Countach, the ultimate supercar

Not all doors were created equal.

Here a factory worker sizes up a door's shut-line, and then decides the panel-gap is too small and files the door down a little.

You can see the metal-filings on the floor in the top image.
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Men with little hammers everywhere!
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Caption this one: "I've got 3 of my best guys on it right now!"

Front wheel-arch spat application requires fettling.
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These images show how much composite material was used for floor & wall panels that insulated the interior...
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From a bare chassis, to having aluminum panel-work attached, to bodywork applied, to full-bodied car including spats...
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Ordinarily, a lady hitting a Countach with a hammer is a very bad thing, but in this case its business as usual!
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Still waiting for the door-guy to show up, he said anytime from 9 to 1...
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Primering stage. They better not mix those individually fitted doors with a batch for another car!
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Okay, she's all done. Valentino? Valentino!
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Fantastic pictures, thanks.

 

In a way; Countach form in that era indicates car being "out of space", car is ment to look like "modern car" made by in some odd laboratory -style factory, but in reality, most people in that era had no idea how these cars where made and how people see mass produced cars made today, even sportscars, anything else but hand crafted individual cars.
everytime you see these period factory photos it is just amazing.

 

Joe. Tks for posting these old factory images. These explains well why a murcielago or aventador won't ever be considered an hand nade item like a Countach or miura. They are so much better cars and products, but very different. Ferrari and Lamborghini p.r. will stres the point of the "handcrafted" cars while showing people making leather seats cover by hand on f12 and aventadors ...you can see it and decide by yourself what is the reality.
These vintage Lamborghinis were made almost 100% at factory and by hand. Lamborghini way of building cars was already old fashion at the time but is one of the reasons these cars are so special today. This looks like a 1950 way of making cars... it is even more "fun" thinking they were making some of the most fast and advanced road cars of the period
One interesting thing is that even in the 90 's during Diablo time things were still made in a much similar old school way. Even if company was part of chrysler group all looked more or less like in the 80's.
Please note i am NOT talking about values...i keep my opinion on current excalation in prices out of this great thread. I am just speacking of the factory now and then and cars building

 

fantastic pictures.

at least painter has protective mask..

 

Your stash of pics is never ending.
Thanks for sharing.

 

Check out the guy with a cigarette in one hand and a paintbrush in the other,try that at any assembly line today, he he

 

Great pics Joe.
Thanks for sharing.

 

I disagree. Not now, not yet. Completely the wrong time.

 

Stunning pictures...Truely another time no that long ago. The 70s and 80s were awsome times..

As for the guy bringing the door between 9 to 1, that was meant to be between 9 PM and 1AM..lol. (9AM to 12PM is expresso time at the terrace getting the pulse of the nieghborhood and 12PM is nap time).

 

OK I give up and nobody else is guessing, who is the VIP customer and his lady friend?

Also I love all of the factory photos that you have just posted Joe. Thanks Vic

 

Joe

You NEED to write the book!

 

I don't think it is yet sold, seller placed a new ad with new pics today => Lamborghini Countach LP400 S. Two owners car and immaculate. For Sale (1980) on Car And Classic UK [C562369]

 

he is charming the pretty young lady at front desk...

 

Emilio,

With so much talk about rocketing values & silly numbers I appreciate you helping keep this thread enthusiast-focused. I know how you feel even as a Countach owner anyway, so there is no need to say it.

Yes just posting these pics took me down memory lane (a not unemotional experience), because not long after these images were made I bought my first Countach LP500S and visited this small old factory. So many stories from those early days 30 years ago came flooding back. The midnight drives on the motorway at maximum velocity...

These cars were built by human beings, mostly men and a few women. Do you see how I cannot fathom why people would not just keep them as their makers intended, just as a mark of respect to them?

Hope you are well my friend.

 

One day Jose, one day.

 

Why is it the wrong time?