative lining, behind which the gas tank hatch is hidden. The air intakes that direct the air flow to the engine are perfectly integrated into the overall design of the car and work flawlessly. Power windows, a cassette recorder, anatomical seats and rims created specifically for this car – there is simply nothing to complain about.

So beautiful and pretentious, Miura could not withstand the harsh realities of South America at the end of the twentieth century. The original Miura produced about 300 pieces and it became the most popular car of the brand. It was exported to the USA, Mexico and Argentina. Next came the Targa – all the same, but in the back of the targa – at the end of the company’s history there was even an SUV. But the company sank, and with it went the Brazilian dream of a sports car.

The material was worked on by:
Owner: aircooledlifemuseum
Photographermccarthy606
Textits_sokol