My old Lambo photos from the 90s
Discussion
This thread is fantastic and I have really enjoyed looking at every picture, and reading some of the stories, they are priceless! There are pictures of many cars that I recognize and one day I intend to sort through my own collection of photographs and contribute.
For now the picture that really interests me is of the Red LP400S at West Kent Car Sales. [Page 23]
1980 West Kent Car Sales (this was originally the famous bronze LP400 road test car that was crashed and rebuilt to S trim by the factory)West Kent Car Sales (also known as West Kent Motors) was local to me, and the owner quite a well known character. A family that I was very close to knew the owner personally and I can remember one day sitting around the table for dinner the subject of Lamborghinis came up and if I remember correctly the exact words were "he has a Lamborghini and a Countach'
I had seen the car he referred to as a Lamborghini... it was a Silver RHD Silhouette and I had seen it a couple of times parked outside the local pub which was a mile from where I lived. But that was the first I had heard of a Countach, could there really be a Countach so close to home... I didn't believe it for one moment, but I felt I had to investigate.
I had just started 'big' school so I guess I would have been 11 or 12.... I was born 1968. One Saturday morning me and my new buddy from school went to West Kent Motors and asked someone if it was true, was there really a Countach there, and if there was, could we see it please?
Sure enough, the car was there, it was parked in the compound round the back, but it wasn't the LP400S, it was an earlier LP400... and I could hardly believe it was for real!
The owner showed us around the car himself, he started it up, moved it a bit, let us have a good look around it and let us sit in it. We also took some photos and annoyingly I can't find the ones that have me in them, but I do have the ones with my friend in.
If anyone knows anything about this fascinating LP400 I would love to know more. I clearly remember the later LP400S had Roger Phillips on the license plate along with the Citroën logo (chevrons) so I expect the LP400 and Silhouette also came through him.
This advert appeared in CAR magazine a little later and interestingly there are pictures of the Silver Silhouette (WYH 516S) which is also pictured here in this thread [Page 9] but repainted in black!
For now the picture that really interests me is of the Red LP400S at West Kent Car Sales. [Page 23]
MauriceFontana said:
1980 West Kent Car Sales (this was originally the famous bronze LP400 road test car that was crashed and rebuilt to S trim by the factory)
I had seen the car he referred to as a Lamborghini... it was a Silver RHD Silhouette and I had seen it a couple of times parked outside the local pub which was a mile from where I lived. But that was the first I had heard of a Countach, could there really be a Countach so close to home... I didn't believe it for one moment, but I felt I had to investigate.
I had just started 'big' school so I guess I would have been 11 or 12.... I was born 1968. One Saturday morning me and my new buddy from school went to West Kent Motors and asked someone if it was true, was there really a Countach there, and if there was, could we see it please?
Sure enough, the car was there, it was parked in the compound round the back, but it wasn't the LP400S, it was an earlier LP400... and I could hardly believe it was for real!
The owner showed us around the car himself, he started it up, moved it a bit, let us have a good look around it and let us sit in it. We also took some photos and annoyingly I can't find the ones that have me in them, but I do have the ones with my friend in.
If anyone knows anything about this fascinating LP400 I would love to know more. I clearly remember the later LP400S had Roger Phillips on the license plate along with the Citroën logo (chevrons) so I expect the LP400 and Silhouette also came through him.
This advert appeared in CAR magazine a little later and interestingly there are pictures of the Silver Silhouette (WYH 516S) which is also pictured here in this thread [Page 9] but repainted in black!
snapper seven said:
Julian Hunt said:
This thread is fantastic and I have really enjoyed looking at every picture, and reading some of the stories, they are priceless! There are pictures of many cars that I recognize and one day I intend to sort through my own collection of photographs and contribute.
For now the picture that really interests me is of the Red LP400S at West Kent Car Sales. [Page 23]
1980 West Kent Car Sales (this was originally the famous bronze LP400 road test car that was crashed and rebuilt to S trim by the factory)West Kent Car Sales (also known as West Kent Motors) was local to me, and the owner quite a well known character. A family that I was very close to knew the owner personally and I can remember one day sitting around the table for dinner the subject of Lamborghinis came up and if I remember correctly the exact words were "he has a Lamborghini and a Countach'
I had seen the car he referred to as a Lamborghini... it was a Silver RHD Silhouette and I had seen it a couple of times parked outside the local pub which was a mile from where I lived. But that was the first I had heard of a Countach, could there really be a Countach so close to home... I didn't believe it for one moment, but I felt I had to investigate.
I had just started 'big' school so I guess I would have been 11 or 12.... I was born 1968. One Saturday morning me and my new buddy from school went to West Kent Motors and asked someone if it was true, was there really a Countach there, and if there was, could we see it please?
Sure enough, the car was there, it was parked in the compound round the back, but it wasn't the LP400S, it was an earlier LP400... and I could hardly believe it was for real!
The owner showed us around the car himself, he started it up, moved it a bit, let us have a good look around it and let us sit in it. We also took some photos and annoyingly I can't find the ones that have me in them, but I do have the ones with my friend in.
If anyone knows anything about this fascinating LP400 I would love to know more. I clearly remember the later LP400S had Roger Phillips on the license plate along with the Citroën logo (chevrons) so I expect the LP400 and Silhouette also came through him.
This advert appeared in CAR magazine a little later and interestingly there are pictures of the Silver Silhouette (WYH 516S) which is also pictured here in this thread [Page 9] but repainted in black!
Just love these Lamborghini stories, even better when the seed was sown when so young.For now the picture that really interests me is of the Red LP400S at West Kent Car Sales. [Page 23]
MauriceFontana said:
1980 West Kent Car Sales (this was originally the famous bronze LP400 road test car that was crashed and rebuilt to S trim by the factory)
I had seen the car he referred to as a Lamborghini... it was a Silver RHD Silhouette and I had seen it a couple of times parked outside the local pub which was a mile from where I lived. But that was the first I had heard of a Countach, could there really be a Countach so close to home... I didn't believe it for one moment, but I felt I had to investigate.
I had just started 'big' school so I guess I would have been 11 or 12.... I was born 1968. One Saturday morning me and my new buddy from school went to West Kent Motors and asked someone if it was true, was there really a Countach there, and if there was, could we see it please?
Sure enough, the car was there, it was parked in the compound round the back, but it wasn't the LP400S, it was an earlier LP400... and I could hardly believe it was for real!
The owner showed us around the car himself, he started it up, moved it a bit, let us have a good look around it and let us sit in it. We also took some photos and annoyingly I can't find the ones that have me in them, but I do have the ones with my friend in.
If anyone knows anything about this fascinating LP400 I would love to know more. I clearly remember the later LP400S had Roger Phillips on the license plate along with the Citroën logo (chevrons) so I expect the LP400 and Silhouette also came through him.
This advert appeared in CAR magazine a little later and interestingly there are pictures of the Silver Silhouette (WYH 516S) which is also pictured here in this thread [Page 9] but repainted in black!
snapper seven said:
Most Lamborghini's are bought with the heart after years of turning a dream into reality .
There's no other super car that evokes such passion especially in the early days of the Countach
You can keep your so called hyper cars such as Bugatti, Koenigsegg and Pagani's ,overrated , characterless bling .
If all the outrageous Lamborghini stories could be told would surely make a best seller,
Mike Pullen and Del Hopkins contributions would probably be enough to fill a book on their own .
Edited by rat rod on Monday 11th October 10:33
Thank you and glad you’ve enjoyed it. It’s been nice to be able to share them. When I was taking those pictures of course there was no internet or even the concept of such a thing so I had no idea I’d be able to share them this way.
And it’s been great to see others contribute too. In an age now where everyone can seemingly take limitless digital images, these period photos are precious gems.
Cheers
SS
And it’s been great to see others contribute too. In an age now where everyone can seemingly take limitless digital images, these period photos are precious gems.
Cheers
SS
Julian Hunt said:
If anyone knows anything about this fascinating LP400 I would love to know more. I clearly remember the later LP400S had Roger Phillips on the license plate along with the Citroën logo (chevrons) so I expect the LP400 and Silhouette also came through him.
This advert appeared in CAR magazine a little later and interestingly there are pictures of the Silver Silhouette (WYH 516S) which is also pictured here in this thread [Page 9] but repainted in black!
Hi Julian, do you know when the photos were taken or where? Who is the kid in the photos? I’m pretty sure I can ID the car and tell you more, but it depends on when the photos were taken! RobertThis advert appeared in CAR magazine a little later and interestingly there are pictures of the Silver Silhouette (WYH 516S) which is also pictured here in this thread [Page 9] but repainted in black!
Robert W said:
Hi Julian, do you know when the photos were taken or where? Who is the kid in the photos? I’m pretty sure I can ID the car and tell you more, but it depends on when the photos were taken! Robert
Hey Robert, Thank you for your response. Most of the info is already in my post, but I can add to it!The pictures were taken at West Kent Car Sales (also known as West Kent Motors) in Biggin Hill by me. Date wise it must have been 1979 or 1980. I had just started senior school (in Biggin Hill) and the kid in the pictures was my new buddy, he lived 1/4 mile from West Kent Car Sales in Biggin Hill. There are also pictures of me sitting in and standing next to the car, but annoyingly I can't find them.
At the time these pictures were taken as far as I know he also had the Silhouette, but not the LP400S, that came later...... perhaps you can tell us more about that car, too?
Edited by Julian Hunt on Thursday 14th October 23:35
Hi Julian, sorry, I misread your post. Can you remember if the LP400 was orange or red? Also, can you remember the name of the owner? Very interesting - I have photos from 1979/1980 of an identical car, but the number plate is a different! Many thanks. Robert
PS I am Bickley born and, so know Biggin Hill and know Biggin Hill well inc. a school boy photo of a black Espada at West Kent Car Sales!
PPS of the car is orange, I’m pretty sure it’s this one - see the photos of the interior - it looks identical https://www.grahamturner.org/lamborghini-countach-...
PS I am Bickley born and, so know Biggin Hill and know Biggin Hill well inc. a school boy photo of a black Espada at West Kent Car Sales!
PPS of the car is orange, I’m pretty sure it’s this one - see the photos of the interior - it looks identical https://www.grahamturner.org/lamborghini-countach-...
Edited by Robert W on Friday 15th October 00:38
Not sure it is chassis 106 at Graham Turner.
Three points raise this question.
The reg JYH 928N was reported to be on chassis 94 by Minster on this forum.
106 always had a black drivers mirror in photos and when I have seen the car and appears to this day to be in remarkable original condition.
The colour in the photos appears more a red than orange of 106.
If it is 94 then a colour change has arisen. but trim colour looks correct.
Would welcome more info.
Three points raise this question.
The reg JYH 928N was reported to be on chassis 94 by Minster on this forum.
106 always had a black drivers mirror in photos and when I have seen the car and appears to this day to be in remarkable original condition.
The colour in the photos appears more a red than orange of 106.
If it is 94 then a colour change has arisen. but trim colour looks correct.
Would welcome more info.
carspath said:
Hello MaserCoupe -- What lovely photographs, What lovely memories . You are very lucky to have had such 1st hand experience with all these wonderful cars , and thank you for posting on this thread , which will bring these experiences alive for many other people , and also keep it for posterity.
I'm slowly working my way through the recent additions to this thread , but couldn't resist jumping in at this point about your 16.24 post :
''The year before at the same venue they did the same event for a hand over of an 88Spec QV skirted car F920OYR or F924OYR red car rear wing, tan interior possibly red piping like Paths old car which was wingless. Great stuff!!!! Man you really can't out Countach a Countach. I think on both occasions Mike Pullen turned up in his low body car which he still has with the WUGUN reg . ''
I think that the car that you are talking about here is F924OYR.
Your description exactly fits with the pictures of F924OYR in Dron's book (Crowood Press )---924 had a rear wing.
F920OYR (which I am lucky enough to still be the custodian of ) , was delivered wingless.
The first , and only other owner of F920OYR (chassis 12399 ) was a gentleman called Nigel Holland , and he had had either 4 or 5 Countachs prior to 920.He was kind enough to give me the bottle of red Lamborghini that was presented to him on delivery of 920 , and this bottle of now- vinegar remains unopened.
I thought that the Countach rear wings were expensive options , added on at the very last stages of manufacture , but Nigel told me that when speccing 920 in 1987 , the rear wing was a no-cost option (at least to him ) .
He chose not to have the rear wing fitted , purely for the aesthetics .
I'd better get back to reading the rest of the thread , so as not to get left behind the rest of the class
Hello, Nigel here. Hope you still have the car, one of my favourites. I'm slowly working my way through the recent additions to this thread , but couldn't resist jumping in at this point about your 16.24 post :
''The year before at the same venue they did the same event for a hand over of an 88Spec QV skirted car F920OYR or F924OYR red car rear wing, tan interior possibly red piping like Paths old car which was wingless. Great stuff!!!! Man you really can't out Countach a Countach. I think on both occasions Mike Pullen turned up in his low body car which he still has with the WUGUN reg . ''
I think that the car that you are talking about here is F924OYR.
Your description exactly fits with the pictures of F924OYR in Dron's book (Crowood Press )---924 had a rear wing.
F920OYR (which I am lucky enough to still be the custodian of ) , was delivered wingless.
The first , and only other owner of F920OYR (chassis 12399 ) was a gentleman called Nigel Holland , and he had had either 4 or 5 Countachs prior to 920.He was kind enough to give me the bottle of red Lamborghini that was presented to him on delivery of 920 , and this bottle of now- vinegar remains unopened.
I thought that the Countach rear wings were expensive options , added on at the very last stages of manufacture , but Nigel told me that when speccing 920 in 1987 , the rear wing was a no-cost option (at least to him ) .
He chose not to have the rear wing fitted , purely for the aesthetics .
I'd better get back to reading the rest of the thread , so as not to get left behind the rest of the class
Ian.C said:
Not sure it is chassis 106 at Graham Turner.
Three points raise this question.
The reg JYH 928N was reported to be on chassis 94 by Minster on this forum.
106 always had a black drivers mirror in photos and when I have seen the car and appears to this day to be in remarkable original condition.
The colour in the photos appears more a red than orange of 106.
If it is 94 then a colour change has arisen. but trim colour looks correct.
Would welcome more info.
Nice one. 106 has the black driving mirror on the cover of a car magazine in 1977, which is before the photos above, so I was wrong, it can’t be that car.Three points raise this question.
The reg JYH 928N was reported to be on chassis 94 by Minster on this forum.
106 always had a black drivers mirror in photos and when I have seen the car and appears to this day to be in remarkable original condition.
The colour in the photos appears more a red than orange of 106.
If it is 94 then a colour change has arisen. but trim colour looks correct.
Would welcome more info.
Trim looks to be Senape. Don’t understand the relevance of JYH928N being on ch no 94? Reg above is JYH292N, which is different. We’re looking for a red senape RHD LP400 in the UK in 79/80 it seems.
Edited by Robert W on Saturday 16th October 16:14
I reckon it is 1120026, the original car. Here are some photos before the Earls Court Motor Show - it looks orange in the photos, but is actually red. Note no wing mirrors and the interior colour looks right…. But the registration no is wrong!
Edited by Robert W on Saturday 16th October 16:19
Nice to here from you Ivor.
Yes agree the pictured car probably is chassis 26.
Chassis 26 has had different interior and exterior colours and registrations.
Whilst I attended the 1974 Earl's Court Motor Show , where chassis 26 was displayed I have no record photographs.
However, in 1983 I undertook a 500 mile day trip to see the car at Straight Eight on Goldhawk Road.
It was red with tan interior and rear wing with number plate HPP 5.
So interior colour consistent with 1979/80 photo at Biggin Hill.
I am still curious about Minster's reference to the JYH registration.
I should have noted it was his best recollection. so am thinking the digits could have been different, hence possible link to chassis 94.
Don't believe there are any other likely candidates for the pictured car.
Yes agree the pictured car probably is chassis 26.
Chassis 26 has had different interior and exterior colours and registrations.
Whilst I attended the 1974 Earl's Court Motor Show , where chassis 26 was displayed I have no record photographs.
However, in 1983 I undertook a 500 mile day trip to see the car at Straight Eight on Goldhawk Road.
It was red with tan interior and rear wing with number plate HPP 5.
So interior colour consistent with 1979/80 photo at Biggin Hill.
I am still curious about Minster's reference to the JYH registration.
I should have noted it was his best recollection. so am thinking the digits could have been different, hence possible link to chassis 94.
Don't believe there are any other likely candidates for the pictured car.
Ian.C said:
Nice to here from you Ivor.
Yes agree the pictured car probably is chassis 26.
Chassis 26 has had different interior and exterior colours and registrations.
Whilst I attended the 1974 Earl's Court Motor Show , where chassis 26 was displayed I have no record photographs.
However, in 1983 I undertook a 500 mile day trip to see the car at Straight Eight on Goldhawk Road.
It was red with tan interior and rear wing with number plate HPP 5.
So interior colour consistent with 1979/80 photo at Biggin Hill.
I am still curious about Minster's reference to the JYH registration.
I should have noted it was his best recollection. so am thinking the digits could have been different, hence possible link to chassis 94.
Don't believe there are any other likely candidates for the pictured car.
Hey Ian,Yes agree the pictured car probably is chassis 26.
Chassis 26 has had different interior and exterior colours and registrations.
Whilst I attended the 1974 Earl's Court Motor Show , where chassis 26 was displayed I have no record photographs.
However, in 1983 I undertook a 500 mile day trip to see the car at Straight Eight on Goldhawk Road.
It was red with tan interior and rear wing with number plate HPP 5.
So interior colour consistent with 1979/80 photo at Biggin Hill.
I am still curious about Minster's reference to the JYH registration.
I should have noted it was his best recollection. so am thinking the digits could have been different, hence possible link to chassis 94.
Don't believe there are any other likely candidates for the pictured car.
Some very interesting info here, thanks for sharing!
Ian.C said:
It was red with tan interior and rear wing with number plate HPP 5.
Do you have a picture of this? Please say you do..... I have never seen an LP400 with a wing, with the exception of Wolf cars!Robert W said:
Hi Julian, sorry, I misread your post. Can you remember if the LP400 was orange or red? Also, can you remember the name of the owner? Very interesting - I have photos from 1979/1980 of an identical car, but the number plate is a different! Many thanks. Robert
PS I am Bickley born and, so know Biggin Hill and know Biggin Hill well inc. a school boy photo of a black Espada at West Kent Car Sales!
PPS of the car is orange, I’m pretty sure it’s this one - see the photos of the interior - it looks identical https://www.grahamturner.org/lamborghini-countach-...
Hey Robert,PS I am Bickley born and, so know Biggin Hill and know Biggin Hill well inc. a school boy photo of a black Espada at West Kent Car Sales!
PPS of the car is orange, I’m pretty sure it’s this one - see the photos of the interior - it looks identical https://www.grahamturner.org/lamborghini-countach-...
Edited by Robert W on Friday 15th October 00:38
I have been thinking about the colour and to be honest it's so long ago it's hard to remember for sure.
However, my gut memory is that it was Red, and I think it looks more red in the photos, too.
Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the owner.
Interesting that you saw a Black Espada at the same dealers, I don't remember seeing an Espada there, but I do remember seeing one (I don't think it was black) on a drive near Keston Mark.
HI Julian, attached photo of 1120026 with rear wing at Straight Eight.
The car did not have flared arches or a rear wing as incorrectly described in the advertisement.
The car appeared in Supercar Classics March 88 I think and more recently in Auto Italia magazine painted yellow with tobacco trim.
The car did not have flared arches or a rear wing as incorrectly described in the advertisement.
The car appeared in Supercar Classics March 88 I think and more recently in Auto Italia magazine painted yellow with tobacco trim.
Ian.C said:
HI Julian, attached photo of 1120026 with rear wing at Straight Eight.
The car did not have flared arches or a rear wing as incorrectly described in the advertisement.
The car appeared in Supercar Classics March 88 I think and more recently in Auto Italia magazine painted yellow with tobacco trim.
Correction - should read no FRONT wing as stated in the advertisementThe car did not have flared arches or a rear wing as incorrectly described in the advertisement.
The car appeared in Supercar Classics March 88 I think and more recently in Auto Italia magazine painted yellow with tobacco trim.
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