Countach realizing the dream - or nightmare?

[TKH]

The time has finally come to realise a boyhood dream like many I guess I have always hankered for a countach to me it's simply THE car

I have owned and driven lots of newer exotica but nothing has scratched the itch

And having hitched a ride in Jon's Diablo a while back the lambo thing won't go away

So I have read all the period road test absorbed all the buyers guides but still have a quandry do I go for

1. 5000S non body kitted 4.7 litre 375 bhp
Or
2. 5000 QV semi kitted 455bhp (not an anniversary)

Any comments very much appreciated

Edited by TKH on Saturday 31st July 07:29

[paddy328]

If your going to get one, you might as well get one with all the kit. IMO, the wing, scoops etc make the car.

[Redwing]

Hi TKH, this is a decision that you will not regret! Buying a Countach is one of the scariest things I've ever done but if you get a good one it's just fantastic! Rule one is get one from a reputable dealer. Also you would be wise to get it checked over by an separate specialist. Don't be in a hurry, you may have to wait for the right car to come up. Even if you are buying from a dealer expect to spend a few grand getting it just how you want it. Many people slag off the Anniversary which I think is rubbish! I find it easier to get comfortable and the aircon is much better. Where in the country are you as I would be happy to show you mine as a source of comparison as I'm sure would other owners. I think it was Mark Twain who said "One day you will regret the things you didn't do and not the things you did!" Regards James

[paulqv]

I would go for the QV. Not sure by part body kit if you mean the 88.5 with the side skirt.

The bad news? Finding one to buy!! Possibly only about 40-50 left in the UK now of ALL types. I agree with Redwings comments about taking your time to find one, although it may take some time

A bad one or one needing a lot of refurb etc will not cost a few thousands though!

Great cars and I have no regrets of buying mine

Paul

[andysv]

i owned a qv for 8 years, virtually trouble free and fairly quick even by todays standards, mine was red no skirts and had a rear wing, today i would remove the wing maybe i'm getting old! i had a brief drive in a 5000s and found it noticeably slower i also borrowed an anniversary and thought the ride was better, the engine felt smoother and more refined, possibly superior sound proofing? if i went back to a countach again i'd consider an anniversary on a value basis but imho only black suits the restyled bodywork.

Edited by andysv on Saturday 31st July 10:36

[TKH]

So sounds like a collaborative vote for the QV which narrows the field which is helpfull thanks to all

I think I prefer the non Anniversary purely beacuse I like the cleaner rear end - so to speak !

but take on board the point re black looking good for anniversary edition

oh decisions decisions if anyone can point out any possibles please feel free

by the way I thought all post 1984 cars had AC ?

Thanks again
Tim

[andysv]

forget the a/c in any countach keeping you cool

[paulqv]

andysv said:

forget the a/c in any countach keeping you cool

sorry disagree with that! It isn't the best. Two weeks ago when was driving to Abbots Langley to get the car serviced I spotted that sun thing you have in England and was about 25C +. I had the air con on and the car was acceptable. I just it recharged a few weeks before. Like all these old cars the best thing is to use them and they work better as do the the ancillaries.

There are a lot of rubbish myths about the car, mainly thanks to top gear presenters. The reality is that is quite a nice car and still seriously fast.

Paul
xx

[XXVIII]

Tim


... you have two LCUK committee members within a few miles of you and a notional supplier of a Countach within range as well and you have mail!!

[Jasandjules]

TKH said:

So I have read all the period road test absorbed all the buyers guides but still have a quandry do I go for

Which did you have on your wall as a kid?

[TKH]

I actually had a 1980's Aston Vantage on my wall which I have to admit is a box ticked

but the Countach is just the most dramatic piece of styling ever the rear end without the bumpers just looks so stunning IMHO

the visual drama has yet to be topped

having said I love the earlier models though the Anniversaries sound a more sorted car

luckily I have been contacted by the Lambo yoda's for guidance thanks David and Mitch

the hunt begins in ernest

must stop watching youtube clips

[XXVIII]

A few years back - during one of the 'not with JC' years at the BBC and Top Gear - a researcher thought that a feature with some kids at her old primary schools to determine the best car (for the under 9's...) should include a Countach which I drove up from West Sussex the night before.

This car has a very different reg. plate these days but I can report that on that day, it was neither too heavy or at all slow in operation or ever lacking in the usual wide-eyed and jaw-dropping effects that a Countach has on children of all ages!



ps at least eight under-nines can be made to fit inside a Countach, as long as the smaller ones are pushed well down in the passenger footwell... THAT 'TEST' CHILD-CRUSHING EFFORT NEVER MADE IT TO THE SCREEN AND WAS THE IDEA OF A PARENT AND A HEADTEACHER and not mine!

[will2020]

Would you be interested in a LHD?




My mate has this one coming into the country.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

Give him a shout it might still be available

[paulqv]

Am taking mine around to a childrens hospice today with the Ferrari owners club to cheer up the kids and will gauge the reaction of the kids and helpers to se which car they find the most fun

I have my money on mine! lol

Paul

xx

[paulqv]

Sob!

Bight yellow Corvette CO6 seemed most popular with the boys! lol

Ahhh well, was nice to see the kids happy

Paul

[NEFOC]

I picked up an 84 5000s a few months back and I'm in the process of commissioning it. You really won't be disappointed. If you've driven cars of this age before it's no heavier on the clutch and steering than my 87 Esprit and has significantly more grunt now it's been balanced on all cylinders.

A true great so enjoy the hunt.

[andrew.]

a certain red countach pretty much stole the show at hedingham today

[LamboDom]

Well that certain red Countach was mine! Thanks Andrew!
Not that I am biased in any way of course, but mine is the 5000S, which has the purest lines in my opinion, and I disagree with the comments regarding it being slower than the QV..! I have 'raced' QV's, Diablos etc and it is certainly as fast as them...as don't forget it is the last of the lighter weight models, being a good 150KG lighter than QV's, which is again lighter than the Anniversary....
It may have less BHP, but power to weight ratio is the same.. Handles like nothing I have driven before. An awesome car!
ps....there is a rumour that I may be selling her......unfortunately...(cant keep them all!) so feel free to get in touch! tel. [phone]. Dominic

[andysv]

don't want to go too far off original topic as it's all a bit academic but you must have a very quick 5000, i have paced a qv against a 5000 and an original 2wd diablo at the same time down a runway numerous times on a charity day and the finishing order was clearly diablo, qv then 5000 the terminal speed reached by my qv was around 145 mph, the diablo pulled away over 100mph (the drivers were also fairly evenly matched) i can also say imho a diablo sv feels much quicker at any speed than my old qv though i have not tested this side by side.

regardless of all this i would still recommend TKH makes the move and buys one it was one of my most memorable cars and proved to me that lambos are definately not a nightmare to own.

Edited by andysv on Monday 2nd August 14:00

[Redwing]

So come on, spill the beans...... Did you buy the red one from Amari?