RE: Mirage Countach | The Brave Pill

[MickyveloceClassic]

Skeptisk said:

Although this replica wouldn’t be for me I would probably rather have a drink with someone who bought it than the hordes of classic car bores that are obsessed with “originality” and “provenance”. I used to own an early 911 (that had been made to look like and perform like a 2.7 RS) and so mixed a bit with the early 911/914/356 crowd. Some of them were so geeky it was frightening - “as yes well that screw is clearly the wrong screw because they only used them on the 911 between May and August 1967 and your car was made in November 1967”. A parody but not that far from the truth.

I’ve driven a few real 2.7 RSs but ironically none of them drove as well as my friends replica, worth about a fifth of the value.

Scarily accurate, and a point well made. I’d rather chat to the builder of this (or any) automotive labour of love than the sneering loons I’ve met and heard in various (three) one-make car clubs I’ve previously, although no longer have joined.

I wouldn’t want this car, but strangely I’d like a Hawk Stratos - I can’t explain that; the Countach (low-body LP400S please) is the one car I’d buy if I enjoyed fabulous wealth.

[samoht]

Skeptisk said:

Just to out the £71k into perspective Harry Metcalfe spent £65k on some work on his real Countach last year. Ouch.

Yes, although that was a major engine & gearbox overhaul plus suspension and some chassis and interior work, after quite a few years of fairly minimal running costs. It'll probably be another ten years before it needs that sort of money spending again. It's also money invested in an appreciating asset, a car that'll probably end up with negative TCO at the end of the day. So yeah a lot of dosh, but should be seen in context.

[orangeLP400]

I can tell immediately this is a replica, but then I know these cars.

I bet many petrolheads, and the vast majority of the population would not see the difference. But I am not sure if I saw a dirty, battered AC Cobra I would know for sure!

But what is more interesting to me, is that a member of the Lamborghini Club took his genuine 5000s to a kit car show and many pointed out the errors compared to the real thing.

And once I took my car to the pub and parked it in the car park. Without knowing I was the owner, the table of 4 guys next door were laughing at what a poor fake it was. It was sooooo wrong I heard. Wrong shape, no arches, such skinny tyres, and worst of all, no wing. It was quite amusing and I had the desire to explain to them but then felt, remaining silent, was more fun.

[Pistom]

Many of the comments here are making the assumption that any owner of a vehicle like this has the primary aim of fooling others and that they couldn't possibly get pleasure from just owning it for what it is.