Hiring a Countach LP400?
Discussion
You'll be lucky! There's probably only about 10 in the UK. You've got great taste though
I nearly bought one three years ago - it was the yellow one with black interior that was in a few magazines back in the early 90s (I think it might have been on Top Gear on TV too).
It was in fantastic condition, at least cosmetically, having been completely restored around 1990. I fell in love with it at first sight (I've never felt that way about any other object). The guy selling it was in Jamiroquai (not JK).
But then I drove it, and I decided not to buy it. For one thing, there was a rather unpleasant noise coming from the gearbox. Also the throttle action was very jerky (a design problem, apparently). The steering was nothing special, and it didn't sound all that great from inside. Trouble was, I only got to drive it around Richmond. And it broke down on the test drive.
Other problems were tyre availability, and the safety angle. I mean, the fuel tanks are in the sills, and if you roll it, the only way to get out is through the windscreen.
It wasn't nearly as impractical as a lot of people make out though. I'm only 5'7", so I fitted in OK, and the clutch and gearchange weren't heavy.
Sometimes I still regret not buying it. It would have been quite an experience.
The LP500QV is probably the best one to go for. They look OK without the rear wing (I guess you can remove them), and I believe the car was really developed with P7 tyres in mind.
You might want to look here:
www.lamborghiniregistry.com/Countach/CountachLP400/LP400Registry.html
I nearly bought one three years ago - it was the yellow one with black interior that was in a few magazines back in the early 90s (I think it might have been on Top Gear on TV too).
It was in fantastic condition, at least cosmetically, having been completely restored around 1990. I fell in love with it at first sight (I've never felt that way about any other object). The guy selling it was in Jamiroquai (not JK).
But then I drove it, and I decided not to buy it. For one thing, there was a rather unpleasant noise coming from the gearbox. Also the throttle action was very jerky (a design problem, apparently). The steering was nothing special, and it didn't sound all that great from inside. Trouble was, I only got to drive it around Richmond. And it broke down on the test drive.
Other problems were tyre availability, and the safety angle. I mean, the fuel tanks are in the sills, and if you roll it, the only way to get out is through the windscreen.
It wasn't nearly as impractical as a lot of people make out though. I'm only 5'7", so I fitted in OK, and the clutch and gearchange weren't heavy.
Sometimes I still regret not buying it. It would have been quite an experience.
The LP500QV is probably the best one to go for. They look OK without the rear wing (I guess you can remove them), and I believe the car was really developed with P7 tyres in mind.
You might want to look here:
www.lamborghiniregistry.com/Countach/CountachLP400/LP400Registry.html
Driver - how much did it go for in the end?
There are about 3 or 4 for sale in the world at the moment, it would seem. Price ranges are quite wide - cheapest I saw was in Sweden for circa £70k.
Interstingly, it would appear that the same cars have been for sale for some time - limited market I suppose, but absolutely beautiful cars.
I guess your exerience is like that of anyone who's driven a Miura or early Countach - the reality is different from the dream, but what a dream!
There are about 3 or 4 for sale in the world at the moment, it would seem. Price ranges are quite wide - cheapest I saw was in Sweden for circa £70k.
Interstingly, it would appear that the same cars have been for sale for some time - limited market I suppose, but absolutely beautiful cars.
I guess your exerience is like that of anyone who's driven a Miura or early Countach - the reality is different from the dream, but what a dream!
I first saw one at the last Earls Court motor show in the early 70s. I just stood in front of it for hours.
I covered my bedroom walls with pictures including one I painted myself about 6'x4'. Read all the reviews, especially the classic Mel Nichols "Convoy". I've seen a few since then, but never got inside one.
While I got as excited as everyone else about the S when it came out with its huge 345/35 P7s, what it gained in ability it lost in looks.
I've told the Classic Car Club that they can stop sending me joining information until they get hold of one, and they have -- stopped sending me the info, that is!
So I live in hope. Thanks, all!
I covered my bedroom walls with pictures including one I painted myself about 6'x4'. Read all the reviews, especially the classic Mel Nichols "Convoy". I've seen a few since then, but never got inside one.
While I got as excited as everyone else about the S when it came out with its huge 345/35 P7s, what it gained in ability it lost in looks.
I've told the Classic Car Club that they can stop sending me joining information until they get hold of one, and they have -- stopped sending me the info, that is!
So I live in hope. Thanks, all!
driver said:
You might want to look here:
www.lamborghiniregistry.com/Countach/CountachLP400/LP400Registry.html
Thanks for the pointer. I had this a while ago but lost the link when switching PCs so it's good to have it back.
I don't know what it sold for, but they were asking £36,000.
I prefer the looks of the LP400 to the S, but the S looks nearly as good, as long as you loose the rear wing. The S wheels are really nice...
The LP400 shape isn't that pure, if you compare it to the prototype LP500. The air intakes that stick up behind the side windows look a bit ugly, especially when you see it 'in the flesh'. Also on the LP400 the tyres don't fill out the wheel-arches like they do on the LP500 prototype.
It's a shame the production car wasn't more like the prototype. It was supposedly destroyed in crash testing at MIRA, but I wonder if it really was sent to the crusher. Could it be stored in a lock up garage somewhere?
I prefer the looks of the LP400 to the S, but the S looks nearly as good, as long as you loose the rear wing. The S wheels are really nice...
The LP400 shape isn't that pure, if you compare it to the prototype LP500. The air intakes that stick up behind the side windows look a bit ugly, especially when you see it 'in the flesh'. Also on the LP400 the tyres don't fill out the wheel-arches like they do on the LP500 prototype.
It's a shame the production car wasn't more like the prototype. It was supposedly destroyed in crash testing at MIRA, but I wonder if it really was sent to the crusher. Could it be stored in a lock up garage somewhere?
The yellow LP400 was sold for £33000 by Garage on the Green to some speculator who was going to store it away in a barn - what a shame!
I regret not having bought it when I saw it but had just sold a QV and therefore didn't want another Countach. Garage on the Green had a yellow Diablo which proved just too tempting.
The Countach is a great car and with the right exhaust sounds amazing. Room is actually better than the Diablo (I'm 6' and my brother 6'4" and we had no problems).
I regret not having bought it when I saw it but had just sold a QV and therefore didn't want another Countach. Garage on the Green had a yellow Diablo which proved just too tempting.
The Countach is a great car and with the right exhaust sounds amazing. Room is actually better than the Diablo (I'm 6' and my brother 6'4" and we had no problems).
A couple variations for sale here.
www.carclassic.com/html/LAMBOCOUNTACH.htm
I found this website years ago and it's a great place to dream....
Also some good spec details on most models of cars, rare and common.
There's a couple Diablo GT's I'm considering robbing a bank for
T.
www.carclassic.com/html/LAMBOCOUNTACH.htm
I found this website years ago and it's a great place to dream....
Also some good spec details on most models of cars, rare and common.
There's a couple Diablo GT's I'm considering robbing a bank for
T.
Yes, Garage on the Green was where I saw it. At the price it was a good buy, but having driven it I just fell out of love with it.
I can't see that anyone's going to make money out of owning a car like that. It will just hold its value (whatever that is), assuming it's maintained properly. If it's not maintained properly it'll deteriorate and need to be restored, and you'd never recoup the cost.
I don't think the late 80s are coming back anytime soon.
By the way, when I said the QVs look good, I was forgetting that some of them came with Anniversary-type intakes...
I can't see that anyone's going to make money out of owning a car like that. It will just hold its value (whatever that is), assuming it's maintained properly. If it's not maintained properly it'll deteriorate and need to be restored, and you'd never recoup the cost.
I don't think the late 80s are coming back anytime soon.
By the way, when I said the QVs look good, I was forgetting that some of them came with Anniversary-type intakes...
Driver - that's the same with any classic car (even a supercar) though isn't it? Which is good news as it keeps the speculators out. Ergo the people that buy these cars buy them for their looks or dynamic abilities or combination of both.
Find me an LP400 for £30k and I'll bite your hand off and if you find me a Miura for that money I'll have one of those as well just to keep it company
Find me an LP400 for £30k and I'll bite your hand off and if you find me a Miura for that money I'll have one of those as well just to keep it company
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