Countach, the ultimate supercar

Thanks for the offer Emilio! I`ll in Modena wednesday next week!

Ciao!
Walter

 

Considering all the "adjustment points" on a Countach suspension (16 rod-ends and 4 adjustable spring/shocks just in the rear) that can influence handling, I would not be surprised to find significant differences in the "feel" of cars that are otherwise identical. These rod-ends are prone to wear (no grease fittings) and this will change the feel quite a bit as well.

The LP400 had a slightly simpler (fewer parts) suspension than the later cars and "skinny" tires so I would expect a whole different ride.

All the cars benefit from a very stiff tubular "space frame" that helps them have that "screwed down" feel when cornering.

 

..eh..."simpler"?? For me an adjustable suspension that is almost the same than with a race car doesn`t deserve to be called "simple"!

Ciao!
Walter

 

Just a few less parts (one less link on each side).

 

The LP400 has the ride height adjustable, right?
It's the same technique I have in my QV with the Diablo 2wd struts, you can simply turn up and down the support of the spring, that's what I also found on #1120001.
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You need a hook spanner and it's not as easy as it looks, but you can indeed adjust ride height.

On cars with "tired" springs I have machined spring spacers to give the suspension a "boost".

The best method of course is to install new springs.

 

Modena would be perfect, but wednesdays are out for me (i usually could find "some" time on saturday-sunday )

let me know where and when you 'll come by PM and i will try

p.s. i see you are often close to my area, really hope to meet you sooner or later Walter

 

Emilio,
I`ll never in Modena over the wekend! All restoration shops are closed then and I have to superwise a H U G E resto-project that keeps me busy for the next 2 years there! So, I will be more often in Modena during that period.

Perhaps this time is "no good" as I have a very tight time schedule. But next time, we both are giving your "babe" a run....! Promise!

Ciao!
Walter

 

ok. we will keep in contact

 

whats with the front indicator panels ?

 

so these orange panels were from factory? and the white-red interior was factory to?

different car, very interesting Joe

 

Joe:
There is something I really would like to understand.
There has been much ink, if not blood, spilled regarding the last 7 LP400. If you are correct then the Vin do not stop at 1120300 but rather 1120314, assuming that the factory kept at least the sequencing by 2.

Nobody has ever provided any facts on any lp400 cars past 1120300. So here are my questions:

1. Does the 157 includes the last 7 400 converted by the factory into 400S, thus there were given the vin 1121xxx ? If so there should be viewed as 400S since factory converted with a 400S vin
2. If the factory has not "officially" converted the last 7 400 in 400S where are these last 7 cars?
3. "25 converted 400 to S" I would say that even if the factory did the work, it was not planned production work. It have been done opportunistically on request after the car was out of the production line. Thus all these cars are 400 and not 400S per their Vin although lesser 400 or 400s. If the factory did plann on it then Peters car would likely be a lp400 but it is not. It has a 400S Vin. Thinking otherwise makes every Countach an LP400 candidate (I like that thought).

I would like to think of a model in term of its vin that reflects the companys intention of the model

 

LOL that is funny

 

Joe:
I appreciate your insight. As I said, my purpose is curiosity for the real story. It is not a crusade for getting a number I like. The "blood" and ink I referred was mostly about other boards over the years. I got "rammed into" just by mentioning the 157 number than I did pick from the registry.
Regarding your legal data I would hope that after so many years there would be prescription on this legal matter from all parties. By comparison, I am not sure a rapist could be trialed 25 or 30 years after the crime but I do understand that legal issues are always delicate.
I agree that we should not speculate on what the factory did but it seems that given the fact that you say there is a legal data involving Vin #1120314, then there is the likelihood of 7 cars beyond the 150 number that is typically thrown around. Given the Vins are sequentially predictable, even in that period, it is reasonable to infer that there are also cars 1120302, 1120304,1120306,1120308,11203010,1120312 but no one is 100% sure.
I am just trying to establish the basis for saying there is possibly 157 cars or surely 157 cars.
Anybody having a 400 reading this board that has one of these Vins could really cut short that whole uncertainty.
Also, I would think that having access to any factory worker at the time being there would solve this issue as well. Someone(s) has built these cars and at least one must be alive to talk. I am not trying to be cute here. I am just not seeing why we cannot get clear confirmation of any of these cars (even avoiding the legally bound car) given a lot of people have direct access to the big names and some smaller names who worked at the factory. Wallace should know. He test drove them. I would do this work if I were to have an arm that reaches but unfortunately I do not have any kind of regular relationship with these great people other than seeing some of them at the shows. Shows do make for in-depth conversation such as this one.

 

Speaking of LP400 not identified, including vins never heard of or not in the registry, here are 2 Japanese 400 that could use a Vin. These cars are on the Japanese site.

The Lime Green 400:
I only find pictures of that car on the Japanese registry. Made up to look like 001.


The Yellow/Tan 400:
This does not seem to be 1120212-1120236 in the registry. Interior color does not match. Have we identified these cars are?
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