Countach, the ultimate supercar

Thanks Tony, but I think you spoke too soon as I was just about to post some pretty poor quality photos of a guy lighting up the rears of his 1986 Countach QV (downdraft carbs) and speeding down the freeway!

That guy is Jay Leno.
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Well, Peter think of it this way: the top speed of those more mundane vehicles in the background of the image was likely 80 mph at best. The Countach could pass them going 180 mph, over twice their speed! That's like a typical economy or rental car that will do 120 or 130 mph today, being passed by something today that will do twice their speed! Thats how out-of-this-world the Countach was in 1975.

 

Beware: I am not sure. It would be helpful to know the year in which these photos were made.

 

Thépenier followed V.P.M. in Lambo French distributionship.

1963 to the end of 1973 : Voitures Paris Monceau - V.P.M.
1973 to begining of 1976 : Thépenier

Thépenier father stopped the activity because it was too hard and not easy to make profit. He offered Edmond Ciclet to run the garage providing him a personnal loan to buy the place later on. Edmond didn't accept, believing he will be able to do the same at cheaper budget. Edmond Ciclet has NEVER been an official Lambo importer...the next one was Jacques Bolognini from 1982 untill 2000 when Audi put the hand on it.

Olivier

 

I'll add that Garage Thepenier was still selling cars in the early 1980s. I bought my Maserati from them in 1981. They were not selling new Lambos but they had new Maseratis. At the time they tried to get my father to buy a Quattroporte when I went pick up the car and he took me there. Since he has never been a car crazy guy this went nowhere.
They had a few lambo they were working on. I dont know when they folded completly as I left France in 1984.
I was not impressed with the establishment.

And no I never saw them having Ferraris. I think Charles Pozzi was the Ferrari guy at this time.

 

Thank you Olivier.

 

this is supposedly the 400S driven by James May on top gear lambo episode

it was in UK, then it sold and still in Europe

somebody knows the VIN? or where it ended up?

very nice color!
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'87 QV (USA spec) with 24,000 miles on the clock and 225 tires with little tread left. Springs are stock, not broken and function well and they do not appear to have much if any sag. Vertical measurement at the center of wheel. 23 3/8 inches to the bottom of the wheel arch, 29 3/4 inches to the top of the fender. Car is sitting as it was driven into storage (not lifted or jacked up). However, in the spring of next year, it will be driven out lower than it is now. Hope this helps.

 

Which paint code is that ?

 

Blu Tahiti on an overcast day?

 

Even though this is badged as an LP400S (S3), who is to say its not a 5 litre specially prepped for the press?
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I read way back that an Ohio gentleman purchased this 1988.5 and donated it to the Police for a period in an effort to combat teenage deaths on the road. Anyone have more info?
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Chop-chop. Another LP400 which became something else. Countach "SS" on Kansas plates.
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I was figuring may be a "Celeste Chiaro", but you are right it was very cloudy that day !

 

Is this the Mardikian creation for Rod Stewart? There can't be two like that.

 

I would not be surprised at all if there are.

Remember the unique (for lack of a better word) LP400S Mardikian had the factory build for Sheldon Brooks? There were 2. An Arab prince saw it being built, and next thing you know the factory made a duplicate. I dont know if the Kansas-plated car is the same as the Rod Stewart car.

 

The last four-liter Countach that I'm personally aware of, absolutely mint with just 20,000 miles (32,000 km) on the clock from new, from a long term collection, still with P7s on it!
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Reminds me a little of the infamous "Miles Revell" car (white with the front wing).

 

This is in a little bit better condition!

 

LMAO! Do ya think?

Where is that heap now?

 

The Revell car.... that's the one that was languishing away in a Texas field?

 

Thats not even a parts car. The opposite end of the spectrum...
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Im looking for a red Countach QV, can either be fuel-injected or carbs. Must be in the USA.

If you think you might sell yours, or know of one that might be available contact me ASAP via e-mail below.
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Isn't this the car that was the subject of an Autoweek cover story of a man in Kansas who won this car from an Alpine contest. That car was an "SS" chop car by Mardikian. And this photo also has Kansas plates.

 

Breifly I had a set of 225 tires on the front of my 1979 lowbody (SN112.1094) and they would rub the inside of the fender housing when turning hard. They did not rub when I hit a sizeable bump in the road. I switched back to a 205 size (but not in a P-zero as I would have wanted). These cars are low and hitting a rabbit (or skunk!) would cause issues.
Anderson