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

 

Well I have to say that half the collectors I help find cars in the USA have come from Europe to utilize the stong buying power their Euro has in the USA. The europeans have been buying here in increased numbers for the past year.

True total restorations are in excess of $100k (more like $150k where a Miura is concerned) but the specialist and award-winning restoration shops are very booked so I have not noticed the Europeans restoring more Lamborghinis over here. Most of Bobileff's restorations are for USA-based clients and if you knocked on his door today, he cant take your car till late 2008/early 2009 anyway. The 'project' cars I have found new homes abroad have all been shipped away to be completed there. At any rate your thoughts make sense.

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

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!

 

Thats true in some cases...

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

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

 

I think youll find Walter is just being practical.

I do like the idea of my restorer being in my own back yard, and not neccesarily for legal reasons alone. Rule number one about restoring a car: Visit often. Or else when the restorer says to you on the phone "Ive got 3 of my best guys on it right now", he might mean 3 shop hands are sitting on it having lunch....

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

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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Wow. Look at that impellar...

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDGeibpzGMU

 

Very cool video!

Anyone know the people?

 

The owner of the blue Countach LP400 1120172 was Paul Marshall who was paralysed from waist down so he had the car modified so he could operate it with hand controls.

Ayad Shammas has restored it...

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

 

Ive made the point once before about Paul Marshall: I laugh when I hear able-bodied guys b*tch & complain about the Countach being hard to drive, and here we have a paralyzed guy whose attitude is "Im going to enjoy this icon of a sportscar no matter what". Hats off to you Paul. My hero....

BTW, the Countach is dead easy to drive to me. What? Should it drive like your neighbor's minivan?

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

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.....

 

Before it was green...

Joe
www.joesackey.com
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Looks like the E-brake cable could use a little attention.

 

LOL! 35 years later it still does.... LOL.

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

1120086 looks headed to Scandinavia, another one captured by the almighty Euro.

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

One of the first post-Periscopa Countach...

Joe
www.joesackey.com
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