Countach, the ultimate supercar

thanks for the Countach market updates...I just had a thought...with the dollar dwindling like it currently is, I would think Europeans, etc. with Miura's, Countach's, etc. that require restoration services are probably booking US based 'shops' with a hefty 50% off (currency discount) or so. Anyone know if this is going on? It would make perfect sense.

For example - extensive restorations can cost in excess of $100K on these cars...you could ship it back and forth over the pond and still save tens of thousands of euros/dollars..just a thought

 

I would never do this! And I promise you that you don`t get this job done for $$100k incl. engine and suspension.......!

Ciao!
Walter

 

Walter, I am not 'theorizing' on it as if it is a bad thing, I am pointing out that if you could book the best in the US you could have it done for half price over here, not a bad thing to consider. At one time $100K was the equivalent of 130K EUROS, and now it is what it is today? Big difference!

 

Don`t know if you ever had such a car restored. When you are involved in that many questions, problems etc. come up fast and those needs fast decision. The time-difference between the US and ol`Europe doesn`t help with this. Then - I want to see how work on my car continues. Then most of the US-shops have their problems with anything more than 1 crank....(no, Joe...I don`t talk about Bobileff and one or two others!). Bob Wallace is one of the blessed persons in the US who knows exactly what to do. But if you don`t have such a shop working for you - problems occur. And then, travelling the pond in both directions cost time, efforts and ....money! And then the 30,000Euros you mentioned are gone veeeeery fast.And finally: if a problem comes up AFTER the resto and you have the car in EU its very hard to get the legal action against the restorer done. No -- far too much problems here with your idea.

Ciao!
Walter

 

.....never mind then

 

lol! I agree with everyone about keeping an eye on things and it ends up just being a BAD idea! I'll work on something else....and post that!

 

It could also mean you're being billed for 24 hours today, ka-ching!

It is always a good idea to stay in close contact (good for both parties).

With the miracle of the internet and digital cameras it isn't absolutely necessary to live across the street from the shop.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDGeibpzGMU

 

Very cool video!

Anyone know the people?

 

As if driving a Countach isn't tricky enough. Hand controls must have been a real challenge.

 

Alex Zanardi is racing saloon car with hand controls. That's a real challenge. (Not to say that a Countach with hand controls is not; it must take a set of big ones to drive a race car in competition with hand controls.)

Alberto

 

Considering the technology of the time, modifying the clutch so you could effectively modulate it without either killing the engine or smoking the tires without the benefit of a practiced left foot is a significant accomplishment. I'd be interested in seeing how it was done. Hand controls are most often applied to automatic transmission equipped cars for this reason.

Today, with the invention of the F1 transmission or Lamborghini's EGear, no problem.

 

Can`t agree more!!! My deepest respect for Paul Marshall!
About the complainments: the Countach first feels heavy and somewhat "stiff" - for people with a common ability of driving such cars. Every race car from that area feels "stiff" at first but its up to the driver to get wonderfull things out of it. And out of an LP 400 you can get "magical" things.....(if you know what to do!). the rest is ....silence!

Ciao!
Walter

 

My hats off to that man.....

 

Looks like the E-brake cable could use a little attention.