How Many Countach's Left In UK

[911944]

If the mileage is sensible and the cars up together ie good body, no corrosion etc I reckon it could top 100k looking at recent sales results. But if it was me, I'd keep hold of her if I could, even if you just look at it once a week! I really believe countach values will rocket, the most iconic car of all time IMO

All the best

T

[paulqv]

keith53 said:

Thanks for the comment's, After all these years I still love it.

911944, although many years ago the car was redone I was led to believe it's original

Even though I love it I was thinking of selling but not sure how much it's worth now. I just don't use it enough and it's a very large toy

Keith

nice to see another car coming 'out'!

So few left in the UK. Would be nice to see if we can get as many of the cars together at one time in one place!!

Which model?

Tell us more

Paul

[Sesto]

keith53 said:

Thanks for the comment's, After all these years I still love it.

911944, although many years ago the car was redone I was led to believe it's original

Even though I love it I was thinking of selling but not sure how much it's worth now. I just don't use it enough and it's a very large toy

Keith you shouldn't have no trouble getting 100k for this superb looking example . You say it's not been used much recently but just how many miles have it done ? It looks mint . There are a few people on here who'd love to know more about this car . If you ever did decide to sell I fear it would not hang around for long and people would be queuing up to take a look and make offers . May 5th is Brooklands event this year if you fancy a good day out with other like minded Lambo owners I could get some complimentary tickets for you . PM me if interested .

Rick

[keith53]

Thanks for the offer Rick but I can't make Brooklands
A little info on the car

LP 5000s built in 1982 registered 1983
In 1983 it was in a time trials at Bembridge airport [Isle of Wight] against an Aston Martin Vantage a Ferrari 512i. plus a few others and was covered by Motor magazine, according to the mag the old girl came out on top.
Joe Sackey owned it from 1988ish not sure if that's when he bought it or just he wasn't scared to throw money at things he had Portman send it away to have work done when it came back they took it to a few shows, I have a nice picture of it in a magazine with it sitting on there stand at an out door event.
the mileage is 38650ks I have a 2" folder with history/receipts for it
The interior is loverly and the body looks mint from away but there are a few bits that need doing or not,depends how fussy you are, Years ago, things would have bugged me but not so much now

Edited by keith53 on Thursday 26th April 19:26

[Robert W]

Does anyone know how many UK RHD Countachs were imported?

LP400 - 6 UK RHD cars pretty sure but lots more RHD elsewhere in the world
LP400S (S1 and S2) - at least 6...any ideas?
LP500s/5000s must be about 20 cars...any ideas?
QV non-side skirted - at least 25 cars imported....any ideas?
QV 1988 side skirted - at least 16 UK RHD cars
Anniversary - 67 UK RHD cars seems to be the widely quoted number

It's such an amazing car, but no one seems to have any record of how many were made and where are they all?

[paulqv]

hi

There are records as the main service manager/mechanic for lambo Uk during that period was Del Hopkins. He worked with the various companies that ran the franchise.

In addition there were imports from elsewhere both RHD and LHD. Back in the late 80's when prices went crazy a lot of cars came here as the profits could be enormous before the crash.

During the countach production life the rough rule was that 10% of all cars came to the UK. that included Ferrari and Maserati too.

Having spoken to Del over dinner about this many years ago and once again on the subject about three years ago, I think he said the total was about 180-190. I seem to recall that figure being quoted by Carlo McCrindle of TopGear cars who has sold and resold more than most.

Due to my advanced senility, if I have that wrong then I will no doubt be corrected.

Harry Medcalfe of EVO told me recently that there are only about 15 QV's left in the UK today. Only about 50-60 show up on the MOT lists published by he DVLA

Hope this helps

Paul

[carspath]

i was led to understand that:

1) 14 side-skirted countach QV's ( 88 1/2's )were imported by the then official agent(some of whom originally sported the numberplates F919 OYR to F924 OYR)

2)a few of the above (?how many?) have been crashed beyond repair

[keith53]

I've always wondered how may RHD 5000s were made and how many are left

[paulqv]

Path

i have often heard the 14 for the 88.5 models. There were about 140 in total made. 470 QV's and 140 88.5 = 610 and 670 anniversary made.

I am not sure how many other RHD were made as I don't think there were many other importers in the other main RHD areas. I know none went to South Africa at the time. I think there were some official imports to Japan/ New Zealand and Australia.

I will ask and report what I find out

Paul

[carspath]

paul,if metcalfe suggests that there are only 15 QV's currently taxed by the DVLA , AND 14 88 1/2's, and at least double that number of non-skirted QV's were officially imported into the UK , THEN , there must be a cringe-making number of crashed beyond repair QV'S (or hopefully they are still alive and well in a heated garage either in the UK or abroad)

[paulqv]

RHD 400's 17 in total

more to come

[paulqv]

Hi Path

Harry suggested that there are only 15 QV's left in the UK, not taxed etc, just left in total! The DVLA records suggest about 50-60 are MOT'd per annum.

Carlo thinks there are about 110 left in total. So many exported in past few years of all types of cars as the £ is so weak

Paul

[carspath]

paul,

hang on to your countach hard

oh no, i shouldnt have said that , as diablo pete will probably have my guts for garters now (he's bigger than me !!)

paul and pete , are either / both of you planning to come to Wilton House this year?

[paulqv]

Hi Path

I intend to, for at elast a while. When you check the 'how many left' website of cars on SORN or taxed , what is noticeable on Italian cars is how over the past three years the numbers have generally gone down. The stories of exporting seem to be true.

As it presntly costs about 30% extra to bring them back on top of price and shipping, I can't see many returning.

Suppose it is nice to be driving something even rarer in this country!

How is you car?

Paul

[Robert W]

carspath said:

i was led to understand that:

1) 14 side-skirted countach QV's ( 88 1/2's )were imported by the then official agent(some of whom originally sported the numberplates F919 OYR to F924 OYR)

2)a few of the above (?how many?) have been crashed beyond repair

16 RHD 88.5 side skirted Countachs were imported by Portman, and they showed me a list of them many many years ago when they had a workshop full of early Diablos, so it must have been about 1994.

These included F919OYR 920 922 923 924 925 and 926 (dunno what happened to 921!) F927OYR was a Jalpa and 928 was a red Anniversary.

F925OYR was black and owned new by a Mr.Michaeledes, whose son was at my school (yeah, he was a cool kid!).

F926OYR is the only one that has definitely gone to it's maker - see

http://www.eurospares.co.uk/breaking2.asp?page=43

[paulqv]

Robert W said:

16 RHD 88.5 side skirted Countachs were imported by Portman, and they showed me a list of them many many years ago when they had a workshop full of early Diablos, so it must have been about 1994.

These included F919OYR 920 922 923 924 925 and 926 (dunno what happened to 921!) F927OYR was a Jalpa and 928 was a red Anniversary.

F925OYR was black and owned new by a Mr.Michaeledes, whose son was at my school (yeah, he was a cool kid!).

F926OYR is the only one that has definitely gone to it's maker - see

http://www.eurospares.co.uk/breaking2.asp?page=43

Excellent Post. Thanks for the info. It is these small pieces of info that help build the picture.

If you have any more inside info please share it with us

Paul

[carspath]

hi paul,

the car has been in hibernation since november, but is due out (rain permitting) next month

after much deliberation,i finally went with roberto grimaldi , having visited his workshop twice(even though its at the other end of the country to me )

the main thing he had to do was to check the chain tensions(and they were fine )and he then removed and stripped down and rebuilt the 45 DCNF carbs
the car is so much more responsive and eager since this has been done

roberto was very keen that i get the new american (?msd) ignition pack, as he says that this will give a much better spark, and he will then be able to tune the car to be even more responsive
however , i couldnt justify spending that sort of money just now , as i had replaced the ignition pack with a factory part only about 4 years ago

the brakes are still the weakest part of the whole car, but roberto has replaced the brake fluid and checked the pads , discs and calipers and says that this is as good as i am going to get with the car being left as standard

have you heard how harry metcalfe has got on with the replacement pads (?red/greenstuff?) that he fitted to his QV?

[paulqv]

Hi Path

?He uses Pagid blue stuff pads. I put them on the front of mine a couple of weeks ago. Much better but not a game changer. I had rears as well but they sent the wrong ones and raising the issue with them. Harry only fitted the fronts.

I need to get it on a track and see how they get on and push it a bit harder on the road.

I used Raymond's ignition pack. he is the guy from switzerland. It makes a big difference. More response and better mpg. Get about 16-17 mpg on long runs

Not sure about Wilton house. Will let you know

Paul

[chr55y]

carspath said:

paul,

hang on to your countach hard

oh no, i shouldnt have said that , as diablo pete will probably have my guts for garters now (he's bigger than me !!)

paul and pete , are either / both of you planning to come to Wilton House this year?

Yes and I'm coming to get you!

[paulqv]

Regarding the 88.5 cars. It is correct Portmans had 16, but they had the worldwide franchsie for RHD cars at one time. Don't know how long for. Only 14 in the UK other two exported. Possibly Japan.

got this from a good source.