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Classic open Lamborghinis350GTS Spyder
The 1965 Turin Auto Show saw the unveiling of 2 350GTS Spyders. The cars were produced by Touring, the makers of the 350GT bodies for Lamborghini. One car was in black and was displayed on the Touring stand and the other in gold was on the Lamborghini stand.
Sadly Lamborghini did not decide to have more Spyders made. A few Spyder conversions were built over the years.
Car number 1 that was displayed on the Touring stand was painted cream over the years and sold to Al Burtoni (USA) who still owns the car and is currently restoring it.
This is a 400GT converted to a Spyder:
Miura Spyder:
The only official Miura Spyder built was the ILZRO Spyder #3498, built by Bertone in 1968 (blue car).
Built in 1968 by Bertone in 1968 this is how the one off show car looked with its beautiful metallic blue paint and magnolia leather interior, the same combination used on the very first 350 GTV. The car never had any form of top or side windows. It did have many detail alterations to the cockpit and rear body work that gave it an interesting appearance. However, the factory had little money to pursue the development of this car and so it never went into production.
The car was sold to the International Lead Zinc Research Organization (ILZRO) of New York, and in 1969 was rebuilt with Bertone's help replacing many parts with Zinc where possible: carburator velocity stacks, inlet manifolds, exhaust system, radiator, oil sump, water pump housing, all water lines, bumpers, grill, steering wheel (note difference from original), switches, door handles, shift lever, hand brake and taillights. Lead was also used as insulation under the floor and in the doors. The interior retrimed in one color, the car was repainted the car this dark metallic green color (shown at left) and used for publicity. It thereafter became known as the ILZRO ZN 75 or ILZRO Spyder.
To set off the trim components, the car was painted in a complex metallic golden green paint with a black paint base. The dark green color (see beloew) served as a perfect background for the zinc trim system which was used on the car. A major feature of the car was the zinc trim system which included sheet extrusions and die castings.
The interior of the car was done in green suede with lead panels to provide sound attenuation for road noise.
The idea proved successful though the factory never took the cue to put the car into production as another model option. This did not stop other companies from creating their own versions of the Spyder. The first was built by Lambo-Motors AG of Basel, Switzerland, using Miura chassis #4808 (white car below)
1971 LAMBORGHINI Miura P400S
Chassis #4808
Built by Lambo-Motors AG, Basel, Switzerland, on chassis #4808, this car was previously the Geneva Motor Show car from March 1971 when it was originally finished in orange. This conversion took over two years to finish. At the 1981 Geneva Auto Show, the Jota Spider was displayed on the Lamborghini stand where it was for sale. Unlike on the ILZRO ZN75 Spider, this car had a removable targa top built for it. The bodywork was also modified to Jota specifications and the suspension reworked which lowered the body about 40 mm. This car also used very wide rims and low profile tires at the rear.
Here the "White Giant" is seen with an unusual custom rear wing, possibly on the Gotti wheels stand at an exhibition in the Centre International de l'Automobile in Paris which it did appear at. The rear has since been restored to its original condition.
In 1999, now repainted in silver:
At least one other car was converted by European Auto Restoration of Costa Mesa, California, USA.
One other Miura Roadster:
Countach Spyder:
This is a mythical automobile, which many believed was destroyed or lost: the Countach LP400 Spider “Mardikian”, named after the American engineer and importer who launched this exciting and provocative project.
This Lamborghini Countach Spider offers the exceptional pleasure of driving an open LP400 with all the unique specifications of the earliest Countach: 375 BHP, only 1065 kg and …315 km/h (195 mph)
Al Mardikian, a Californian distributor of the most beautiful and rare European exotics, was surrounded by a spicy reputation, due to the fact that some of the extraordinary cars that he offered to his wealthy clients were not “fully” compliant with Federal regulations.
Mardikian inspired the first scenes of “Rain Man”, when Tom Cruise unsuccessfully tries to clear the US customs for a bunch of Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari… In addition, Mardikian created some of the the “Miami Vice” special sports cars, that remain famous worldwide.
This Countach LP400 #1120262 was delivered on June 14th, 1977. It belonged for many years to Rod Stewart, a well-known super car owner - he owned two Miuras. The car was ordered in RHD as indicated in the factory documents ; however, since Rod Stewart was based in the USA at the end of the seventies, the car was then put in LHD configuration.
First driven in Hollywood and surroundings, this car was re-imported into Europe (London) where it remained until 2002, with the English registration RMK 651 R (registered between August 1976 and July 1977). It remained very probably unused or scarcely driven during many years, before being purchased by the second and last owner, a man who launched a complete restoration of the engine 3000 km ago.
This automobile is still absolutely authentic, with its period open top and removable roof, completed by detachable side windows enabling an integral “Roadster” configuration.
The famous sleek shapes of the wheel arches have also remained original: it’s a magnificent aesthetical compromise between the pure original shape of the LP400 and the heavier LP400S style, which included a visible separation between the wheel arch itself and the extension. The wheels are the same as on the Bravo and on the very rare LP400S “low body”.
Mardikian had not only created a Spider LP400 but has also modernised it, borrowing the bigger wheels and outrageous wing of the LP400S. The future owner could easily, whilst keeping the authentic “Mardikian Spider” modification, restore the bodywork to the “narrow” body of the original LP400 “periscopica”, from which this Spider was born. The result could be one of the most beautiful car ever.
The odometer show only 11.800 miles, very probably true, taking into account the number of cars in the garage of the famous owner. Its original condition with some patina makes it very precious and desirable for any collector.
Only one other classic 'open top' Lamborghini comes to mind before the later and more modern Diablo, Murcielago and Gallardo ranges appeared, and that was the Lamborghini Boxer.
It was the result of a colaboration between Lamborghini and the French firm that built the bike: Boxer-Bike. Kawasaki engines ranging between 750cc and 1000cc and up to 130bhp we used. The bikes were ultra rare and very expensive at nearly £14000, which put them ahead of Bimota in terms of cost.
By using the best parts available, the Lamborghini bike weighed only 396 lbs, the light-weight aluminum frame was a work of art by Claude Fior, the shock absorbers were made by Fournales, the exhausts by Devil and Gotti made thes wheels especially for this specific bike.
The gold-plated (actually 'Cadmium plated') brake callipers were made by Brembo.
Fifty orders were taken but it is unknown how mant were made or how many still exist.
(Around 20 different websites were used as sources, I can supply them if anyone is interested. Not all the words are original)
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Big TC
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I want a Miura so much that it's become painful.
Lovely pics and history Dan, thanks
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DaveGibson
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The Miura is still my favourite car even after more than 40 years.
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