The Countach LP500 recreation thread

And a quite different rear suspension compared to the LP400 Countach. Looks similar to a Espada/Miura SV one schock suspension.
Very strange that MIRA could give a go for the Countach by chrashing the LP500 that had so little resemblance to the LP400 prototype both concerning chassis/body and suspension. The suspension of the production Countach was very similar to period formula 1 suspension.

L-E

 

Lamborghini likely told them the production LP400 they planned to build was the same as the LP500.

 

Then 2 different bodies? Or the yellow prototype body was modified and also painted? The crash car has several ducts and vents and a rocker seam and more like rear valance looks different. Crash car interior looks much lighter than the yellow prototype. Because this body and interior color is not looking like the prototype. Or is the interior gutted?

 

Also, is there a color photo of the crashed car?

 

It is not uncommon to repaint a car for crash testing, to allow for higher contrast in the photographs/camera footage.

Image Unavailable, Please Login


Interior indeed seems stripped, didn't the seats end up in LP400 #1 ?

 

Of course there is...
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Makes the mistakes on the re-creation even more unforgiveable

 

Crazy what pictures appear suddenly after 50 years, never seen this before!
BTW do you remark the difference of the lower wishbones of the LP500 compared to the LP400 production cars, which was then corrected with the LP400S ?

LP400Under6.jpg (1200×800) (autoarch.com)

 

The yellow LP500 prototype had a long and hard life, seeing a multitude of more or less ad-hoc modifications, such as the rear air intakes and the NACA ducts. It was painted red (wheels and all) for the crash test. The interior was stripped for the crash test, and the steering wheel rack underwent a separate structural test at MIRA. The seats of #1120001 (which predated the MIRA crash test by over a year) were new, the original seats from the yellow prototype were probably scrapped.

 

Yes

I mentioned that yesterday in post #126.

The LP500 has a completely different type of rear suspension compared to LP400, very similar to that of normal Lamborghinis like late Islero, Jarama, Espada and Miura SV. While the production Countach, LP400, has the easy and fast adjustable suspension like period formula 1 cars. You can find the same “thinking” on the DeTomaso Mangusta.

On the LP400S and onwards the lower wishbone was made like an H instead of a V to make it less affected of wear in the plastic connection rod ends used on the Countaches, which gave an incorrect toe-in on the wheels. Something the formula 1 cars didn’t suffer from as they like the Mangusta had steel lined uni-balls.

L-E

 

I don't claim to know enough about the LP500 to opine about the differences between the original prototype and the recreation. Clearly there are others on here that are far more experienced and knowledgeable on the topic, so I’ll leave the detailed examination to them. As much as I admire and appreciate the original beauty and form, I’m very grateful for the likes of Wolf, Wallace and the engineers and designers at the factory who evolved the sleek elegance of the LP500 into the aggressive brut of a car that I actually fell in love with as a boy.

 

Regarding the interior - I’ve often wondered what specific functions the space age colored lights serve. Does anyone know?

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

So, I'm assuming nobody has a clue what purpose these lights serve? Possibly they aren't even lights at all.

 

The early sketch of the LP500 interior shows that the original intention of the lights on the steering column would have been the rev-counter. Electronic instrumentation was still in its infancy and probably not ready in time for the prototype.

As per Marchet & Coltrin: the yellow light means small problems, the red light means big problems. The orange lights on the side glow up when exceeding a certain preset value on the instrument dial. You can see the extra needles on the analogue speedo and rev-counter behind. Most likely left is a kind of cruise control flashing when exceeding a certain speed & the right one an up-shift warning light, flashing when exceeding a certain RPM.

The blue, red and green buttons are just described as "electric switches".

 

Thank you for this detailed response. Wry interesting information. I wonder if they faithfully recreated these functions in the new car.

 

As nobody raises the interest...

IMO there are 2x duplicate, because the car displayed everywhere has this number # C*120002PS thus I presume there is a # C*120001PS standing somewhere else... don't you think ?


Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Very interesting observation. I wouldn’t be surprised if the factory made another for the museum. Frankly, I’d be more surprised if they didn’t.

 

Perhaps the original is the first and his is the 2nd

 

the original was not build by PS.... Polo Storico... thus forget that idea.

I think there is one for the factory to be used for the communication and events, that's 2 we all discovered at Villa d'este.... and there is one for Albert the 1... just logical paying attention at the fact Albert and Rita have not driven the car during Villa d'Este... it was only Luca Salvioli or Francesco of PS...

 

Best is you ask Albert...

 

Is there a windshield wiper vertical on the left in the picture?

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The blade is vertical on a pantograph unit, in the second image Wallace has added a 3rd external mirror on the door.

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Since the original car was numbered *C*120001*, it fits quite well.

 

For those who may be unaware, the LP500 recreation will be on display at Retromobile Paris. I can not wait to see it!

RETROMOBILE SHOW 2022 - Tribute to the Countach

 

Countach, at the wheel of a dream (pirelli.com)