Page 43: Engine Assembly Begins
June 2026

This engine has not been assembled since Bob and I attempted to get it running in 1980. It's so exciting watching the heart of the Miura come together after all these decades of sitting around in boxes. I'm pleasantly surprised that I still have all of the parts (except for just a few that Bobileff had)! Bobileff and his team are working hard to get this car ready for Monterey in August, for the 60th Anniversary of the Miura. My car has been accepted, and participating is a dream come true.

I was blessed to grow up in Carmel and remember going to Pebble Beach when tickets were $8. I always wanted to show a car there, and I thought it would be my 1967 MGB (which I still plan to restore to immaculate concours condition one day), but I didn't think it would be a Miura! This should be the largest gathering of Miuras the world has ever seen! About 39 cars are scheduled to appear, besting the old record in 2000 at Concorso Italiano 2000 of 26 cars. (Some say 27, but I was there and only counted 26. See this amazing video of Miuras at Concorso 2000.) To be part of that would be mind-blowing.

Bobileff still has a lot of work to do. Here is the engine as it arrived at his shop in November 2024, with all the other parts.

It all sat for a long (long) time, until a few months ago when plans for the 60 anniversary were announced, and Gary said yes, he would get the car there. The block was sent out to be resleeved and pistons were ordered from Carrillo (the same company that made the rods). Unfortunately, the pin bushings were too big for the pins (??? - same company!) so the rods went out to be rebushed. This is an example of just one snag that Bobileff had to address. There have been others. Fortunately he's built about 160 of these engines and can fix anything.

The first big step (after measuring everything) was to install the crankshaft.

Finally the pistons and rods were assembled and inserted.

I got to tap in the last one as Bobileff guided the big-end around the crank journal! So exciting!

A lot of the cam drivetrain gears have been installed.

Soon, the transmission will go in.

Not much on the interior yet, but that's coming soon. I should have a LOT more updates to post between now and August 10, so stay tuned! The unbelievable is happening now.