Countach, the ultimate supercar

Que? I cant understand, please explain whats that string for?

 

Awesome shot...where did you find this one?

Check out the radio & narrow window cranks...

 

Looks to be S3.

 

#1120082?

 

Correct. Stance, single 'flag' type Vitaloni mirror, and end plates on wing suggest so.

 

I think so.

 

I have sources.

 

The string holds a little circular lead seal with a stamp on it, awarded to any car that has had export duties paid (or something similar).

On Miuras, it was usually tied around the steering column as seen below. On the LP400 it seems to have been tied around the steering wheel spokes. I have only ever seen it on LP400, but not on an LP400S or beyond.
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Perhaps it was mounted in this position so as to be instantly visible by the authorities upon export or at borders etc.
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Another new LP400 with lead seal tied around steering wheel spoke...
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Joe, any details on the twine, size of seal, and embossed pattern?
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None.

Other than we know it was there on some new cars. Can you shed some light?

 

I have a few of those seals left over from 1970 when I was a parachute rigger. I used them to seal freshly packed reserves.

Back in the 70's they were used to seal Stromberg carburettors on Jaguar engines to prevent tampering with the emission system. I recently had a 1970 Etype in the shop that still had the intact seals on it. Pretty incredible that the tops hadn't been off the carbs in 39 years.

I have no idea why the seal would be around the steering wheel or column other than the previously mentioned tax payment. Sort of like the tax stamps on cigarette packs.

 

I thought you had an export duty lead seal and twine hangin' roun' red.
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Thats on a Miura. I you look at post 4159 there seems to be a different embossing on the seal, the seal itself is much more substantial, the string looks different, and the application is different. Any details?

 

I'm thoroughly enjoying this =)

Would Alfa, etc have had similar seals when exported?

 

I aint never see'd nutin' lik' et' 'fore.
Will be aware (wolf?)

Lux lik numer 6 cud benign?
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Found this....
http://www.leghornseals.com/international/leadseal.html

An italian company too.

 

This photo can tell alot. Lets get a higher res scan please
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Great link.....string too! in metric sizes !!!!!

 

Here is the gauge cluster of 1120001 as it exists today- plus some other interesting detail. I think the In Rodaggio sticker was added recently, and look at the size of the water overflow tank!
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I think it was already on the car in 2000, unfortunately I can't remember, perhaps I can find the original foto and scan with better resolution.

http://www.countach.ch/History/LP400/1120001_5.jpg

Edit, it was on the car in 2000, just found another picture showing it.
Also the engine bay looks like having been cleaned only.
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yes,

but a very good looking S3

 

Raymond,

do you remember how much they were asking for the car in 2000?
did the owner knew it was the first LP400 car?

 

Thanks Raymond.

It was definitely not there in the historic images of the car in '72 & '73.

The gold wheels have been repainted silver, the goofy mirrors deleted along with the red seat belts, but that's about it.