Discussion
My Countach was suffering from a bad dose of garagvitis, so I had to take her out for a run. I last drove her at the end of December and just warmed her through a few times since then.
It is amazing how garagvitis affects these cars so quickly especially in winter despite an insulated warm garage. Also going back in after so long, I am listening to every noise and feeling every movement to see if it is some problem. I always feel the same with old cars. If I am away on a trip and using them every day and jumping in and out of them they go sooooooooo much better.
Anyway, after about a 45-50 mile round trip to see a friend the car seems a lot happier. I will try and get her out tomorrow too for a run. One can imagine driving these when a break in traffic appears and just hitting 100-110 form 60 in apparently no time. Hypothetical of course in the UK. Theses are still seriously quick old cars.
As always it is nice that traffic in front generally simply pulls over to let you overtake so they see and hear the car. Wish they did that when I was driving my VW!
Paul
It is amazing how garagvitis affects these cars so quickly especially in winter despite an insulated warm garage. Also going back in after so long, I am listening to every noise and feeling every movement to see if it is some problem. I always feel the same with old cars. If I am away on a trip and using them every day and jumping in and out of them they go sooooooooo much better.
Anyway, after about a 45-50 mile round trip to see a friend the car seems a lot happier. I will try and get her out tomorrow too for a run. One can imagine driving these when a break in traffic appears and just hitting 100-110 form 60 in apparently no time. Hypothetical of course in the UK. Theses are still seriously quick old cars.
As always it is nice that traffic in front generally simply pulls over to let you overtake so they see and hear the car. Wish they did that when I was driving my VW!
Paul
Edited by paulqv on Sunday 23 February 10:03
I don't actually recall too much of those Mazdas! My initial thought before reading the full advert was that it was an old Toyota coupe! The one that revved sweetly to about 7000rpm but had no torque!It was late 70.s car.
My QV has been suffering badly from garagavitis as I have not had it out to play enough. The difference in jumping into it and starting it each day as compared to after a few weeks is amazing. First turn and starts. Every time I drive it I am still stunned by the performance. 120 without thinking too much. I need to take it out and give it a really good thrashing to get it back fully on song.
I always tell people that the essence of any Italian car is:
That it was designed by eccentrics to be driven by lunatics!
My QV has been suffering badly from garagavitis as I have not had it out to play enough. The difference in jumping into it and starting it each day as compared to after a few weeks is amazing. First turn and starts. Every time I drive it I am still stunned by the performance. 120 without thinking too much. I need to take it out and give it a really good thrashing to get it back fully on song.
I always tell people that the essence of any Italian car is:
That it was designed by eccentrics to be driven by lunatics!
If anyone wants my car for crazy money, make me an offer! there appears to be a massive disparity between actual prices for 'normal' cars and one off type cars. I put my toe in the water over selling all my cars due to health issues and what people think they want to buy for is quite different from offered selling prices. I appreciate the normal differences and needs of buyers and sellers, but think that those types of prices are very high. I can only hope normal cars go in that direction. May be a while away now! I think it depends on interest rates.
I have been out driving mine quite a bit in the past few weeks. Last nigh I brought it over to the house and the young kids who live nearby and were out playing in the street came over to see the car again. A wee girl aged 6-7 was very impressed by the car. She wanted to know if it cost a lot and a few other questions. Its nice that it has that reaction.
At the weekend I was showing my cars to some boys aged about 14 and their dad. The QV was their favourite by some margin! They always look pensive when I tell them it could be their car next, as all they need do is work save and buy one!
This weekend I am lending it and the Espada to the local Lambo dealer for a display of V12's for some event they have. I still believe that if we temporary curators of these old bangers, want to enjoy them, then a big part of that is letting others see them, hear them and understand the passion which we have for them.
At the weekend I was showing my cars to some boys aged about 14 and their dad. The QV was their favourite by some margin! They always look pensive when I tell them it could be their car next, as all they need do is work save and buy one!
This weekend I am lending it and the Espada to the local Lambo dealer for a display of V12's for some event they have. I still believe that if we temporary curators of these old bangers, want to enjoy them, then a big part of that is letting others see them, hear them and understand the passion which we have for them.
footsoldier said:
Big day tomorrow. Picking mine up from Mike Pullen after some minor fettling - although it's been there for a few months, which has let me get new garage built.
Then, my first drive in a Countach will be 450miles home...
Brilliant. I look forward to seeing the car!Then, my first drive in a Countach will be 450miles home...
have a safe drive up and watch for the cameras on the 74. All set at 8 exactly, just a throttle blip in a CT
magnidec said:
Hi Paul,
Just spotted your post. The white Countach B143 AHM used to be mine when in UK. If I can help with any history /info let me know. Hope the car is going well, I still miss her.
Cheers
In that photo you could only have scissors door lambs to get in and out of the carsJust spotted your post. The white Countach B143 AHM used to be mine when in UK. If I can help with any history /info let me know. Hope the car is going well, I still miss her.
Cheers
Adam B said:
anyone know the Five Star Countachs?
Two of the band had Countachs and came into the petrol station I was working in at the time in Sunningdale - one white, one dark blue I think, would have been 1987/88
All since sold on many times. A friend of mine had the candy apple blue one for a few years. It now lives in England. They had multiple reg plates over the years. However I think they all had the original colours, well the last time I asked about 6 years ago or possibly more. Two of the band had Countachs and came into the petrol station I was working in at the time in Sunningdale - one white, one dark blue I think, would have been 1987/88
Hello everyone!
I haven't posted much on here for a while.
On Saturday I was out for a drive in the new Huracan at the local dealer in Edinburgh. Mark, who posts on here came along with his new 400S Low Body and I had my QV DD We agreed to go for a drive in each others cars and had them sitting side to side for some time.
I have seen Marks car a few times before and parked near it at shows. I have never really had my car sitting right beside a Low Body and paid much attention to the differences between them.
Sat that way, the differences are marked and immediately obvious. There has been a lot written on here about the differences and photos published. Hence I won't say too much on the visuals.
Basically, the front bonnet line to the screen looks much lower and sleeker, and the roof at the screen dips more. The whole car looks 'flatter' and in my view better.
(first statement of that type for a QV owner! )
Driving wise the two cars are very different. I found the steering on the LB much lighter at all speeds. The ride seemed slightly better and his car was very composed at speed and corners. The gearbox was also the lightest and sweetesed on any CT that I had driven. I don't know if the synchro was beefed up for later cars?
The big difference was in the performance. Whist I am aware of the various claims about weight difference etc, all said and done it is an 4.0L engine with 2 valves. What BHP??? Well at that stage I think it is really anyones guess. A real 320bhp? The engine in the LB was sweet, revved, had a Ansa Sports exhaust so sounded awesome, but the performance difference was very obvious. Whilst the QV screams road to 7500rpm and pulls like a train from 4-5000rpm, the LB had a more relaxed pull. With a minimum 100bhp and possibly 130bhp + difference and a better breathing head, that would be expected anyway. Several owners who have driven my QV say it is a fast one for it's type. In short the QV is significantly faster.
I appreciate that all these cars are different to drive. Each has their own quirks strengths, weaknesses, as one would expect in hand build cars of some antiquity. Think how we have changed in 34 years! Cars change as well depending on many factors. That was not the difference here. The QV is simply much much faster.
The interiors of both our cars are those of a 'used' car. The loss of 2'' is noticeable in the LB. It had a black interior compared to my white interior, but even allowing for that, it felt more restricted in space. The lack of headroom is noticeable, but as I am only 5 11 not critical, although I struggle to wear a racing helmet in my QV, and doubt I could at all in the LB.
As always it is a pleasure to find an enthusiastic owner who just wants to drive his car. Perhaps Mark will give his perspective on driving the cars from a LB owners point of view.
We now have 6 CT's here in Gods chosen country, ( Scotland) and I am hoping to organise a video of the 6 together on the road fairly soon.
Remember, Italian cars are designed by eccentrics to be driven by lunatics.
Keep your end up!
Regards
Paul
I haven't posted much on here for a while.
On Saturday I was out for a drive in the new Huracan at the local dealer in Edinburgh. Mark, who posts on here came along with his new 400S Low Body and I had my QV DD We agreed to go for a drive in each others cars and had them sitting side to side for some time.
I have seen Marks car a few times before and parked near it at shows. I have never really had my car sitting right beside a Low Body and paid much attention to the differences between them.
Sat that way, the differences are marked and immediately obvious. There has been a lot written on here about the differences and photos published. Hence I won't say too much on the visuals.
Basically, the front bonnet line to the screen looks much lower and sleeker, and the roof at the screen dips more. The whole car looks 'flatter' and in my view better.
(first statement of that type for a QV owner! )
Driving wise the two cars are very different. I found the steering on the LB much lighter at all speeds. The ride seemed slightly better and his car was very composed at speed and corners. The gearbox was also the lightest and sweetesed on any CT that I had driven. I don't know if the synchro was beefed up for later cars?
The big difference was in the performance. Whist I am aware of the various claims about weight difference etc, all said and done it is an 4.0L engine with 2 valves. What BHP??? Well at that stage I think it is really anyones guess. A real 320bhp? The engine in the LB was sweet, revved, had a Ansa Sports exhaust so sounded awesome, but the performance difference was very obvious. Whilst the QV screams road to 7500rpm and pulls like a train from 4-5000rpm, the LB had a more relaxed pull. With a minimum 100bhp and possibly 130bhp + difference and a better breathing head, that would be expected anyway. Several owners who have driven my QV say it is a fast one for it's type. In short the QV is significantly faster.
I appreciate that all these cars are different to drive. Each has their own quirks strengths, weaknesses, as one would expect in hand build cars of some antiquity. Think how we have changed in 34 years! Cars change as well depending on many factors. That was not the difference here. The QV is simply much much faster.
The interiors of both our cars are those of a 'used' car. The loss of 2'' is noticeable in the LB. It had a black interior compared to my white interior, but even allowing for that, it felt more restricted in space. The lack of headroom is noticeable, but as I am only 5 11 not critical, although I struggle to wear a racing helmet in my QV, and doubt I could at all in the LB.
As always it is a pleasure to find an enthusiastic owner who just wants to drive his car. Perhaps Mark will give his perspective on driving the cars from a LB owners point of view.
We now have 6 CT's here in Gods chosen country, ( Scotland) and I am hoping to organise a video of the 6 together on the road fairly soon.
Remember, Italian cars are designed by eccentrics to be driven by lunatics.
Keep your end up!
Regards
Paul
Edited by paulqv on Thursday 28th August 22:50
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/tdN8zFlX.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/JmRBUjJE" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/JmRBUjJE.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/GcTgfvst" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/GcTgfvst.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/SwjMm7Gv" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/SwjMm7Gv.jpg)
I had a mate around today to see my cars. He has a 512BB and Ghibili SS among others. It was interesting to hear his views on my fleet of old bangers.
Like most people he was surprised as to how fast the QV is. I still think it is running a bit down in power and needs the distributor fettled a bit more. I think it is about 5-10% off, so its very fast not savagely fast!
I didn't realise the 512BB was about 330bhp according to him? Anyway, he felt it was much quicker, surprised how well the car rode, handled and braked. Like everyone, he loved the noise. As one old motoring journalist said in the 80's, it has 100bhp devoted to making noise!
It is always interesting to get a perspective on these cars from other classic car owners. We all have different tastes, but appreciate the differences!
Paul
Like most people he was surprised as to how fast the QV is. I still think it is running a bit down in power and needs the distributor fettled a bit more. I think it is about 5-10% off, so its very fast not savagely fast!
I didn't realise the 512BB was about 330bhp according to him? Anyway, he felt it was much quicker, surprised how well the car rode, handled and braked. Like everyone, he loved the noise. As one old motoring journalist said in the 80's, it has 100bhp devoted to making noise!
It is always interesting to get a perspective on these cars from other classic car owners. We all have different tastes, but appreciate the differences!
Paul
I have a Ferrari 328 GTS a Maserati Khamsin and the QV and Espada. Comparing the build quality is quite interesting. The Ferrari as was my previous ones has a much more 'mass produced' and therefore better fit and finish than the Lambos. The Maser has the best quality interior and materials, although feels more 'hand built'. The QV looks like a kit car!
I love the interior of the BB. I think it was one of the most evocative and classic interiors that Ferrari did.
As always just great to get another viewpoint on these cars.
I love the interior of the BB. I think it was one of the most evocative and classic interiors that Ferrari did.
As always just great to get another viewpoint on these cars.
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