Countach, the ultimate supercar | Page 777 | FerrariChat
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Countach, the ultimate supercar

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

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  1. geno berns

    geno berns F1 Rookie

    Oct 26, 2006
    3,006
    Midwest
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    Geno
    #19401 geno berns, Aug 9, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  2. Jamesark

    Jamesark Karting

    Nov 12, 2007
    173
    #19402 Jamesark, Aug 9, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    That's my former LP400, 1120122 in its original guise Black with light tan, was later repainted Bronze, then white and is now yellow. Came to Australia from the middle east and was the first Countach in the country. I owned it twice over the years...It's now in Melbourne.

    Here's a later ad when the car was white..
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  3. Spyder-Man

    Spyder-Man Formula 3

    May 11, 2004
    2,097
    UK
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    Rob
    #19403 Spyder-Man, Aug 10, 2014
    Lovely. But where are the wing mirrors?
    R
     
  4. Peter K.

    Peter K. F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 9, 2004
    4,448
    Connecticut
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    Peter K.
    #19404 Peter K., Aug 10, 2014
    Probably the Copper car that's coming up at the auction. Might have seen a radio shot when it was first posted.

    It's interesting to try to understand, the CM-630, 7135, 7136 all connected to the 77-79 Countach. Seems not one was standard but all 3 were possibilities.
     
  5. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #19405 joe sackey, Aug 10, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    For some strange reason, a number of LP400 never had external mirrors fitted. I drove 1120192 extensively when I owned it, in all kinds of traffic too, and I must admit, it was a bit unnerving!
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  6. mt_jt

    mt_jt Formula Junior

    May 9, 2012
    602
    Australia
    #19406 mt_jt, Aug 11, 2014
    With all the safety additions officially required of these cars to be imported legally i.e. bumpers, indicator lights etc. I'm surprised to hear a number of these early cars had no mirrors!
     
  7. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
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    Joe Sackey
    #19407 joe sackey, Aug 12, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    LP400 hardly had bumpers to speak of, and they were delivered in the era of static seat belts etc. Not only did some early cars have no mirrors, some cars have been restored without them.
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  8. Redlambo

    Redlambo Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 5, 2004
    2,413
    Pendergrass GA
    Full Name:
    Vic Woloschinow
    #19408 Redlambo, Aug 12, 2014
    Good thing the DOT stepped in to save us from these obvious short falls of the original Countach design / build. LOL, ok sarcasm off.
     
  9. P300V8

    P300V8 Formula 3

    Mar 8, 2010
    1,645
    London U.K.
    #19409 P300V8, Aug 12, 2014
    From what I have observed it was quite common for early show cars of all models to have no mirrors - they spoiled the purity of line. But once wide arches, wings and spoilers were introduced there was little point!
     
  10. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
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    Joe Sackey
    #19410 joe sackey, Aug 12, 2014
    Exactly.

    Many on-the-road Miuras had no mirrors.
     
  11. geno berns

    geno berns F1 Rookie

    Oct 26, 2006
    3,006
    Midwest
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    Geno
    #19411 geno berns, Aug 12, 2014
    Mirrors look dumb on a 189 mph car from that era! Back than nothing could keep up to you'd just run past the car to your side to change lanes.
     
  12. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
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    Joe Sackey
    #19412 joe sackey, Aug 13, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    When mirrors were mounted by the works back in that era, they used Vitaloni Sebring units which essentially were race-car mirrors. At least they looked the part...
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  13. SupercarGuru

    SupercarGuru F1 Rookie
    Sponsor

    Dec 14, 2003
    3,744
    Fl
    Full Name:
    John Temerian
    #19413 SupercarGuru, Aug 15, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Spent a few months searching for a Countach and ended up with 3 cars. An 1987 (this car), 1984, 1988.5. Beyond excited. This car came out of a collection which included a 599 GTO, 190 SL, 575 Superamerica and some other amazing cars.

    Very original car with 11,000 miles.

    Have a great automotive photographer, Albert Manduca, that was able to capture the car out and about in Miami this past week.

    Forgot how fast these cars were... and how much attention they get! ITS INSANE. We spent majority of our time asking on-lookers to give us a few minutes alone with the car to capture some photos.

    I will post the final photos as soon as Albert sends them over.
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  14. em42

    em42 Formula 3

    Mar 30, 2008
    1,509
    #19414 em42, Aug 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hi everyone,

    I have just fulfilled a great child's dream and I am now the owner of a magnificent Tahiti Blue 5000S Countach. Her nickname is Miss Tahiti for those who know her! The car drives like a dream, possesses all its books and tools and has a complete service history from fantastic people. I was very lucky to get it.

    What a thrill it is to drive a Countach!!! Now I can understand first hand all the comments that I read in this amazing thread. This is really like no other car. The cornering capabilities are those of a race car, and what an engine. It is much easier to drive than what I have thought of. Of course the dimensions are impressive and the visibility can be tricky in the back, but other than that, it really drives wonderfully. The controls are firm but not heavy as I read everywhere in period magazines. Overall the car feels really homogeneous.

    What a thrill it is to look at a Countach too!! I spent the entire evening in the car with my kids and some friends just staring at it, going in and out those incredible scissor doors: like a dream come true...

    I would like to thank Raymond for his fantastic and friendly help during the process and also Olivier who helped me a lot through many good advice. Thank you so much guys!

    My confidence on the wheel is growing, but I take it stpe by step and I don't want to rush. The more I see it, the more I love it!

    Here is a poster I just commissioned from Guy Allen and I think it expresses much of the sensations I've had during this first week!
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  15. Olivier NAMECHE

    Olivier NAMECHE F1 Veteran

    Aug 18, 2007
    5,094
    CANADA
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    Olivier
    #19415 Olivier NAMECHE, Aug 17, 2014
    Congratulations Ed, I know it will be well preserved in your hands...

    Please, share with us some pics and/or a GoPro video...
     
  16. Peter K.

    Peter K. F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 9, 2004
    4,448
    Connecticut
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    Peter K.
    #19416 Peter K., Aug 17, 2014
    Excellent and enjoy.
     
  17. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
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    Joe Sackey
    #19417 joe sackey, Aug 17, 2014
    Congratulations! Many happy miles. The carbed LP500S is a very special car, and not many nice ones remain. I saw your car in 2007 @ St Moritz I think, and I was very impressed.
     
  18. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
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    Joe Sackey
    #19418 joe sackey, Aug 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    For purposes of the registry, and speaking of nice examples which remain, here is LP500S 12540, Rosso & Champagne (dark brown dash, copper carpets), factory Gold wheels with large European-spec rear wing.

    It has just over 6,000 genuine miles.

    Delivered Jan the 17th 1983 via authorized Lamborghini concessionaire EmilianAuto di Bologna, Italy (original Bill of Sale is with the car).
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  19. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #19419 joe sackey, Aug 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Another Countach LP500S going to a new home is 1982 Lamborghini Countach 5000S 12507, the 1982 Geneva Salon car, finished by the works in Argento & Blu (blue dash & blue carpets), a rare combination that the current owner had always admired.

    The first 20 LP500S were fitted with Campagnolo Cast Magnesium wheels as was 12507 (replaced by Ozzeta Electron units subsequently). 12507 also has the large Eu wing fitted.

    With the advent of the LP500S, the Countach finally got the 5-liter engine that Messrs Stanzani & Wallace had in mind for the original LP500 design, with 6 twin-throat 45 DCOE Weber carburetors.
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  20. raymondQV

    raymondQV F1 Rookie

    Aug 22, 2007
    4,059
    Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Raymond S.
    #19420 raymondQV, Aug 17, 2014
    Very nice, where was it originally delivered?
     
  21. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
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    Joe Sackey
    #19421 joe sackey, Aug 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Delivered new to Lamborghini USA, and tested in Ann Arbor, Michigan for new DOT & EPA mandates, leading to developmental engineering for the subsequent USA fuel-injection system.

    Bear in mind that the car is back in its original 6 twin-throat 45 DCOE Weber carburetor guise as delivered in 1982 (pic below when new from the Pete Lyons Lamborghini book) with all the DOT & EPA components discarded (bar side-markers).
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  22. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #19422 joe sackey, Aug 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The one-off Verde Metallizzato LP400S 1121316 which was special-ordered by an Oil Sheikh member of the Saudi Royal family in 1981 has changed hands.

    This Countach is one of the first S3 variants built, and it was liveried in a unique & beautiful combination of medium metallic green with khaki-colored leather and green carpets (cockpit & rear trunk). Countachs were typically finished in versions of Rosso, Bianco and Nero, with examples sometimes finished in Blu, Argento or Giallo in some instances. A Verde Countach is especially rare, and a truly a stunning sight to behold.

    Having traveled just 3,500 miles from new, 1316 exists exactly as it was originally built, following a total last-nut-and bolt restoration under the auspices of Automobili Lamborghini SpA, using the very same artisans who originally built it on 1981.*

    No expense was spared, and a complete restoration file exists with the car. Besides the truly phenomenal restoration, the car retains its original features and details, right down to Campagnolo stickers on the wheels and Vitaloni stickers on the door mirrors!

    Upon completion, this Countach was briefly displayed on behalf of its owner (one of Europe's most prominent Lamborghini collectors) at Automobili Lamborghini SpA's own Museo.*

    The car's new owner, a prominent USA collector, acquired the car via consultation with Joe Sackey Classics LLC, and as in the past http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/143149218-post19008.html we were fortunate to be able to retain legendary Lamborghini factory development driver Valentino Balboni for the inspection. After spending some time with the car, Balboni was effusive, as this Countach represents the pinnacle of a restored Countach in his opinion. Try as he might to find fault during the course of the detailed inspection, he was unable to, and his written report describes a fastiduously restored Countach.

    JSC LLC wishes to thank the European Seller, the USA collector Buyer (with whose blessing this is being shared), and Valentino Balboni for their collaboration.
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  23. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #19423 joe sackey, Aug 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  24. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #19424 joe sackey, Aug 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  25. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #19425 joe sackey, Aug 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
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