5 Most Beautiful V12-Powered Lamborghini One-Offs

During its 60-year history, Lamborghini has become one of the most famous names in the automotive industry thanks to its gorgeous V12-powered flagships.

Models like the Miura, Countach, Diablo, or the modern Aventador became some of the most iconic supercars ever conceived.

But, apart from the models that made it into series production, the Sant'Agata Bolognese brand has also introduced a series of one-off masterpieces.

Lamborghini Miura P400 Jota

Introduced in 1966 and built in a little over 760 examples until 1973, the Miura kickstarted the mid-engine supercar craze that gave birth to many automotive icons in the following decades.

One of those examples was converted into a thoroughbred Group 4 race car in 1970 by the company's leading test driver, Bob Wallace - despite Ferruccio Lamborghini's reluctance.

Named P400 Jota and created with Le Mans dominance in mind, the Jota was based on the P400 road version that received numerous upgrades, including a lightened chassis and reshaped body panels.

It was powered by the same 3.9-liter V12 as the road-going Miura, yet with hotter camshafts, a dry-sump lubrication system, and larger carbs, it made 440 hp instead of the stock 345 hp.

In terms of looks, the Miura was already a beautiful car, but with the addition of wider body panels and side vents, the Jota looked more aggressive.

The boss never approved a factory-backed racing effort, and the unique Jota was eventually sold to Lamborghini dealer and collector Dr. Alfredo Belponer.

Sadly, before the doc got to drive the car, one of his mechanics was involved in a major crash. He survived, but the beautiful P400 Jota burned to the ground.

Lamborghini Zagato Raptor

Unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in 1996, the Zagato Raptor is an exciting one-off commissioned by Swiss collector Alain Wicki.

The story goes that the client wanted a completely bespoke Lambo, and, with its coffers being almost empty during that period, the company happily obliged.

To save time and money, Lamborghini passed the project to famed coachbuilders Zagato, who were tasked with creating a new car around a Diablo chassis and powertrain.

Using innovative computer software, the car was designed in just four months. It donned a completely new, Miura-inspired, Zagato "double bubble" body that seemed sculptured rather than manufactured.

With a 492-hp V12 and an all-wheel-drive system borrowed from the Diablo VT, the Raptor was so gorgeous that Lamborghini seriously considered a limited production run.

Ultimately, that never happened, and the one-off (without Lambo badges) remained in Wicki's possession until 2000.

It then switched owners a few times, fetching $1,086,250 in 2019, the last time it went under the hammer.

Lamborghini Miura Conept

Though exciting models like the Countach, Diablo, and Murcielago followed up the original Miura and did much better in sales, the first mid-ship Lambo remained the holy grail for the carmaker's enthusiasts.

In 2006, the brand, now owned by the VW Group, decided to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the mid-engine icon with a modern reinterpretation.

Like classic movie reboots, modern versions of classic car legends usually end up disappointing the general public, but in this case, few had anything to complain about.

Based on the underpinnings of the Murcielago, the Miura Concept was stylized by Walter de'Silva, who managed to flawlessly reinterpret the shapes that made the original model a timeless icon.

Much to the disappointment of Lamborghini enthusiasts, the company's CEO announced that the concept wouldn't make it into production.

Shortly after its Geneva Motor Show debut, the beautiful one-off was transported to the Lamborghini Museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese, where it can be admired today.

Lamborghini SC18 Alston

Although Ferruccio Lamborghini never wanted his company to get involved in motorsport, the Raging Bull eventually made it to the track under new ownership.

To handle the factory racing efforts, the brand's executives formed Squadra Corse, which became Lamborghini's official motorsport department.

Apart from the Huracan-based GT3 race cars, Squadra Corse was also commissioned to create a bespoke, track-oriented version of the bigger, V12-powered Aventador for a special (and presumably very wealthy) client.

Unlike the Zagato Raptor, the one-off named SC18 Alston still resembled the car it was based on, yet it featured many unique styling and aero upgrades that made it look much more deadly than any Aventador.

When it came to performance, the carmaker didn't release any figures, but it did point out that the engine at the heart of this beast is the same 770-hp V12 of the Aventador SVJ.

With the aero improvements and that high-powered lump, it's safe to assume that the SC18 is faster and more agile than the SVJ.

Lamborghini Invencible and Autentica

This year, Lamborghini bid farewell to the conventional gas-only V12 platform that stood at the heart of its flagship for the last six decades.

But before it discontinued the Aventador, the carmaker unveiled two distinct one-offs based on the flagship's eleven-year-old chassis.

Featuring resculptured, full-carbon fiber bodies with cues from various V12-powered models of the past, the Invencible coupe and Autentica roadster seem similar, but each comes with some distinctive features.

Regardless of these distinctive features (like the tail fins of the roadster), both cars are equally impressive in terms of design.

Power comes from a 769 hp version of Lambo's modern V12 - the same engine used in the Aventador Ultimae.