Countach, the ultimate supercar

The irony of buying a Countach LP400 from Simon Kidston since he doesn't have a good opinion about them

 

It would be difficult to endorse a make/model/variant of car better than personal ownership characterized by frequent use, so please explain, what do you mean?

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Ownership with the purpose of investment is not a good example
and my opinion was settled after seeing him in some videos with the other investment, the green LP400.

 

I see the ownership of his cars as being much more than just for the purpose of investment, he comes from a renowned sports car-loving family, and he clearly loves classic & sports cars as he incorporates them into his everyday life. For example, he actually drives all his cars and uses them for the purpose of both work & personal pleasure. Conversely, many people who will claim that they do not own these type of cars for the purpose of investment, never or hardly ever drive them at all!

Anyway, I must have missed those videos with the green LP400, I'm curious, what exactly did he say that that caused you to conclude that he doesn't have a good opinion about the LP400?

 

i think he has 2 or 3 of them at the moment (green, viola and oro), considering they made 150 of them and he drives them quite often...i do not see him really not liking this model now

 

Indeed, now could be the operative word, sometimes if you try something often enough and give it a chance, you might realize you actually like it, and when that happens, it doesn't matter what you said in the past, people evolve.

FWIW I believe the Oro car is consigned to Kidston, the Verde car is sold, and the Viola car is the one in the collection, not that this really matters but I could always ask him for clarification.

 

I have spoken to him regarding LP400's and Countachs in general. He loves the LP400 which is why he owns one and has lavished so much on it. He is a great exponent of the model as confirmed over many years.

 

Considering what he spent on the green LP400 to purchase it via public auction and subsequently fully restore it, any LP400 owner should be thanking him for championing their cause.

 

Another from the Monaco F1 Grand Prix Countach Pace Car series organized by Nuova Lamborghini SpA CEO Patrick Mimran.

This image was taken on Sunday May 15th 1983 @ the Loews Hotel turn, image by Rainer Schlegelmilch

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I´m very sure you´re right with this statement.

 

I could not agree more.

 

Gorgeous unmolested Giallo 1982 LP500S in Spain

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My OC neighbor owns 1121052, I've known car & owner for @ 20 years, he has actually owned it for @ 32 years, original paint, original leather, wingless, sport exhaust, always meticulously maintained, this LP400S S1 speaks to me

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This could be the yellow pace car of Monaco 1982.

 

I absolutely love the telephone wheels!!! What a design!

 

That's a pretty striking machine. How are they to drive? Seems like they could make you feel claustrophobic?

 

It is Giallo/Nero

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If you easily get claustrophobic, then yes.

But think of it like piloting a Group C sports car, you're in a reclined position, a bit like you would be in a Formula car. The cockpit for two is actually quite wide, and the huge windscreen lets in a lot of light and allows for a lot of forward visibility, so in my case I don't feel claustrophobic at all.

It's really a question of fitting height-wise, and as you have seen discussed here, if you are tall you want a 5 liter.

To drive? If they are working as they should then it's insanely fun, the sound and the feel is unparalleled, it's like driving a race-car on the street, and perhaps this is why the race-car drivers who owned Countachs loved them. You need a firm hand and deliberate inputs elicit the best performance, if you know how to drive them they are a joy, great therapy. Of course, nothing is for everyone, but if you love Countachs it becomes an obsession, as you can see in some of these threads.

 

The only concern I really have is how the split side window feels and if the car has crazy blind spots?

 

Yes, that's the one! CLA12477

 

The side windows are not a big deal. Blind spots are big but smaller than a panel van. Just set up the side mirrors to check the blind spots and use the rear view mirror to see behind you. Then it is no big deal. For reversing sit on the sill. If you do that it is the easiest car ever to back up in.

Cheers Jim

 

Any mid-engined supercar of any make or model has blind-spots to a greater or lesser extent, you learn to operate the car safely despite them.

The split-side window is not an issue.

 

Right. The only issue is the perception. It is intimidating to those without seat time.

 

I suppose my 355 does not fall into "Supercar" status but it really has no blind spots. However, my Maserati GT, my DD, has horrible blind spots including the front A pillars as they are so wide

Make sense. Obviously the design did not afford enough room within the door to swallow the entire window.

 

Giving this question a little more thought, as a longtime Countach owner, I should say they are pretty awesome to drive as described above, most especially when you put into perspective what it is you are driving.

Consider that they are the coolest car with 4 wheels on the road bar none, they are the car that broke the mold when they were launched, they are the original ultimate supercar from which all others descend, they are the epitome the expression exotic car, they are the benchmark scissor-doors sports car that all others have sought to emulate, and, last but not least, as a certain journalist once said: there are faster or more expensive cars, but you could drive through life in a Countach and not notice them.