Countach, the ultimate supercar

This is by no means highly accurate, but straight-forward measurements on period photos suggest the LP500 wore 15 inch rims, unless the rims had very tall edges.
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I, for one, like it!

 

rim diameter is measured near the bead of the flanged not the edge. So if it's a 13,14,15,16 it will roughly measure an inch larger than the indicated size

But if it's been said here on Fchat that its conclusive than its the bible I suppose...

Keep in mind the forced perspective of the lens. Notice how you can't see the centerline of and the off side pillars are smaller? Basic design 101. Now if this was image was taken from the surface of the the moon, this may help. U

 

Not a good Countach color imo, love the interior, probably a good exterior color on a 275gts Ferrari with offwhite interior

 

Love it! So much so that I had it replicated in 1/43 scale - although I had this one finished in genuine Luci del Bosco.
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I just remembered that the 2nd or 3rd (crashed) yellow urraco prototype was also equipped with 14 inch wheel had pirelli's during 72 earls court show that weren't the CN36 found on the early orange or white prototype. I don't know the tread pattern well enough to confirm its a CN12 but that shouldnt be too difficult to figure out. I find it difficult to believe pirelli offered more than 2 low profile 60's road going tire in 71-72 right before the P7.

 

Is it 1120096?

If it is it, I remember when it was for sale at Affolter more than 10 years ago. I saw it on an ad and said to myself, what an horrible colour for a Countach.

Then, I went to see it, and boy! How great it looked in the flesh! It almost gave an "understated" look to the Countach (if possible!), and underlined amazingly its design cues. I totally loved it, and I think it is one of the best colours for an LP400.

I went several times to see it as I remember it stayed for a very long time at the dealer. It was not perfect, but oozed tons of charisma. Unfortunately, even though the price was ridiculous compared to today's standards, I couldn't buy it at the time... I've always missed it since. In remembrance of this very car, I chose my daily driver in a very close colour!!!

 

Should be the same car!?

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#1120096 took also part in the Miura 45th anniversary tour.

http://www.italiansupercar.net/isc/components/com_mambospgm/spgm/gal/Supercars_Meeting/2011/Lamborghini_Miura_45th_Anniversary/020_LamborghiniMiura45thAnniversary_LamborghiniCountachLP400.jpg

 

Since the LP500 prototype was completely different to the later cars with its steel tub chassis etc it seems reasonable to suppose that they used anything available to construct it including Miura 15" Pirelli tyres.

The timings of the switch from Pirelli to Michelin are similar for both Urraco and Countach...

The Urraco pre-production cars shown at Turin 1970 [and Earls Court in 1971] had the 20 hole 14" proto wheels and Pirelli Cinturatos. In 1972 the production cars had the 15 hole 14" wheels with Michelin XWX 70 profile tyres.

The LP500 prototype shown at Geneva in 1971 had the 20 hole 15"? proto wheels and Pirelli Cinturatos. In 1973 the pre-production LP400 shown at Geneva, and then the production LP400s, had the 15 hole 14" wheels with Michelin XWX 70 profile tyres.

Only with the introduction of the P7 was the switch made back to Pirelli for Silhouette in 1976 and LP400S in 1978 both on 15" rims.

 

Great pic. Gorgeous...

 

Beautiful also.

 

FWIW according to wiki...

1964 CN72 rated HS
1969 CN36 rated HS
1971 CN12 rated W

 

Ahh! Thanks for the precision!

 

+1. If that's the car painted at Gary's place last summer, it's slightly altered from the factory marron. Well at least that's what the guy that sprayed it told me. This color looks fantastic in the flesh.

 

Hi Ivor

The earls court car werent the same pirellis used on the orange Geneva car which were CN36 pirellis. The LP500 concept was also equipped with xwx during the road development and at the final crash test at MIRA with the michelins. I've seen no evidence that L500 ever had 15inch wheels not to say it isn't a possibility

Urraco bob, test mule and bravo and the cheetah also had pirellis before the P118?
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I have not studied the various tyres on the show/pre-production cars and I bow to your knowledge. The point is that CN12 with W rating were available for Miura SV [and therefore may have been used on the initial LP500] but later better options and/or deals meant that Pirellis were in due course chosen for Urraco and LP400 on 14"rims.

I think the P7 were available as a commercial/road tyre from 1975 so for Bob and Bravo [1974] these were maybe rally tyres like Stratos. Don't know about Cheetah - ask Roy!!!! I will email you about test mule...

 

I am not a sceptic, anything is possible, but I would be interested to see the [unscientific] wheel diameter exercise done against the wheelbase rather than the overall length....