Countach, the ultimate supercar | Page 129 | FerrariChat
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Countach, the ultimate supercar

Discussion in 'LamborghiniChat.com' started by joe sackey, Aug 21, 2007.

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Page 129 of 1163
  1. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #3201 joe sackey, Jul 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The late Jay Van Andell's Countach LP400 was in fact 1120192.

    Jay had Elvidio Grande bring it into the country for him in early 1976. Elvidio picked it up at the factory. Jay used it as a display piece at his Amway conventions, drove it 2 or 3 times and parked it in the family room on that fabulous glass house on the shores of Lake Michigan (leaving passing boaters to ask themselves why a Lamborghini Countach was visible within that manse!).

    Jay only kept it till 1989, and traded it back to Elvidio who kept it in his basement garage.

    I purchased it from Elvidio a decade later and essentially it was a "new" LP400 with 2800 km. I got it mechanically 100% and enjoyed it for a couple of years. I remember driving it from Laguna Niguel to California Speedway one year to meet up with John Lamm to photograph it for Road & Track. Thats when I learned that LP400 are not that great through the 'twisties' but in a straight line, hold on!

    Then I sold it to a collector in England who kept it a few years. Then I sold it yet again to a major collector in the Midwest who has a stunning collection of all-original cars, and it remains there.

    It is imaged below at the famed San Juan Capistrano silica pits, with my "Y 55" plates affixed. I miss it.
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  2. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #3202 joe sackey, Jul 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #3203 joe sackey, Jul 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    A classic image I dug up, from Helmut Newton. It begs the question, where does the young lady think she will fit that suitcase???
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  4. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #3204 joe sackey, Jul 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  5. EMILIO

    EMILIO F1 Veteran

    Feb 23, 2006
    6,854
    Italia
    #3205 EMILIO, Jul 8, 2009
    the orange car under the rain is not 1120026
     
  6. EMILIO

    EMILIO F1 Veteran

    Feb 23, 2006
    6,854
    Italia
    #3206 EMILIO, Jul 8, 2009
    perfect car in the right color
    that is an LP400 car that is almost impossible to duplicate
    i would miss it to!
     
  7. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #3207 joe sackey, Jul 8, 2009
    I think he is speaking of a car identified as 1120024?
     
  8. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #3208 joe sackey, Jul 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Awesome image by Jeremy Fergus. Note wrong rear tail-light reflectors - the units used here are for LP400S onwards, with the small rectangular reflectors directly beneath the brake lights.
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  9. SMS

    SMS F1 Veteran

    Jan 7, 2004
    6,775
    Indy
    Full Name:
    Bill S.
    #3209 SMS, Jul 8, 2009
    Joe,
    We are currently building a research lab in Michigan that bears his name, and is funded by his foundation. May Jay RIP, and we owe him thanks for the projects, and for bringing such a beautiful car to the States.
     
  10. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #3210 joe sackey, Jul 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    An inspiring man for sure, sorry I misspelled his last name, its Van Andel with just one 'l'.

    I never met the man, but I can tell you one thing, if that car was any indication, he sure knew how to look after his stuff.

    Attached image at California Speedway, Fontana, CA
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  11. Jota 5084

    Jota 5084 Formula 3

    May 18, 2006
    1,922
    Sweden
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    Eric Andersson
    #3211 Jota 5084, Jul 8, 2009
    +1, Giallo/Tabacco is THE colour for the Periscopa.
     
  12. raymondQV

    raymondQV F1 Rookie

    Aug 22, 2007
    4,061
    Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Raymond S.
    #3212 raymondQV, Jul 8, 2009
    I referred to the yellow car the singer of the UK band Jamiroquai owned, the other one was the famous JYP 43 N registred car, I remember a picture in one of my books when it was orange.
     
  13. mcg

    mcg Formula Junior

    Jul 26, 2004
    293
    Full Name:
    Andy
    #3213 mcg, Jul 8, 2009
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2009
    Ah yes. I remember. Was it Vogue Magazine that this photo appeared in?
     
  14. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
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    Joe Sackey
    #3214 joe sackey, Jul 8, 2009
    I think so!

    Painted-on Pirelli P7 markings, maybe one of the EU show-cars?
     
  15. gamby

    gamby Karting

    Aug 17, 2006
    229
    #3215 gamby, Jul 8, 2009
    It's a fantastic photo. Your archive of this stuff never ceases to amaze me, Joe.

    I think I still have that issue of R&T w/ the yellow LP400 in it. I remember drooling all over it when I first read it.
     
  16. BlueBiturbo

    BlueBiturbo F1 Rookie

    May 19, 2004
    3,968
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    TS
    #3216 BlueBiturbo, Jul 8, 2009
    Hey I think I scanned that picture from a UK mag long time ago
     
  17. ilrglen

    ilrglen Formula Junior

    Sep 30, 2005
    447
    Yorkton, SK, Canada
    Full Name:
    Glen Kohut
    #3217 ilrglen, Jul 9, 2009
    People at MIRA assured me some years ago that the LP500 prototype has been destroyed. Although, if it was rescued by some employee prior to heading into the crusher I am sure Joe will be able to find it.

     
  18. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,221
    Twin Cities
    Full Name:
    Tim Keseluk
    #3218 2NA, Jul 9, 2009
    Was it ever repaired after the "crash test"?
     
  19. ilrglen

    ilrglen Formula Junior

    Sep 30, 2005
    447
    Yorkton, SK, Canada
    Full Name:
    Glen Kohut
    #3219 ilrglen, Jul 9, 2009
    I was told it was destroyed after the crash test was completed.

     
  20. forza_lamborghini

    forza_lamborghini Karting

    Feb 5, 2005
    227
    Norway
    Full Name:
    Kaare Byberg
    #3220 forza_lamborghini, Jul 9, 2009
    Paolo Stanzani told me in 2005 that the prototype, then painted red (even the tyres), was taken back to the factory in Italy and spent several years in the infamous "graveyard". He had no idea as to what happened with it eventually, though.
     
  21. LP400S

    LP400S Formula 3

    May 18, 2002
    1,223
    West Coast
    #3221 LP400S, Jul 9, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  22. LP400S

    LP400S Formula 3

    May 18, 2002
    1,223
    West Coast
    #3222 LP400S, Jul 9, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  23. raymondQV

    raymondQV F1 Rookie

    Aug 22, 2007
    4,061
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    Raymond S.
    #3223 raymondQV, Jul 9, 2009
    Very unlikely that not a single person saw it there and didn't take a picture, pure fantasy I would say.
     
  24. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
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    Joe Sackey
    #3224 joe sackey, Jul 9, 2009
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2009
    But that's what they said about several cars that I have since found...

    I also remember a special one you found that's in the Museo :)

    My motto is: Never say Never.
     
  25. Jalpa_Mike

    Jalpa_Mike F1 Rookie

    Apr 2, 2004
    3,019
    Sequim
    Full Name:
    Michael Wilson
    #3225 Jalpa_Mike, Jul 9, 2009
    I remember seeing the name "Jas Rarewala" all over publications back then (1980's). I thought there was a brother too? What ever happened to them?

    Mike
     
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