Joe you are right. That VIN tag is not factory, I have seen a few different styles that were made for DOT reasons when cars came to the US since Lamborghini did not put them on the dash, the DOT made you put one somewhere. You see them a lot on the left A pillar. Greg, it belongs on your desk Merry Christmas everyone... Tony
Merry Christmas everybody. Greg, I believe Joe and Tony to be correct on the vin tag. I've never seen one like it. Marcello, another interesting Countach "light" fact is, cars with amber colored fog lamps would have originally been delivered to France.
congrats M.B., i understand your craziness now you have to post pics or, at least, details model/year/options....
Some LP400 were supplied with them in all-white spec. Tutto Originale, as Walter might say... Joe www.lamborghiniregistry.com Image Unavailable, Please Login
JOE, Would the all "white" light indicate time of production? As you know I am re-doing my LP400 currently. Should I have it changed to these all whites? Also your opinion on side view mirrors? I was thinking NONE at all, keep the car lines nice and pure?
Roy, Im THINKING (just from what Ive seen) that the all-white lenses were cars to Italy and Switzerland - which is certainly true of Miura SVs. So my educated guess is year of manufacture doesnt determine the lenses with the LP400. The car certainly looks cleaner without side mirrors, but I think the cars look really purposeful with them on - lets not forget the Vitaloni Sebring is a really cool looking unit often seen on serious racing and competition cars of the era. But nobody can argue the purity of keeping the mirrors off. Personal choice I think? Joe
Was there any shall we say "correct" way from the factory for the mirriors? Was it one, two, none or was it by indivdiual order? I see in different prints from the time, some without, some with drivers, with both and even a few with just passanger side....... What would you do if it was yours? Thanks
The number of mirrors was upon request. The type of mirror was the Vitaloni Sebring unit, some with a flat mirror, others with the convex mirror - much wider scope of vision, I have these in mine. The mounting point as installed by the works was typically as in the image below. Mine has always had a set of external mirrors, one on each door, so they remain. I like the clean "no mirrors" look, but driving one with mirrors is just that little bit easier. Id reccomend that... Joe Image Unavailable, Please Login
Joe, This flasher unit is on the 1979 #1121068 shown in black (my last Countach, now Ralph's) The 1980 I think it's #1121152 shown in red has them as well (my friend Jeff's car) Out of the 4 Countachs I have owned, 3 had the type with the slant like the Ferrari 308 and only the 79' had this one. Funny thing is the old Brooks car #1121058 a 79' car has the later style with the slant like the 308...I wonder if the importer did that with the 308 tail lights? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Joe A thought or two if I may. I certainly understand preserving history. I've won two trophies at Pebble BUT IMHO unless these cars are drivable and driven they are worthless. Take mirrors for example. A number of Lambo's didn't come from the factory with them. Why? To save the factory money. Well placed mirrors enable you to drive the car,park the car, change lanes etc. Not putting them on because the factory saved a few bucks is silly. Take Muria's. IMHO the Webers are a fire waiting to happen. Installing a fuel shut off valve and running them dry before storage is a very good idea. When they leak and these do they leak right onto the exhaust. Take the SV throttle. The angle of the pedal is too upright. It will cramp first your foot and then then your leg. The pocket below it is a water trap. If you drive in the rain water will drip off your shoe and start to rust out the chassis at that point. All of this can be fixed with simple modifications BUT they will no longer be original. Back to Pebble. They took off points on my Duesenberg because I switched the position of the gas gauge and the oil pressure gauge so I could see the oil pressure gauge while driving. Running out of gas is one thing. Not realizing that your Duesenberg motor has lost oil psi is another. I was happy to lose those points. On my Ford MK-IV I lost points because I added radiator fans. As I've driven this car over 25K miles on the street I've found them useful to have and once again didn't mind loosing the points. Finally IMHO there should be a little less waxing and a little more driving. At Pebble one Judge remarked that there was dirt under my headlight covers. There was someone standing close by who overheard that remark,someone who had been there on the magic day when the MK-IV stomped Ferrari by 135 miles who muttered: "Yeah but that dirt is from Le Mans." Make the cars usable and drive them. Holiday Wishes 2 U
Napolis, Youre too kind by half in sharing a realistic perspective of a seasoned collector who DRIVES his cars. Thanks for the input. When I restored my Miura SV recently (and by the way, you know your Miuras) those tiny and subtle upgrades that make the cars both safe & usable were part of the project. Of course its taken me 3 restorations to finally get this one right! But, the all-important twin mirrors stayed for one reason only: because I knew I would drive this car, as we did yet again this past weekend. My Countach LP400 retains its twin mirrors for the same reasons. As for Pebble, do they even know what old Lamborghini's are? A touch too pretentious for some of us Im afraid, the 'upstarts' perhaps that we are percieved to be.... we would come if invited, but just who knows what is correct on a 1971 USA-specification P400SV? At least Id enjoy the drive there. Very Best, Joe
Joe Your remark about having to restore 3 times is very interesting and true. The first time you get the car usable but until you then drive it for a year you really don't figure out that the original alterntor on a good day puts out 40 amps and in traffic that's not enough to drive the fans or at night the original bulbs are so dim that you over drive them at 40mph. Buy the third time you've figured out how to stick the front end and keep the oil from running at 280 degrees. IMO you cannot restore a car without driving it for at least a year to learn what you need and want to do and you can't begin that process until you go through it and sort it to the point where you can take it out without worry that it's not safe or able to take you up to Vermont without packing a tow chain. The good news is that there are events and a new generation who are able to appreciate that a periscope CT is a wonder and is fun to cruise with along side with in your Daytona. That's one reason that in Jan. I won't be at Cavallino but will instead be cruising in P 4/5 at The Palm Beach Supercar Weekend where many brands of cool cars will get together and along with each other. Best Regards Jim
So after reading what you guys have here, it does make MORE sense to put the mirrior on as you all KNOW I do drive my cars, like Joe, the ONLY WAY to fly!!! LOL LOL So next questions, input please? I have two sets of orginal mirrors, 1) Chorme (I think these are for latter Miuras however) 2) Flat Black (these are the convex type) Which do I use, OR do I paint the mirriors the body color RED This is for my CT Periscopa car... WHERE would be he best mounting location...?
Haha Jim,you make me feel better! I thought it was just me but the sorting-out process is part of the post-restoration deal....I have always spent about 12 months "fettling" the car after the restoration, and then the expression "well-sorted" becomes meaningful. At that point the car is "in the zone" so to speak and is just sheer delight. I actually think that this process is even MORE applicable to Lambos, especially Miuras, so poorly were they finshed in 1971! In my case (or sad story, depending on how you view it) it was three seperate Miura SVs, the first two I now refer to as my "practice cars".....this last one was a fantastic experience, even though I slept very little for a year. I am still fettling it though... I think the Florida guys & East Coasters should pay attention (John, Tony) and get some Lambos over The Palm Beach Supercar Weekend - that sounds like a real blast. Thanks again Jim for sharing. Hearing from those who have 'been there' before us is to me like receiving wisdom from a good teacher. Its always appreciated and I have learned to listen. Joe www.lamborghiniregistry.com
Roy, The chrome mirrors were a "de-luxe" item usually ordered by terribly rich Miura owners in the 60s. LOL. They would look good on ANY Miura with chrome trim (window surrounds), so they are even a possibility for your gorgeous yellow Miura P400S. They have a certain period psychedelic 'bling' factor going for them...very cool, but strictly Miura. The flat black items were correct for your LP400, correct mounting points as with the Blu Tahiti one a few posts ago. They DID sometimes color-code them with the car, but that was a rare thing for discerning gentlemen, so I can see YOU doing that. Haha. Either way they will look just great and give the car that purposeful stance. Then too, at least you catch a glimpse of the color of that Toyota Tercel before it sideswipes you, so you have something to put in the report! What I mean is that those mirrors are definately helpful, but only the convex items are really more than marginal help for street use. I have another theory about why many LP400 left the factory with no mirrors. When someone asked Bobby Wallace why, he muttered in his effusive way: "WE werent worried that ANYTHING was coming up from behind to pass us!" LOL! Priceless. Rememeber, in 1975, the LP400 was The Fastest Production Car in the World. Period. Now take yours out and never change below 5,000.... Joe www.lamborghiniregistry.com PS - This thread is out of control (but delightfully so). I only meant it as a quick 2/3 page announcement thread to encourage guys to bring Countachs to Concorso next year...
OK, lots of info to think about....... NOW you got me thinking about changing the mirriors on my "S" Ok, one more On the 67 P400 I have, (blue over white) IT has two Chrome mirriors on the front fenders, AS WELL as one single flat chrome mirror on the drivers door hinge. What was that, an extra or factory? From what you say I would say the chrome on the fenders is INCORRECT for 67, as no chrome window trim rings. When I LOOK at it, IMO, the one on the drivers door is correct? Even looks as old as the car>>>LOL LOL
i'd like to add mirrors were not a must have item for italian 60's early 70's years non obbligatorio LOL
Thanks Emilio, I have not much pictures, onl 3 from my anniversary and just the one from my 86 red carburated QV (already posted on the thread), real nice original car, no stonechips, underside from car very nice, no corrosion or rust still on its first tyres, original stereo and only 11.400km, then also another carb. 86 QV in white with cream leather and black carpet, like new, never been in rain and in and outside like new, original stereo, 12.800km. Also this carb. anniversary, I do not really like these pictures but I don't have a better ones now, only 950km on this car and it has even the seal on the sigaretlighter, all new and had never a numberplate on it, I bought it from a man who had parked it in his LIVINGROOM!! He took it for a short drive 2 times a year to keep it in running order, I will keep this car like this, the white or red car will be my driver so I need a ansa sports exhaust for it! Then also my SV will get a registration next year, 2 sexy machines to drive, one to keep like brand NOS and one (a QV) to swich with a periscopa!! I guess the red QV has to go because I like the white one better, I will post some pic's soon. a question for all countach people: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE SPOILER??? REMOVE OR KEEP IT?? Personaly I think the anniversary looks better without, the white QV better with and a low body car without or with the "bigger" older spoiler, correct or anyone different ideas about this?? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
great collection you got where are you from? no wing on countach for me, they make the car looks taller p.s. good luck on your lp 400, personally i'd sell the 25th and keep the QV, but it is just me
Thanks Emilio, What are your favourite cars? I am from The Netherlands, I agree the spoiler is making the car taller, its also killing the top speed... But why so much people don't like the anniversary, I can understand the USA bumpers are looking like sh*t but a euro carburated anni is a nice car, very good driver, I like the back from the anniversary, every model has its bad and good things...
Roy, I say no mirror on the LP400, looks even more slick and you are not going to make it a daily driver.. just make shore you are always the fastest one on the road!
Roy Use Joe's post as a guide but before you lock the mirrors down sit in the car in driving position and have someone move them around until you achieve best vision. A half inch either way makes a huge difference sometimes. One other thing to keep in mind when driving cars like these. Turn your head to the side before you change lanes and look out of the side windows for a second. Even with mirrors there is still a huge blind spot. Move across at a shallow angle while accelerating. If some-one's in your blind spot this will give you more of a chance. Best
