4860, ‘La Jota di Hahne,’ Reviewed

4860 ‘LA JOTA DI HAHNE’
by Dino Brunori
published by Fondazione Negri ONLUS, Italy.
Printed in June 2021
ISBN: 978-88-89108-45-1
– Exclusive Limited Edition of 300 hand-numbered copies
– English language
– Page size: 305mm x 260mm
– 144 pages
– Color and black-and-white pictures
– Contemporary pictures by renowned photographers
– Hardcover with slipcase
– Printed in Italy on the finest paper, handcrafted and handbound
– Exact reproduction of the original ‘Jota’ emblem of 4860 ‘LA JOTA DI HAHNE’ on the cover
– Price: 250 € excluding shipping and local duties and taxes

Order here: www.miurasvj4860.com

Review by Pete Vack
All photos from the book

The 12.25 by 10.5 inch 140 page book easily slides out of its silky slipcase – it is black, as was the trim of the car that is the subject of the book, and thoughtfully designed with an indentation to allow one to grasp the book firmly in order to facilitate its removal. A luxurious cover appears, and again a silk like material is used; it feels good, smooth, yet textured and expensive. It is silver, the same color as the body of the car that is the subject of the book. In the center of the cover is a prominently raised font- by at least an eighth of an inch no less – with one word, “Jota”, in black script, the same as that adorns the rear of the car that is the subject of the book.

Inside, the heavy paper carries magnificent illustrations, but also proudly notes that this book is number 256 of 300 copies printed. It is an artistic achievement in itself, created to pay homage to what may be the most artistic and valuable of all the Lamborghini Miuras ever built, serial number 4860, La Jota di Hahne.

Such visually impressive books often lack good writing, original research, or consist of light fare pandering to the arty set rather than classic car enthusiast and historians. But this book does not just appear classy, it is tastefully artistic, on an entirely different level. Then we note the author, Dino Brunori, and the publisher, Foundation Negri. Hope rises, for we know Dino to be one of the best Italian historians, who specializes in Etceterinis, and was the author of the definitive book on Nardi, Enrico Nardi, a Fast Life. (Ok, so he also contributes to VeloceToday.) And we therefore read the pages with respect.

Brunori insists it was a team effort though. The inspiration for the book came from a nice chat that Brunori had with the owner in front of the car at Retromobile in 2020. Since the car is ex-Dr. Alfredo Belponer of Scuderia Brescia Corse, and Brunori is currently writing a book on the subject and knows the people involved, he was tapped to author the work. Mauro Negri was the editor and publisher, and the pieces all fell together. “We shared all the decisions about what the book would be; lay-out, quality of pictures, text, cover, the Jota script reproduction, fantastic teamwork!” He explains, “Belponer was the first owner of 4860, which was delivered new as a Miura SV. More importantly, he was also the owner of the original ‘Jota’, the holy grail of all Miuras.” The original Jota was destroyed in an accident but inspired four Miura specials, all different, all exclusive and all given the ‘SVJ’ model name.

Eventually the Miura SV 4860 came into the hands of another extremely influential owner, Hubert Hahne, who desperately wanted to own and help create the fourth and final SVJ.

The What of Who

Hubert Hahne was a BWM touring car champion in the 1960s and sometime F1 driver, well known in Germany for his lapping the Ring under 10 minutes in a touring car (a BMW 2000 TI in 1966) and his Lamborghini dealership in Dusseldorf . Hahne, it transpires, was a very, very good driver but retired in 1970 after the death of too many of his friends and acquaintances on the track. He was a good salesman as well as race driver and his customer demonstration drives on the nearby Autobahn made it easy for Hahne to import 27 Miuras from the factory, and move every single one, probably as impressive a feat as lapping the Ring under ten.

Says Brunori, “Thanks to his friendship with Ferruccio Lamborghini, Hahne was able to convince him to build a very special Miura. Inspired by the stylistic features of the Bob Wallace ‘Jota’, the factory had already modified three SVs into SVJs. Hence 4860, the former Belponer car, became the fourth and final SVJ to leave the factory during the Miura era. From this moment on, known as ‘La Jota di Hahne’.”

From there, the book takes us on a journey from Germany to Japan and back again. Chapters include a short brief by Lamborghini expert Joe Sackey, memories from David Hahne, Hubert Hahne’s son, who clearly recalls what was his father’s favorite car. More memories from Valentino Balboni, Lamborghini’s test driver, and the preservation and certification of 4860 by Lamborghini Polo Storico. All of this augmented by superb color photography of every aspect of the car.

On the downside, there is a lack of information about 4860 while in Japan. Says Brunori “I often had difficulties communicating with Japanese collectors. The same happened with the Nardi book, when I researched a car in Japan. Never got an answer! Consider that 4860 was purchased in 2001 in Germany and then the car left Europe and disappeared. It was buried in a Japanese collection and never saw the light. The rumors were that it was lost but the current owner knew where it was. One day he received a message about the potential sale of the car, jumped on a plane to Osaka and made the deal on the spot.” That said, the Japanese collectors probably didn’t have much to add, as it was probably not raced, rallied or restored while in their hands.

One might ask about the name Jota. Annex J of the FIA rules was for competition cars derived from production models and the goal of Paolo Stanzani and Bob Wallace when they built the Jota, and is the Greek name for J (pronounced E-ota).

Although this book is marque/serial number specific, if you are a serious Lamborghini enthusiast/historian/lover/fanatic, point it out to your significant other and say, look, there is a Christmas present worth having, even if I get it late! Do not hesitate; this book has been eagerly anticipated by the Lamborghini community and the word is out.

We might add here that this week’s From the Archives is Part 1 of Dino Brunori’s history of Belponer’s Scuderia Brescia, orginally published here in four parts in February 2015. Click here!

Scuderia Brescia Corse Part 1

Detail Images