So, let's say you by chance came across a Barn find. Say it was a Countach. Owned by one owner from new, never been photographed or seen at any event. For the lack of a better term, has never been know or seen by anyone once it's owner took possession of it in the USA way back in the day. Even it's service was alway's done in house by own mechanic, so it never has seen a Lamborghini or any outside service center. Say it has traveled less miles then most Lambo owners of today put on their car in a whole year. Lets say it is all there, books, tools..etc etc. Never been wrecked, all orginal, no paint work..NADA..but it is showing signs of age, small paint cracks in the normal places, interior leather a bit cracked, crap tires as they are from the day it was rolled of the asembly line..dash mouse hair is slighlty faded in spots..engine a bit dusty and still has all orginal parts, plugs, wires, old ignition..as when it was born..and about an inch of dust over the entire car from sitting for the last decade or so in a warehouse. Has multiple hand written documents in regards to it's build, sale, drive off on export plates, import papers, bill of sale, copy of payment, telex communications with the factory, a few pics of it's factory delivery, drive in europe as well as it's loading onto a boat to the USA and it's arrivial State-side.. SO, do you just get it mechanically correct and leave it with all it's patenia, do you leave as is,..or do you do a full restore on it like I did my other Lp400 Periscopa that I just completed..?
I will be the first one in with my 2 or maybe 3 cents. LOL You leave it as is. You can do a resto. any time, as many times as you want. You only get it FACTORY ORIGINAL ONCE!!! I say leave it the way the Italians in that Sant Agata factory put it together.
To me it depends. If the car truly has "patina" then fix the mechanical bits that need to be fixed (like changing the spark plug wires), keep all of the original stuff, clean it all well and do what you can to keep the cosmetics from deteriorating and otherwise leave it as is. If, on the other hand, the car has been "neglected" and the car just looks like no one has cared about it for 30 years (peeling paint, leather irreversibly cracked and torn, etc.) then it's beyond patina and should be redone. Frankly it just depends on the condition of the car. I don't think there is a bright line on this. Pictures would help. Btw, if is a Lamborghini Countach from the early 70's and it has the orinial battery, I would love to get detailed pictures and dimensions of the battery. Or,if you are going to toss it (and I recommend you do not) please let me know.
And you bust my nuts about the wearhouse car I know of....Almost sounds like the same damn car. Buy it, but do not restore it at all. Sell it as is. Let the buyer do as he/she wishes.
Not EVEN in the same world of a real car! Would love to Talk more guys, but out celebrating with friends tonite, more Details soon thanks for all the in-put so far!
I agree with Alberto. Patina is great, but a tatty-looking car isn't. More importantly, these cars are for driving not just showing (as you often remind us!), so in my view anything that stops a car being used regularly and reliably should be updated/replaced. This is also obviously a question of degree (for example, I think many people would support adding electronic ignition, but not conversion to fuel injection even if it's possibly more reliable). This is a nice problem to have! Jonathan
I agree with this, it has to be made mechanicaly safe and reliable for street use and my driving it. Such as tires, fluids, filters, plugs, wires lights, brakes, clutch, shocks, horn etc etc..and there is a way to add electronic ignition while hiding the equipment and leaving the apperance of the old style ignition. That would be the first order of business, then I know I could drive it from Seattle to Monterrey with no issues. It is the "cosmetic" end I am more concerned with. I can say it is not at all "tattered" or been neglected. More on the line of a few paint/rock chips on the wheels, a few paint chips-minor scrapes on the front nose and lower front flares, chips behind the wheels on the fenders (common). No rust or damge to the body, just a older car that has not seen a re-spray. The interior, actualy quite good, a few wear marks here and there..but again not a new car. So where on my other Lp400 periscopa I did a complete re-spray, interior..every single incho of the car to bring it re-born as a brand new car that had just left the factory floor..this is my struggle what to do now. But I think I will just wait for it's gone through inch by inch inspection, then probably sleep in it over night (lol) and make a decsion..of course this wont happen in the next week or so I am sure...now the check list and the wiat begin.
Reminds me of a client's Miura. A couple years ago I went thru the "tired bits" and freshened it up but the original paint and interior remain.
I don't know, I'm reminded of the yellow LP400 that Joe posts a photo of once in a blue moon, with the scrapes and the dents and the "patina"... seeing it spins me around about this exact question...
Normally I'd agree with this, however, how many 100% original Countaches are left in the world? From what Roy's saying this car is a time capsule; it hasn't been touched since it left the factory and IMO it'd be a shame to alter this car in any way other than giving it a very good detailing. As others have said; they're only original once. And let's be honest, whoever end's up buying this car won't be using it as a driver so why update/replace parts to make it more reliable when it's just going to end up going back into a garage (or museum) anyways? BTW, I'm itching to see pics of this car!!
A few answers here guys.. I dont see this car being for sale, the more and more I learn of it and it's history and CLOSE RELATION to the father himself Mr. Lamborghini..it appears it is going to stay with me and add to my collection. As of late, some of you have noticed some cars starting to be removed from my web site. This is because the time AND AGE, has come for me to keep the toys I have come across over the years that SIMPLY cant be replaced. I dont have the need for the money in the bank, so I have decided to start keeping them and enjoying what I have done over the years with hopefully a number of years left to enjoy them. Along with the new showroom I opened and bought, I have another 11,000 Sq Foot building right next door that is being built out to house my OWN not for sale cars. After I go bye bye, then the kids can do what they wish. I of course have EVERY intention of sharing these cars with others that, when the time comes, I will have open to the "invited Public" for viewing. Until the day my eyes and feet make it unsafe to drive these cars..I WILL be operating them as frequently as I can and sharing them at future events as much as my time warrants. I have been extremely lucky to have this "Job" take care of me and allow me to meet great people, get great cars, make good friends, go to great events AND still be able to fuel my desirte for these great machines.! Thanks to ALL that have helped me get to this point in my life. Along with this car, In the last month or so, I have purchased a few other GREAT and RARE examples of the Lamborghini mark, some have been out there and are know, some not. As much as it is FUN to share details with all here..I decided that my goal is best served to aquaire the vehicles I am searching, then start and keep a written as well as photo log of its aquasition till I am ready to share it with the Public..then it will be revealed and I will enjoy the trip from finding and securing it till I let it be shared with everyone else. This car, I am looking at a "re-birth" of Monterrey this year... DEAL guys! ???
