Tuesday 10th February 2015

Valentino Balboni and the Countach: Time For Tea?

Valentino talks us through the Countach's history and where the name really came from

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Look elsewhere for a video of Valentino Balboni at maximum attack. Like here, for example. This video is a little more grown-up (he's wearing a jacket, for a start) and explains the significance of the Countach in Lambo's history as well as Valentino's development role.

It is an RM Auctions video, the featured Countach a gorgeous 1977 LP400 'Periscopo', one of just 150 produced and an original Australian market RHD car. Despite a high bid of 950,000 euros at RM's recent Paris auction the Countach remained unsold, presumably with a reserve somewhere closer to the 1.1-1.4m euro estimate. For something a little different, this twin-turbocharged (!) LP400 made 392,000 euros.

Anyway, the video. Even 45 years after first joining Lamborghini, Balboni's passion for the brand is tangible and quite infectious actually. You can only imagine the excitement around Sant'Agata when the Countach first rolled in town and obviously it remains a massively significant car for Lamborghini. Best get saving for the next auction, there could well be a very special Countach up for sale.

Watch the vid here.

[Image: Stuart Kortekaas for RM Auctions]

[belleair302]

A truly passionate man with a wonderful story to tell. As a car fan I admire Lamborghini and the Countach, it must have been amazing to have seen one in the early 1970's here in the UK parked near a Cortina, Morris Marina, Austin Maxi or a Capri. Still so futuristic to look at and if carefully modified very easy to live with today. However I have never wanted one and am happy to enjoy from afar.

[pSynrg]

Best.Design.Ever.

I don't give a fk if it doesn't live up to the dream, well, simply because it will always be The Dream.

[LordGrover]

My poster car of yesteryear.

[LasseV]

Teh supercar for me. I love it. Absolutely love it.

[Jonny TVR]

As a teenager in the mid eighties I remember seeing one near where I lived regularly. Still remember seeing it accelerate down a long straight whilst stood there mouth wide open I should imagine. I followed it one day to see where it lived. I think the guy must have worked in the trade as saw him in a testarossa a few times too. Both red .. Both blew my mind.

Wish you could still get one for £50K! remember Harry Metcalf having one in evo. Bet he regrets selling it now. I remember that road trip he went on.

Edited by Jonny TVR on Wednesday 11th February 08:24

[M4SER]

Eh?
Who said I'd sold my Countach? Not planning on doing that any time soon.. Always great to hear Valentino speak about those amazing times at Lamborghini all those years ago.
Here's a video update I did on my Countach recently

http://youtu.be/qZuZBZyV6Eg

[Jonny TVR]

M4SER said:

Eh?
Who said I'd sold my Countach? Not planning on doing that any time soon.. Always great to hear Valentino speak about those amazing times at Lamborghini all those years ago.
Here's a video update I did on my Countach recently

http://youtu.be/qZuZBZyV6Eg

Thats what happens when you let your Evo subscription lapse!

Will have a look at the video tonight. Had a sneak and looks really interesting.

[aeropilot]

Never 'got' the Countach.........but that was probably an age thing, as the Muira was the 'poster' car for my generation, and the Countach just seemed an oddity when it came out, despite the 'top trumps' figures.

[Schnellmann]

When I was growing up in the 70s and 80s I thought the Countach looked amazing. But nowadays I much prefer the looks of the Ferrari BB

[LordGrover]

aeropilot said:

Never 'got' the Countach.........but that was probably an age thing, as the Muira was the 'poster' car for my generation, and the Countach just seemed an oddity when it came out, despite the 'top trumps' figures.

Speaking of the Miura, did anything come of the recent-ish concept?

[ZOLLAR]

LordGrover said:

aeropilot said:

Never 'got' the Countach.........but that was probably an age thing, as the Muira was the 'poster' car for my generation, and the Countach just seemed an oddity when it came out, despite the 'top trumps' figures.

Speaking of the Miura, did anything come of the recent-ish concept?

I think they said it was just a celebration of the car and that they weren't going to produce it as Lamborghini were about "Thinking of the future and not the past" or something along those lines.

Edit

Here it is

wiki said:

Lamborghini president and CEO Stefan Winkelmann stated that the concept would not mark the Miura's return to production, saying that “The Miura was a celebration of our history, but Lamborghini is about the future. Retro design is not what we are here for. So we won’t do the Miura.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamborghini_Miura_concept

[LaurasOtherHalf]

I still wonder why no one else designed a car with its particular layout

[Jonny TVR]

testarossa prices seem to be a third of countach prices at the moment .. is that because they are more iconic??

[belleair302]

I think it boils down to production numbers Lamborghini vs Ferrari and overall image. The Ferrari is a better car to drive but just doesn't have the 'image' of the Countach nor the history, yet!

[Enricogto]

Can we have the definition fixed to "Periscopio"?

Awesome car nonetheless...

[LordGrover]

ZOLLAR said:

I think they said it was just a celebration of the car and that they weren't going to produce it as Lamborghini were about "Thinking of the future and not the past" or something along those lines.

Edit

Here it is

wiki said:

Lamborghini president and CEO Stefan Winkelmann stated that the concept would not mark the Miura's return to production, saying that “The Miura was a celebration of our history, but Lamborghini is about the future. Retro design is not what we are here for. So we won’t do the Miura.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamborghini_Miura_concept

Thanks.
Shame. They may think of it as retro, I think of it as cracking.

[soad]

What an extraordinary career that chap had!

"Were you speeding, Sir?"


The incredible story of Valentino Balboni

[VladD]

Enricogto said:

Can we have the definition fixed to "Periscopio"?

Awesome car nonetheless...

I believe the original car had a V shaped groove along the roof. Instead of a rear view mirror, it was was intended that a prism would be in its place and would look down the V shaped groove (a bit like a periscope, hence the name), thus solving the problem of limited rear visibility. I don't know if that feature ever made production, but obviously some body shells were made with that in mind.

[edit] Found this picture.

[dinkel]

Rode shotgun in an LP5000S - epic.

Poster car, yes. I think it's comfy and purposefull. Be prepared to see anyone - yes, no one included - to turn heads when you're approaching.

V12 rumble becomes fierce above 4K. That's where you want to be.

[Gilhooligan]

Didn't realise how 'clean' the original design was, compared with the later iterations with those pointless rear wings. Much better looking imo.