Countach, the ultimate supercar

4100 L. was also on the one of the various drawings ortho graphic drawing which weren't real blueprints. So which one is the correct length? Wheels were stated as both 14 and 15 also.

 

I have found 4100 mm in more sources that I have found 4010 mm in, so I think 4100 mm is correct. As for the wheels, it's possible that they're 14 inch, based on my latest unscientific measurements. I used the wheel nut diameter as a basis to further establish the dimension of the LP500's wheels.

These are my findings (measuring wheel nut diameter - est. tire edge inner diameter - rim outer diameter):

LP400: 56 px - 160 px - 179 px equals 120 mm - 343 mm (13.5 in) - 384 mm (15.1 in)

LP500 a: 120 px - 340 px - 389 px equals 120 mm - 340 mm (13.4 in) - 389 mm (15.3 in)
LP500 b: 191 px - 536 px - 620 px equals 120 mm - 337 mm (13.3 in) - 390 mm (15.4 in)

As can be expected, there are some discrepancies, but it would appear that the LP500's wheels were actually 14 inches.
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hey this pretty interesting. much better than using the overall length were camera distortion takes effect and especially when we arent exactly certain what over length is!

of course this is still not definitive using photos but the bolt circle is quite brilliant for what I reckon all the 5 lug the pre-audi cars outside of the LM are 120mm.

 

I agree and have always thought that the actual sample in hand is by far the most preferred method of color-matching.

The point I have been making is that images are important too, when referencing a car's original color, especially in the absence of a good & clear actual sample.

Yes, I agree, in general, I am a very persistent person.

 

I'm confused, doesn't this support the thought that the LP500's wheels were 15 inches?

 

1120192 as sold by Joe Sackey Classics LLC, complete with 14" wheels!
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LP400 15.1 OD
LP500 15.3 15.4OD

Wheel size are taken at the bead or flange intersection and not the overall diameter. In order for it to be a 15 wheel the OD measurements should be greater than 16"

This is still unscientific as mentioned but interesting never the less

 

Got it!

 

other italian mg wheels for size reference

a campy gta 14x7 inch wheel is 390mm or 15.35 OD
a mg stratos 15x12 wheel is 422mm or 16.61 OD

but still not concrete proof that the LP500 concept was 14 or 15

 

Might I suggest that a 14" Urraco or Countach wheel is checked by the same [pixel] method? The result will be known to be for a 14" rim.....QED. Sorry to volunteer others for this crucial work!!

 

I see what you did there

 

huh???? scroll up to forza Kaare's post...

 

Thanks -- the master cylinder reservoir does not look original on the 400S or the 5000, is that correct?

Also what is the correct color of the master cylinder and the slave cylinder, does anybody know?

 

Oops didn't see that..but it occurs to me that doing the same for a Miura 15" wheel might yield interesting results.

Meanwhile I have measured a 15" Silhouette rim and tyre. The diameter of the rim is 415mm or 16 5/16th and internal diameter of the tyre is 380mm or 15"...

I have asked an Urraco owner to measure the diameter of a 14" wheel and await a reply...

 

Miura may be a challenge since it has center locks

 

Enjoy
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Mark's LP400S S2 spotted in Edinburgh
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Only a hunch, but, wouldn't they have gone from 20 spokes on the LP500 down to 15 spokes on the LP because (among other things) the wheel size was smaller? Just a thought.
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Peter K has 20 hole prototype wheels on his Urraco 15006 - those are 14" just like the production wheels...

 

The more I look at period images, the ground clearance, the size of the wheels relative to people and relative to the car's body etc, the more I'm convinced of 15".

My neighbor was retired GM designer Ed Taylor who personally owned the ex-General Motors Miura P400. He was nicknamed "0.2 Ed" at GM because he could tell 0.2 of an inch just by looking. He had that good eye for perspective and dimension, that some people have. I think I am not-so-bad myself.
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Well, forget that theory then!

 

For me this is what makes it seem likely that the LP500 had 14" wheels - but anything is possible...perhaps the tyres are of a larger profile on the LP500 than 70. On Kaare's alternating image the wheels appear to be the same size [put a finger on the screen to see] yet the tyres look smaller on the LP400...

 

Clearly ,your neighbor ,with his eagle eyes, had nothing to do with G M s door gaps in the 60 s

 

Nothing. He did design & executed prototypes, the rest was up to the production team!

 

I haven't been to Edinburgh since I was 6! I did see this car on Youtube not too long ago. Very beautiful!