September 14th, 2009 by Life

The Lamborghini Miura still stirs the emotions of days long gone.

I’ve looked at many cars in so many autoshows and trying them on streets and track, but still, the Miura somehow could not be topped. The sheer emotive stirrings and memories simply cannot be unseated.

Lamborghini Miura SV RHD

Back in the early eighties, when the evil looking Countach was becoming the king of super car looks, the Miura’s looks stuck with me.

Here was one right hand drive example back in Singapore where speed limits, narrow streets and super heavy traffic made it impossible to drive. Yet, I enjoyed it supremely – especially when we took it up the trunk roads to Batu Tiga – the then Malaysian international race track.

OK, I’ll admit it…I did not own this car. A friend – a girl friend was given this red beast by her uncle for her 20th birthday. She could barely drive it in the city, but like I did, enjoyed the open road sojourns. Back in Singapore, I drove and also on the track where she was always the willing passenger cheering on for ever more speed. But the race track straight topped us out at 145mph.

Now, frankly, other than fantastic looks, even in its day, this car was really a beast compared to other vehicles. It was heavy to steer, it smelled of leaking oil, it sounded totally too loud and evil, it spun its rear wheels too easily in the rain (even in the dry it smokes its tires easily), the air-cond never works, the brakes needed race car strength to apply, and it was woefully in need of a full time mechanic to take care of it.

But once out on open roads, the heavy steering became alive, the engine gave it a shove and velocity seldom experienced then, in short, this was a beast, a raging bull.

Alright, all that and the times that came along with it – a pretty, sporty, outgoing (OK, and very sexy) girl from a wealthy family…fun and fancy free…with that bellowing engine right behind us…the windows were open at over 100 mph (160kmh) on narrow roads. It was sun and fun all the way until it rained of course, then the windows came up part way and the speed subsided somewhat to about 60 or 70 mph…along the twisty snake like roads. It was white knuckling to drive in these monsoons, but young blood loves to throw caution to the winds. Hey, but wake up man! You’re her boy friend, yes, but you’re officially mandated to be her body guard too…

Now, it may sound fun to drive, but there is a reason I call it a beast. I mentioned how difficult this car is to own and drive downtown. Now, I’ll tell you that after a few hours in this thing you’ll likely be overwhelmed by the engine heat, your left thigh and foot could be so sore from the super heavy clutch and the brakes (if you use left foot braking – necessary to drive fast). Heel and toeing is all but impossible in this car. But, if you’re up to the challenge, this is one fast and fun writhing, bucking beast.

All fun must one day come to an end. She had to leave the country one day along with the car. I was still under contractual obligation then.

Memories die hard.

One day, just a few years ago, a brilliant someone created a replica of the Miura and it made the international auto show rounds…if only they’d ever build this one this time – but left hand drive please…and also, with all the modern niceties except one…please lamborghini, or VW, please let it remain that BEAST!

Lamborghini Miura Re Concept Model