This is not a 4-door Chevy (or even a BMW). Unless you have already done this kind of project and are "in the business", you probably have no idea what you're getting into there. Simply finding a machine shop that won't ruin your expensive parts can be a challenge. An old Lamborghini is "old school". These cars were built by a small company that did things differently than what most "shade tree mechanics" are familiar with. Written documentation is sketchy, frequently wrong and mostly in Italian. Virtually nothing you need will be available locally. Parts suppliers aren't likely to do much "hand holding" (it is up to you to decide if the parts they sent are right) and the well known professionals in this field (that have spent years amassing the necessary knowledge to do the job) won't likely be available for free to talk you through it either. While most parts are available, some are not and will have to be machined or fabricated in your shop or possibly purchased at retail from one of the specialists. Necessary special tools (when available) are priced like a rare piece of jewelry and usually don't come with any instructions. I have several drawers full of tools that I've built here over the years that aren't available at Sears or even SnapOn and if you don't have them you will either have trouble getting it done or will spend a lot of time and money engineering and making them yourself. Hiring out a restoration to a professional is an expensive undertaking but there are usually economies of scale in doing a large project in a shop that specializes in this work. This combined with a well thought-out game plan developed with someone who understands the scope of this type of project has a better chance of getting you a wonderful car to drive without completely blowing the budget and before you are too old to enjoy it.
Yes, but it is not always about not being upside down. I purchased the black "pawnshop S2 car" awhile back and will most certainly be upside down when restored. Most people I know that purchased 360s, 430s, Gallardos.....are upside down much further than you would be on this car. IF you could buy it for $60K and put $100K into the car you may never get $160K for it in the near future BUT I would much rather have this than any modern Lamborghini. Just my thoughts though. Brian
What Tim said ! I agree with you 100%. Parting the car out, is a different story. Brian No doubt, a few owners of late model cars, wish they had purchased an old car, instead of a brand-new shining car. It may take a while, before this car will bring close to a return on the cost of the restoration - assuming a cost of 60K for the donor car. You don't always have to use the brain, when buying a passionate sports car - I know. Hopefully, the mechanic is qualified to fix the car and is not learning from the owner's wallet.
Plus, upside down today in a beautifully restored car that is perfect, does not mean being upside down tomorrow...
i had the same thought how many spent serious money restoring a miura SV few years ago? once Brian will have finished his S2 in its nice rare original livery the car will may be worth more than 160k$ ....and even if it would be 120k$ ...thing that i doubt ...well i really think few cars in that range will be cool as a silver lowbody many people buy brand new gallardos and lost 60k$ in a year...i am more interested in taking the risk to lose some on a countach
we agree lose 20k$ and having a fresh restored LP400S to drive on sunny mornings may be well worth it
If you are a REAL enthusist and plan on keeping your car for "forever" and not flip it or look to sell it in a few years..........upside down is almost irrelevent. Plus if you do plan on keeping it "forever", you do not have to do everything at once. Problem I see often, guys send car out for resto, without it for a year or two, get it back, affraid to drive because they spent a fortune....then wind up selling the car. I can't even tell you how many dozens of guys do that.
Thought I would revive this old thread to show the end result. Took lots more time and lots more money than what was speculated in 2009 . . . Image Unavailable, Please Login
HAHA.. I was reading those earlier bits of conjecture of what it might cost to restore this car. "2NA" clearly offered the most wisdom.
"Plus, upside down today in a beautifully restored car that is perfect, does not mean being upside down tomorrow..." "If you are a REAL enthusist and plan on keeping your car for "forever" and not flip it or look to sell it in a few years..........upside down is almost irrelevant." Two great statements of wisdom from the past.
http://jordanshiraki.com/blog/countachdream Link to more pics with appropriate credit to the photographer. Kept the single distributor mod and a couple of further details to correct. Countach is always a work in progress with no clear end in sight.
Exactly, that has always been my thought in all the Lamborghini restorations I have done, and it has worked out quite well. Meanwhile what's more important is congratulations to you for going the distance and adding value.
No worries, restorations done right are not inexpensive, meanwhile it's great to join an ever-increasing number of Countachs worldwide that are being given the care they deserve. I saw these a while back, thanks for sharing here, you must be proud.
"No worries, restorations done right are not inexpensive, meanwhile it's great to join an ever-increasing number of Countachs worldwide that are being given the care they deserve." I agree whole heartedly. These cars are amazing and represent a time that we will never see again. It is up to all of us owners to restore and invest in our cars now. Memories are starting to get fuzzy, the parts are beginning to dry up and try finding someone who can really tune a carburetor much less 6! When the world is electric and quiet, I will leave my nursing home and fire up the beast shattering the silence and reminding all of a greatness and raw power of air, fuel and noise!
Hahaha, Oh man, I went back to the OP and got a little jealous Looks amazing! we need to see more and perhaps total cost?
I paid one and a half to two times the value of my Countach to restore it. At the time most would have thought it crazy but the value caught up. These cars are going only up. Look at the thread count of these sites. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
