Countach, the ultimate supercar

Thanks for posting Scott! Looks like you all had fantastic weather!!!!

Mike

 

That is beautiful! One day I would love to own a yellow LP400. Has anyone here, (probably Joe), driven an LP400 that can share their impressions/experience of the car?

 

Wonderful driving experience......
Handling feels a lot like an eighties Lotus Esprit, which is quite a complement for those in the know, but with tons more power. Very nimble and intimate. You really become one with the car more so than the later variants imo. Much more connected and intimate driving experience than that of the contemporary Ferraris and Maseratis, and vastly undervalued imo.

 

I saw the car at Antwerp Concours but lost the pictures I took that day.

There's a picture on the below link:
Pictures - 2007 Antwerp Concours - Byckhove, Wijnegem

 

I am the first one to say its something of a pig of a car but no pig, no bacon. There was nothing like it in its day and there is nothing like it now. If i don't drive it for a while i get a longing. Its just so mechanical and alive and the antithesis of anodyne moderns, and especially modern Ferraris and the like which, to keep the food analogy going, are akin to an expensive meal out when u wish u had stayed home and made the ultimate chop toad ( lamb chops in Yorkshire batter for u Americans and nothing to do with amphibians u assure u)

I am short, which helps, but i find it remarkably comfortable on the banana seat and have done lots of long distances in my car which i think few have done, and once accustomed to the slouched down position, it really is the perfect place to be. People are always asking me how u get in and i have to think, as over the years it has become automatic and fluid.

It is hard work to drive esp in traffic but on a cool crisp spring morning and whole drama of opening the door and getting in makes it such an occasion and then switching on and waiting for the carbs to fill with the clicking of the pump till the clicks slow and then that churning sound till all hell breaks loose.

Its like awakening a beast all raw power and emotion. I love the steering which is a lesson in feel and what an LP400 gives u is a sensory overload with the noise and feel and view of the road from so low down and it takes a while to master the heavy clutch and gear change ( u actually can feel the cogs mesh) but oh so satisfying as well as the brakes which do require a heavy foot but it all adds to something special and makes an outing an occasion.

I am lucky enough to own more modern supercars and older stuff but the Countach and esp the LP400 hits that sweet spot in a golden age of cars ( for me anyway) and although it can be difficult and wearying to drive, ( its hard work) when u are in the right mood, its heaven .

It is still fast even by today's standards but more importantly it feels fast and once u have got into a rhythm, which does require some concentration;( so u will battle if u are discussing with the wife why u have just bought another car, when u can ill afford it, as i recall some years ago) and the noise levels mean u get out and shout at everybody till your ears have re-set themselves , its does give u a thrill and level of accomplishment that no other car can. So years later u still remember the drive.

Incidentally there is a new book out on Lamborghini, 50 years of supercars, and James Mann took the shots and its really good with some great pics of my car and i think it comes out in October in the 'States .

 

Fantastic narrative - you've really captured the essence of driving and enjoying the early super cars! While I haven't yet had the opportunity to drive an LP400, I understand everything you have made mention of above and relish the experiences.

 

If you are not an author, you should be. That was a thrilling read and the best post in months. Thank you!

 

Best explanation ever, i have never driven the Lp 400, but i love my car for all the same reasons. I have driven lots of new Ferraris and Lamborghinis and so on , but they all came and vent,while the Countach is still there,

 

I could not tell this better than you.
fantastic write up

i feel the same with the LP400S....never driven an LP400 (but have been in few), but i really gets very similar feelings with the later 400S

 

This is exactly what I had hoped to hear. Thank you for sharing, guys! I think it's just such a beautiful car and nothing during that time period even comes close to looking as good. I can't imagine how Ferrari felt upon seeing what Lamborghini had unleashed!

 

Hi chaps, I got hold of the French photographer, Thibaut, who has sent me high res copies. Some as below. You can really see how stunning Pierre's navy blue car is. I am in love with this colour.
R
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I thought those were legitimate photos from the 80's when I first saw them, then I saw the modern car off to the side. Beautiful!

 

Thank you Joe. I am well thank you and regards to you.

I would like to say, as sometimes i don't think its appreciated , that i always enjoy the pics and info you ( and others) share on here and its an effort made for the good of all interested in lamborghinis esp the older models , and love the pics of the factory and period photos of cars in particular.

Thanks for the kind comments cnpapa,key03. Ellagirl,Emilio and you are most welcome Doc_k , I enjoyed writing it but do bash these out in a hurry so should spend more time on grammar, I know. Got some pics to post when i get round to it. Stephen

 

Hi Stephen, I'm still hoping we will see your car at next years Countach lunch. I suspect the location will be more northern than this year.

Keep well
Rob

 

Great historical picture Joe. There are a large amount of local people interested to keep the buildings and locale alive and well. For those interested, google Gueux Reims and have a look at the condition of the place some time ago. Somewhat in disrepair. I for one am grateful that effort is made to preserve history. If only this was the case for Brooklands and the old Monza banking. Imagine how awesome that would have been to retain these tracks in their totality.

For those that may know Pierre, Lambo club France secretary, what a top chap he is. very welcoming and put himself out to come and meet with us.

Rob

 

Didn't know he has a countach, last time If seen him he had the blue P250 urraco.
Indeed a very nice guy.

 

Fitting for page #1092
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More northern is good and i would be delighted to join you must say the lineup of Countachs at your inaugural event looked fantastic in the photos and i hope u all enjoyed the special occasion stephen

 

Over the years my car has given me so much pleasure I do feel a sense of gratitude to those who made it happen and built such a wonderful icon, in such difficult times and circumstances.

The grinding hours and hours of testing, has i think, imbued the car with Bobs DNA and the feed back you get from such an alive machine speaks to you, as much i think, as it did to him.

I am so pleased that the chassis sculpture is being set up on the roads near sant agata where he did his testing and i find the words on the plaque, I believe by Stanzani, are poignant and apt. I have had engraved the slightly fuller version of this tribute on a small silver plaque. Its a slightly clunky English translation which is somehow charming.

I do not normally like to mess with my cars and there really is no space for it, but i have chosen the best place i can and I will not pretend to be as fast or as good a driver as he was but i hope he enjoys the ride. Stephen
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