Countach, the ultimate supercar

1983/4 Turtlewax TV commercial featuring Barry Robinson's LP500S!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk7X7mRegf0[/ame]

 

In my quest to uncover some material on the Countach Downdraft, I came across an incredible 65-page detailed "Application for Certification" filed by Automobili Lamborghini SpA in 1975.

It has a wealth of information on every aspect of the car's technical status.

Basically, the Lamborghini factory implored the NTHSA to give them an exemption to allow the LP400 to be USA-certified (this was declined).

The factory even came up with a proposed front-end-rear bumper specification (page 14 seen below), and here we see this idea floated 10 years before it was actually used on the USA LP500S & QVs.

I have never seen any of this material prior nor knew it existed.
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Fantastic! Are you able to share more from this document? Preferably drawings or similar. Thanks in advance!

 

Kaare, its 65 pages and it'll be a major project to scan it all, I'll have to draft one of my sons or daughter to help! I'm involved in a few other projects right now but I promise in due course, as always, I'll get it done.

FWIW the papers were filed in 1975 by Ingegnere Marco Raimondi & Franco Baraldini (sound familiar?). The last few pages address the financial condition of Automobili Lamborghi SpA where they suggest that approval is vital for the company to remain solvent. The paints the picture that even in 1975, the company was in dire straits.

Here below is page 17 of 65, more later when I can.
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James A's beautiful LP400
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Hello Joe/All - she's no longer mine - gone to a good home in Melbourne. The new owner has got the car to complete original specifications - you can see the Sebring mirrors and correct rear reflectors. The car now has the original A arm suspension in the rear. In my opinion this is the best restored RHD LP400 anywhere

 

I won't disagree! Thanks for the clarification.

 

Wonderful car show if you love Italian style.
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Period Achilli Motors Ad featuring LP400
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Saw this 1990 Lamborghini Countach on autoTRADER.ca's iPhone app
1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary for $799,900 in Kirkland | autoTRADER.ca


No affiliation.

$799,900.00 CAD

 

Beautiful

 

130 Kilometers???? What a waste!!!!



Ron

 

December 1983, LP500S

In all 22,000+ posts, I don't think this one has been posted yet.
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Looks like the picture is from the annual Motorclassica in Melbourne.

 

Paris - La Défense - CNIT Sound & Hi-FI exhibition - 1982 :
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Spectacular!

 

Hi Joe,

What you missed to mention here, is that for this particular comparative test (I was involved in) - the superb white Countach S, delivered via a trailer by JB Automobiles (Ave Kleber - Paris) could simply not be tested and compared to the BB and the Porsche turbo...
When delivered on the test track, we were all sad to realize that - due to a major and unexpected / sudden engine management breakdown (that had not been solved in time for the tests) the car will stay "static" and will be only able to be used for the photo shoots...

Bruno

 

Oh la la...not bricks instead an engine, but just a technical problem...
Ben

 

I did not know that, great story!

 

Probably the same drawing as this one.
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That's it, not all the 65 pages are diagrams, probably 20 pages or so.

 

Maybe the only Countach that i would buy!

Blessed by Balboni: 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S Series III For Sale | Car Build Index

 

today, photo shooting for my book in preparation...
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Lovely shot!

 

December issue of the Dupont Registry is out.

Mike
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