Countach, the ultimate supercar

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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Another LP400 I admire is Bruno D's car...
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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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Countach & Lamborghini toys, re-post, but fun to see again!
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the orange car under the rain is not 1120026

 

perfect car in the right color
that is an LP400 car that is almost impossible to duplicate
i would miss it to!

 

I think he is speaking of a car identified as 1120024?

 

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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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.

 

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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+1, Giallo/Tabacco is THE colour for the Periscopa.

 

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.

 

Ah yes. I remember. Was it Vogue Magazine that this photo appeared in?

 

I think so!

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

 

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.

 

Hey I think I scanned that picture from a UK mag long time ago

 

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.

 

Was it ever repaired after the "crash test"?

 

I was told it was destroyed after the crash test was completed.

 

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.

 

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Very unlikely that not a single person saw it there and didn't take a picture, pure fantasy I would say.

 

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.

 

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