The Countach 101

I think you might get a 'fixer-upper' LP400S S3, or LP500S.

 

With that kind of budget, I would buy a mint 5-10,000 mile un-hit stock 2004-05 GT3


Even better, I would buy at about the top of the budget, and grab an awesome un-hit stock 2002-03 GT2.


With a nice low mile GT2, you will not loose all that much money, at the time of resale.








I would not buy an entry-level Countach or Testarossa, at the very bottom level. If you want either of those cars, buy the best mechanical and cosmetic car available.

 

A "fixer-upper" is a really good way to go way under water in a hurry.

 

Try and skim the huge Countach thread for more info as the answers to all your questions are there. The Countach varies a lot in its production range so you may want to decide which one you like first and then see what they are worth. I for instance would not take an Anniversary car for free while an LP400 gets my blood racing.

As for values the NADA and most published generic guides are so far off when it comes the Countach that they do not have the slightest value to the prospective buyer.

Lastly unless you are a very skilled DIY'er and value your time at nothing then run from the project Countach. Even the simplest job is 10x more time consuming than on most cars and the parts prices can bring you to your knees. The service cost reputation of these cars should be heeded and is not for the faint of heart.

If you choose to pursue a Countach best of luck with it. It is as exotic as it comes.

 

LP400------------85K-130K + 250K
LP400S S1--------80K-120K + 140K

 

A couple of comments. First of all, I don't know all countach numbers but I can tell you the lp400 is WAAAAAAAAAAY off:

LP400------------85K-130K
LP400S S1--------80K-120K
LP400S S2--------60K-100K
LP5000S----------70K-90K
Downdraft QV-----90K-130K
Injected QV-------65K-85K
Anniversary-------65K-85K

Maybe triple that. (seriously)

Ok, next step. If you can do your own work, you're way ahead of the game. If you can find a car that is crashed, and you're really, really good, you can get into countachs "cheap" because they are really difficult to fix. A lot of folks won't even try, depending on condition.

But, if you haven't already rebuilt dozens of cars, I can guarantee you you're not ready to restore a countach. Really, you have to be good.

So there are lots of angles to this. First, I don't know where you got your numbers but I'm just guessing your lp400 range should be closer to $200k-$500k+

And if you do your own work, by now you should have a dedicated shop (ie: your own) where you can bring the car in and have all the welding equipments, metal fab, et al stuff ready to go. That's what I mean when I say "restore a wreck" yourself.

And I'd probably start with an espada engine rebuild first, just so you know what you're getting into.

This is not a subject for the faint of heart. MOST countachs are sitting in a garage somewhere with 13,000 miles on them because the owner simply ran out of money or whatever when the car finally gave up trying, most likely because of bad maintenance.

The countach equation is by far the most interesting in my book, because I'd love to have one, and they are available. But you really need to sort of "redirect your life" if you want to do the work on them yourself. And if you want somebody else to do the work, honestly, you need to find the right guy, and if he's at all good he's going to have to charge you an arm and a leg. You better have that to pay to get the job done right. (too many lawsuits out there over poor workmanship on a countach -- not worth cutting corners there)

Good luck!

Fred

 

there you go. "reality check time"



Fred

 

You state that these are numbers you have been able to "ascertain". Ascertain from where, or whom? I would like to respectfully suggest that you haven't ascertained anything if it is incorrect.

I suggest that whatever or whomever your source is, it is not credible, especially since you have clarified that you are not talking about a "full restoration project".

As someone who operates within this very market, I also suggest that NONE of the aforementioned numbers have any bearing on reality in the marketplace.

Triple the LP400 numbers/add $250k to the LP400 numbers.
Add $150k to the S1 numbers.
Add $100k to the S2 numbers.
Add $75k to the LP500S numbers.
Add $50k to the DD QV numbers.
Add $50k to the injected QV numbers.
Add $75k to the Anniversary numbers.
__________________

 

Most published numbers from large car guides, are all but worthless.

 

Agreed!

 

If you are really serious about Countach 101 as it relates to educating yourself about the model, please read this thread from start to finish.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163765

It is 306 pages long. By the time you have finished, you will be pretty knowledgeable. Not experienced (that takes actual ownership over a period of time), but knowledgeable about the Countach, its market, the various variants etc etc.

I cannot think of a better source on earth to educate you about the Countach. Go for it.

 

Your numbers and the "Ascertained" numbers now make the bravo wheels worth $70,000.00. That's more than what many paid for a complete Countach, so spin them carefully men.

 

Here in the car biz we use a phrase that goes something like 'The books don't write the checks'

 

fyi, my former downdraft Countach was a no expense spared, do everything restoration taken place 6 years ago by George Evans and company and the receipts for the quality work done was a cool $93K on a tired car (ha - a whopping 16K KM), not one that was wrecked or trashed....

ps, fwiw, the current owner is a F-chat member and really awesome guy and collector who just doesn't like all the mob mentality around here or I am sure he would share the details if anyone wanted...

 

ps...this kinda quality...fuuuuu, I miss that car
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The nada certainly helped me. The clerk insisted on using that value, which was 70k at that time. Saved me almost 2k by her insisting .

 

I'll take two please.

-mick

 

In the 3rd picture I think the diamond plate RT rear 1/4 is incorrect.

Love that Countach!!

 

is that some shiny paint or what??? (diamond plate reflection )

MUCH better paint/finish than factory, I guess the purists would argue original (but flawed for sure) 'patina' is best, but nothing like show quality paint!

 

Fantastic story. Thanks for sharing!

 

How much of the 93K was labor? and how long did evans automotive have the car for the work?

 

A few long-term owners who still have the same car may have paid less than $70k. But not "many".

Either way this suggestion does not assist the OP whose question simply contemplates current market as of 2010.