Countach LP400 Vintage Photos | Page 4 | FerrariChat

Countach LP400 Vintage Photos

Discussion in 'LamborghiniChat.com' started by Lambocars666, Jul 14, 2016.

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  1. Lambocars666

    Lambocars666 Formula Junior

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    #76 Lambocars666, Feb 24, 2017
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  2. Lambocars666

    Lambocars666 Formula Junior

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    #77 Lambocars666, Feb 25, 2017
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  3. Lambocars666

    Lambocars666 Formula Junior

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    #78 Lambocars666, Feb 25, 2017
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  4. Lambocars666

    Lambocars666 Formula Junior

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    #79 Lambocars666, Feb 26, 2017
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  5. Lambocars666

    Lambocars666 Formula Junior

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    #80 Lambocars666, Feb 26, 2017
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  6. hashiriya

    hashiriya Formula Junior

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    #81 hashiriya, Feb 27, 2017
    Wild times for Japan! :D
     
  7. Lambocars666

    Lambocars666 Formula Junior

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    #82 Lambocars666, Mar 2, 2017
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    Yes! ;)
    During the mid-1970s, several pieces of land were bought by the Japanese government from farmers to increase the size of cities. Hundreds of people suddenly became millionaires.
    The trend was then to own the best super-cars. You would find dozens and dozens of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porsche... imported from any car-dealer or owners from any country to Japan!
    The climax of the so-called "Supercar Boom" was in summer 1977 with lots of car shows and exhibitions organized by Japanese dealers. Some cars would change ownership several times the same year!
    I counted at least 37 LP400 imported in Japan between 1974 and 1977 + only 1 LP400S in 1978... before the Countach became somewhat illegal (to import or register new cars, still allowed to drive those already registered there).
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  8. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #83 joe sackey, Mar 2, 2017
    I should add that part of the reason for the Supercar boom was general economic prosperity in Japan in the mid-70s onwards (these cars were not all being bought by lucky farmers!) and coverage of Supercars by the magazine media worldwide.

    I can also add that there is no place where our beloved Countach suffered more humiliation & embarrassment in the form of sheer automotive vandalism (read: poorly-executed modifications) than the Land of the Rising Sun as some of your images show, and the vast majority of Countachs exported from there are restoration projects.
     
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  9. Lambocars666

    Lambocars666 Formula Junior

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    #84 Lambocars666, Mar 2, 2017
    Absolutely!
     
  10. Lambocars666

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    #85 Lambocars666, Mar 2, 2017
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    "I've seen things... terrible things..."
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  11. Lambocars666

    Lambocars666 Formula Junior

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    #86 Lambocars666, Mar 2, 2017
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  12. mt_jt

    mt_jt Formula Junior

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    #87 mt_jt, Mar 2, 2017
    Some of those shots make the black and white pinstriped "LP500R" look positively classy!
    I couldn't think of anything worse than having a legit Countach and it still looking like a kit car.
     
  13. Lambocars666

    Lambocars666 Formula Junior

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    #88 Lambocars666, Mar 2, 2017
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    Definitely!
    I actually love that car, originally nicknamed "Countach GT" before "LP500R".
    But that was not a Japanese-made mod. This special Countach was already looking this way before coming to Japan.

    The LP400 #1120144 was originally ordered 'Rosso Corsa' with white interior in late-summer 1975 to Germany.
    After 4 decades we still don't know who modified it and where. Famous German Lambo dealer Hubert Hahne denied any link with this particular Countach, though having similarities with the Miura "Jota SVR" #3781 that he had made for Mr. Heinz Steber. That doesn't mean this Countach GT was not owned by the same man... but we can't assume ownership only from a person's nationality and BBS wheels on his car.

    Somewhere in my archives at home, I have a photo taken in Sant'Agata circa 1976 showing #1120144 already modified. I'll share it later this year.

    Here are some beautiful shots of that incredible car when already in Japan circa 1977.
    Note: the BBS wheels were originally black before repainted Gold and the fog lamps used to be standard-white before replaced by yellow units that same year.
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  14. ian copley

    ian copley Rookie

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    #89 ian copley, Mar 3, 2017
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  15. Marcello

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    #90 Marcello, Mar 3, 2017
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    Thanks for sharing Ian! I think this is exactly what this thread was made for by Victor: Trying to find unknown LP400 pictures never published before ;-)
    Pretty sure Victor will be able to identify that one...do you remember if it was LHD or RHD?
    Looks like LHD?

    It looks a lot like #1120168...

    Best regards,
    Marcel
     
  16. Lambocars666

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    #91 Lambocars666, Mar 3, 2017
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    Oh yes!! Finally!! :)
    I've been looking for those photos for so long. Thank you very much, Ian.

    It is #1120040, the 20th production LP400, painted yellow 'Giallo Fly' with 'Tabacco' interior.
    Delivered late December 1974 to Lebanon then sold to Abu Dhabi, I knew it was in the UK at this time (said to be crashed and rebuilt at Maltin's) with those Abu Dhabi plates [20002].
    This Countach later found its way to the USA where it spent most of its life, and is now in Japan perfectly restored.

    Do you have more photos, Ian?
    Its twin-sister LP400 #1120062 was possibly in the UK at that time too, wearing Saudi plates.
    And there was even a third yellow LP400 from the Middle-East, with black interior, #1120216 also with Saudi plates. That one below:
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  17. raymondQV

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    #92 raymondQV, Mar 4, 2017
  18. mt_jt

    mt_jt Formula Junior

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    #93 mt_jt, Mar 4, 2017
    Ok I'll admit it doesn't look nearly as bad as some. That early roof mounted wing thing I've seen on a couple of cars (including the first Walter Wolf LP400 and the so called Miura "Jota SVR") is by far the biggest uglifier in all of Lamborghinidom, or atleast it's right up there with those hideous US spec front bumpers of later Countach versions.
    Regardless, it's always fascinating to read about the history of these cars as they all seem to have a story attached to their history, for better or worse.
    Thanks for the info Victor.
     
  19. ian copley

    ian copley Rookie

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    #94 ian copley, Mar 5, 2017
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    Do you have more photos, Ian?

    Photos of an LP 400 for sale in Maltin CC showroom, about 12 months after the Abu Dhabi registered car was photographed at the rear workshop.

    I have always assumed to be the same car.

    A further LHD LP400 appeared for sale at Maltin CC (photo attached) some months later.

    Apologies for the orientation of the photos.
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  20. Olivier NAMECHE

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    #95 Olivier NAMECHE, Mar 5, 2017
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  21. Olivier NAMECHE

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    #96 Olivier NAMECHE, Mar 5, 2017
    #112.0176 in Belgium end of '80s, belonging to Mr. Jorion another great Belgian enthusiast...
     
  22. Olivier NAMECHE

    Olivier NAMECHE F1 Veteran

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    #97 Olivier NAMECHE, Mar 5, 2017
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  23. Olivier NAMECHE

    Olivier NAMECHE F1 Veteran

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    #98 Olivier NAMECHE, Mar 5, 2017
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  24. raymondQV

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    #99 raymondQV, Mar 5, 2017
    Nice Picture, but in the wrong thread :)
     
  25. BBoyJmE

    BBoyJmE Formula Junior

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    #100 BBoyJmE, Mar 5, 2017
    I've said it before and I've caught flak for it... but the Japanese REALLY ruin exotics.. Especially Murcielagos onwards, but very interesting to see this runs back all the way to the Countach... :\
     
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