Discussion
I've been enjoying this thread since it started, as the Countach has always been a fantasy car of mine, so thank you for keeping the thread up to date. In 1989 (I think!) I went to a "Supercar Day" at Castle Combe. I stumbled across the photos the other day and thought you might like to see the Countachs that I managed to snap. Apologies in advance for the hairstyles and fashion horrors!
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
It was indeed an interesting afternoon Paul! (I checked- the BB is 340bhp).
I was really taken by the differences between the BB and the Countach. Considering they are portrayed as period rivals, they are very different. I would say the BB has a much more compliant "GT" ride and the quality of the fit and finish,especially to the interior, is probably a little better, as is visibility of course. The BB's controls are similarly stiff and heavy.
However....a QV Countach would definitely leave a BB in its wake on a run. It feels much more brutal and powerful and has a much stiffer and more planted feel. It was a real event to be in that car today - very few other cars make it such an occasion.
I was also lucky enough to drive the Huracan on that event last week and it was incredibly capable - but the goosebumps were more pronounced today.
Many thanks Paul
I was really taken by the differences between the BB and the Countach. Considering they are portrayed as period rivals, they are very different. I would say the BB has a much more compliant "GT" ride and the quality of the fit and finish,especially to the interior, is probably a little better, as is visibility of course. The BB's controls are similarly stiff and heavy.
However....a QV Countach would definitely leave a BB in its wake on a run. It feels much more brutal and powerful and has a much stiffer and more planted feel. It was a real event to be in that car today - very few other cars make it such an occasion.
I was also lucky enough to drive the Huracan on that event last week and it was incredibly capable - but the goosebumps were more pronounced today.
Many thanks 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.
RicksAlfas said:
I've been enjoying this thread since it started, as the Countach has always been a fantasy car of mine, so thank you for keeping the thread up to date. In 1989 (I think!) I went to a "Supercar Day" at Castle Combe. I stumbled across the photos the other day and thought you might like to see the Countachs that I managed to snap. Apologies in advance for the hairstyles and fashion horrors!
Has also been a fantasy car of mine since the early 80s and I missed the opportunity to buy a LP400S in the 90s which I much regret.So fantastic pics, especially the last two pics of the deep purple LP400 S, reg number 653 RU, owned by Mike Pullen of Carrera Sport in Haywoods Heath, West Sussex who knows the Countach inside out.
Incidentally, do you have any high resolution pics of 653 that you could email me?
EDIT: Corrected address - is West Sussex NOT East!
Edited by rich888 on Tuesday 2nd September 21:34
Nice short film. Apart from the narrator telling us that the wing cured wayward handling!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DE8z0foFSwE
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DE8z0foFSwE
paulqv said:
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
The newer Countachs may well be more powerful and faster, but I do remember attending one of the Supercar Test Days in Goodwood in the late 1980s when a guy in one of the newer 5 litre Countach's (can't remember if it was an S or QV) challenged Mike Pullen in his low body 4 litre Countach S, to a competitive race around the circuit. They both accelerated away from the starting line with the newer car in front, but after a few laps Mike's purple Countach took the lead. I recollect that the newer car spun off on one of the corners after being overtaken I think on the inside. Can anyone else fill in a little more detail over this?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
Having said that, Mike Pullen (who was the organiser of the event) knew this car and Goodwood circuit extremely well, plus his Countach was probably one of the best set up cars in the country bar none. He also thrashed around the circuit in a black Porsche 911 which was equally well set up. Clocking up fast lap times isn't just down to pure horsepower and grip, the skill of the driver also comes into the equation.
My own personal preference is for either an early low body 400 S Countach or one of the newer 88.5 models which came out just before the Anniversary range. Unfortunately I missed my opportunity to buy one not once but twice in the past, so will forever be kicking myself now that they are well outside my price range.
Can I just say that I've not seen a Countach in the flesh for many years now, so really do appreciate seeing photographs on PistonHeads, and the occasional video on YouTube, together with owner write-ups of these legendary supercars. So thank you to everyone that is contributing to this thread.
Edited by rich888 on Saturday 20th September 22:42 - typo errors!
Edited by rich888 on Saturday 20th September 22:43
ro55a said:
Nice short film. Apart from the narrator telling us that the wing cured wayward handling!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DE8z0foFSwE
Mike is quite handy behind the wheel and as you correctly point out organised the event and knew the circuit. The qv could really only pull away on an open fast circuit. I think the black 911 belonged to his mechanic Paul? It was stripped out and bloody quick if it is the same car I recall? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DE8z0foFSwE
It is great getting out and using any old car. They go so much better with very regular use. If I go a long trip south within a couple of days the car behaves very differently.
What was your v max on the race the runeay
I don't know officially but it was showing around 140-150 ish
On board footage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1_5SFVqe48&sns...
On board footage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1_5SFVqe48&sns...
NEFOC said:
I don't know officially but it was showing around 140-150 ish
On board footage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1_5SFVqe48&sns...
Cracking video. You lot caused chaos at the local petrol stations later in the afternoon On board footage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1_5SFVqe48&sns...
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