Posted 9:38 pm Sunday, February 05, 2012
East Texas Crisis Center’s Auto & Cycle Show Offers A Look At ‘The World’s First Supercar’
By REBECCA HOEFFNER
Staff Writer
Every year the East Texas Crisis Center’s Auto and Cycle Show brings in the rarest of automotive history, and this year is no different. The show has grown exponentially over the years, said Lana Peacock, executive director of the East Texas Crisis Center.
“From humble beginnings in 1991 when the first show and car raffle raised $20,000 the show and car raffle now raises $150,000 to $170,000 in net proceeds for the East Texas Crisis Center each year,” reads the show’s website.
Staff Writer
Every year the East Texas Crisis Center’s Auto and Cycle Show brings in the rarest of automotive history, and this year is no different. The show has grown exponentially over the years, said Lana Peacock, executive director of the East Texas Crisis Center.
“From humble beginnings in 1991 when the first show and car raffle raised $20,000 the show and car raffle now raises $150,000 to $170,000 in net proceeds for the East Texas Crisis Center each year,” reads the show’s website.
The Lamborghini
One of the cars on display this year will be a 1968 Lamborghini Miura S, considered “the world’s first supercar.”
As legend has it, Ferruccio Lamborghini, a tractor manufacturer, was unhappy with the performance of his Ferrari. He offered his changes to Enzo Ferrari, but Ferrari wasn’t impressed. So the Lamborghini brand was born.
The total production of Lamborghini Miuras from 1966 to 1972 was only 764 cars.
“Only a handful of Miuras are in the United States, and most are tucked away in private museums, so this represents the only opportunity most people will ever have to see one of these extraordinary motorcars that truly changed automotive history,” said the owner, who wishes to remain anonymous.
The Miura was considered the fastest production car in the world at the time, with a top speed of 170 mph. The car features 370 horsepower and a lightweight 2800 pound chassis. It began the trend of high performance, two seater, mid-engined sports cars that continues today.
It was the project of a young team of Lamborghini’s top engineers, including Gain Paolo Dallara, Paola Stanzani and Bob Wallace in 1965. Working at night on their own time, the three men envisioned a road car with a racing pedigree — a car that could win on the track and be driven on the road by enthusiasts.
They hoped to sway Lamborghini from the opinion that such a vehicle would be too expensive and would distract from the company’s focus, which was to beat Ferrari in the marketplace.
Lamborghini ultimately blessed the project, bringing in Giotto Bizzarrini (Ferrari’s former chief engineer) to design the transverse mounted, 4-liter V12 engine. Mounted directly behind the driver and passenger, with nothing separating it except a glass window, the engine “wails” unlike any other performance car, the owner said.
A 25-year-old, up-and-coming Bertone designer, Marcello Gandini, was placed in charge of styling.
The “Miura” name is from a line of Spanish fighting bulls. Lamborghini was born under the “Taurus” zodiac sign, the bull, hence the connection. The Miura, when faced from the front with the doors open, actually has the look of a bull. The “eyelashes” on the headlights are instantly recognizable, and the doors are designed to have the appearance of horns.
The directors of the 1969 movie, The Italian Job, used a Miura in the memorable opening scene. During the 1960s, Miuras were owned by entertainers like Frank Sinatra, celebrities such as the model “Twiggy,” and heads of state.
The car that will be on display at the event is one of 140 “S” or “Special” models in its original “Pistachio” color.
This particular automobile was located in Switzerland, where it was owned by a Swiss race car driver named Claude Sudan. It was restored over a multi-year period by Dicky Davenport of Vantage Coachworks.
As legend has it, Ferruccio Lamborghini, a tractor manufacturer, was unhappy with the performance of his Ferrari. He offered his changes to Enzo Ferrari, but Ferrari wasn’t impressed. So the Lamborghini brand was born.
The total production of Lamborghini Miuras from 1966 to 1972 was only 764 cars.
“Only a handful of Miuras are in the United States, and most are tucked away in private museums, so this represents the only opportunity most people will ever have to see one of these extraordinary motorcars that truly changed automotive history,” said the owner, who wishes to remain anonymous.
The Miura was considered the fastest production car in the world at the time, with a top speed of 170 mph. The car features 370 horsepower and a lightweight 2800 pound chassis. It began the trend of high performance, two seater, mid-engined sports cars that continues today.
It was the project of a young team of Lamborghini’s top engineers, including Gain Paolo Dallara, Paola Stanzani and Bob Wallace in 1965. Working at night on their own time, the three men envisioned a road car with a racing pedigree — a car that could win on the track and be driven on the road by enthusiasts.
They hoped to sway Lamborghini from the opinion that such a vehicle would be too expensive and would distract from the company’s focus, which was to beat Ferrari in the marketplace.
Lamborghini ultimately blessed the project, bringing in Giotto Bizzarrini (Ferrari’s former chief engineer) to design the transverse mounted, 4-liter V12 engine. Mounted directly behind the driver and passenger, with nothing separating it except a glass window, the engine “wails” unlike any other performance car, the owner said.
A 25-year-old, up-and-coming Bertone designer, Marcello Gandini, was placed in charge of styling.
The “Miura” name is from a line of Spanish fighting bulls. Lamborghini was born under the “Taurus” zodiac sign, the bull, hence the connection. The Miura, when faced from the front with the doors open, actually has the look of a bull. The “eyelashes” on the headlights are instantly recognizable, and the doors are designed to have the appearance of horns.
The directors of the 1969 movie, The Italian Job, used a Miura in the memorable opening scene. During the 1960s, Miuras were owned by entertainers like Frank Sinatra, celebrities such as the model “Twiggy,” and heads of state.
The car that will be on display at the event is one of 140 “S” or “Special” models in its original “Pistachio” color.
This particular automobile was located in Switzerland, where it was owned by a Swiss race car driver named Claude Sudan. It was restored over a multi-year period by Dicky Davenport of Vantage Coachworks.
The Mustang
Another anonymous car owner will show his six-cylinder 1965 Mustang Fastback at the show, nicknamed the “Silver Fox.” He bought the car in June of 2008.
“This project car is the result of a true collaboration with my good friends in Tyler, Texas,” said the owner in a written release. “It has provided three years of fun. It has been a blank canvas for a unique expression of love for the Mustang … I hope you enjoy finding the many modifications embodied in the ‘Silver Fox.’ Many, many thanks to my friends from Mustangs of East Texas for their great assistance in this three year project.”
This car has flowing lines and a sophisticated paint scheme with a subtle tribute to the Shelby look, the owner said.
The Mustang has many features common to cars of today, he said. The coil over suspension, big disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, power steering and slightly wider and lower stance mark some of these changes. The car also features a GPS system and modern stereo.
“Perhaps the most striking feature of the Silver Fox is the cross ram fuel injected induction system from Imagine Injection,” he said. “It is controlled by a fast control system which is interconnected to the TCI controller for the TCI AODE transmission.”
The engine started with a new Ford Boss four bolt main block. Other details about the engine will be posted at the show.
Entertainment
The Auto Show will also feature several other rare vehicles, including the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, which is a hit with children, Mrs. Peacock said. Entertainment will also be provided by the popular Tyler All-Star Rock and Roll Band, and Matt and Megan Magill.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a new Mustang, a Mustang Club of America Edition, donated by Tyler Ford. Raffle tickets are $10.
Admission is $10 at the door, children 12 and under get in free. The show runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Feb. 17, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 18, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb 19. The show will be held at the Harvey Convention Center.
Visit www.autoandcycleshow.com or call 903-579-2511 for more information.
“This project car is the result of a true collaboration with my good friends in Tyler, Texas,” said the owner in a written release. “It has provided three years of fun. It has been a blank canvas for a unique expression of love for the Mustang … I hope you enjoy finding the many modifications embodied in the ‘Silver Fox.’ Many, many thanks to my friends from Mustangs of East Texas for their great assistance in this three year project.”
This car has flowing lines and a sophisticated paint scheme with a subtle tribute to the Shelby look, the owner said.
The Mustang has many features common to cars of today, he said. The coil over suspension, big disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, power steering and slightly wider and lower stance mark some of these changes. The car also features a GPS system and modern stereo.
“Perhaps the most striking feature of the Silver Fox is the cross ram fuel injected induction system from Imagine Injection,” he said. “It is controlled by a fast control system which is interconnected to the TCI controller for the TCI AODE transmission.”
The engine started with a new Ford Boss four bolt main block. Other details about the engine will be posted at the show.
Entertainment
The Auto Show will also feature several other rare vehicles, including the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, which is a hit with children, Mrs. Peacock said. Entertainment will also be provided by the popular Tyler All-Star Rock and Roll Band, and Matt and Megan Magill.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a new Mustang, a Mustang Club of America Edition, donated by Tyler Ford. Raffle tickets are $10.
Admission is $10 at the door, children 12 and under get in free. The show runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Feb. 17, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 18, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb 19. The show will be held at the Harvey Convention Center.
Visit www.autoandcycleshow.com or call 903-579-2511 for more information.
