VIN: Tony Iommi's Lamborghini Miura SV chassis 4814
/ Ben Tyer
HISTORY OF CHASSIS 4814
Chassis 4814 was one of nine Miura SVs originally built in right-hand drive.
Dispatched on March 18th 1972, it was finished in Azzurro Cielo with silver wheels, matching sills and blue leather seats. The specification included air-conditioning, a limited-slip differential and split sump.
Soon after arrival in the UK, chassis 4814 was displayed at the Birmingham Motor Show which took place between April 1st and 9th.
It was purchased by Tony Iommi, the lead guitarist and primary composer for heavy metal band, Black Sabbath.
Iommi formed Black Sabbath with drummer, Bill Ward, bassist, Geezer Butler, and vocalist, Ozzy Osbourne, in August 1969. Prior to this, the band had performed for a few months as Earth.
Despite having lost the tips of the middle and ring fingers of his right hand in an industrial accident at age 17, Iommi went on to become regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of all time. His deep and heavy signature sound was partly born of necessity; lowering the string tension of his guitar eased the pain of playing and later downtuning by three semitones resulted in a sound that became the mainstay of heavy metal.
Over the next few years, Black Sabbath sold millions of albums around the world and toured extensively.
The Miura was one of three Lamborghinis purchased by Tony Iommi. It was delivered to his house in Stafford immediately after the 1972 Birmingham Motor Show and registered JLL 866K.
Later in the 1970s, Iommi sold 4814. Subsequent owners included Scottish farmer, Ken Smith, Virgin records co-founder, Simon Draper, and Sir Anthony Bamford, whose family own JCB.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
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