Owned a 1988.5 QV for 13+ years. Lovely car, bullet proof and fast. Couldn't drive it anywhere without an hour long conversation :-) Small price to pay for such an amazing car. Thanks for the review JM.
I have a 88 countach my grandfather gave it to me as a graduation gift back in 2005. I grew up with that car , I used to play in it and pretend I was driving it ect when I was like 7 n 8 yr old. And when he passed away in 09 I inherited his 2000 diablo , their amazing cars and brother that old countach gets way more attention than the diablo does.. ppl genuinely love the car.
I've driven a Countach and it was a mostly miserable experience in almost every way that you'd usually judge a car. You know what? Didn't care, and I still want one as much as when I was a little kid back in the 80's.
@@allanfiedler9645 Very impressive, I need your money lol. A Jalpa, I haven't heard that word in at least 20 yrs. Impressive? And here, I only have a 2014 Corvette Z51 7 spd manual with a Supercharger, long tube headers, xpipe & Billy body exhaust. 🤔🤠
Hey You Hey 👋🏻 I can come get it tonight and I will be home by you later on well tryst I just woke me a so long so sorry sorry 😞 I’m worry 😞 but 🥅 🙂 I’m going on the road right for for the weekend so I will do 🫡 I need you more Xx 😘 I’ll see what if you’re not feeling better thanks 🙏 I miss 🤴🏻🤴🏻 thanks 🙏 I’ll let her be there for for me happy 😃 love ❤️ baby baby girl 👧🏼 good 👍🏼 happy 😃 day kiss 😘 love ❤️ kiss 😘 sweet dreams 🛌 sweet love ❤️ sweet brother and kiss kiss 😘 good kiss goodbye 👋🏻 goodbye 👋🏻 kiss 😘 sweet girl 👧🏼 kiss 😘 sweet sweet princess girl 👧🏼👧🏼 zzI I hope 🤞🏻 are are good 👍🏼 I miss your time time with your dad so much I miss 🤴🏻 and I hope 🤞🏻 don’t miss 🤴🏻 love love ❤️ thanks 🙏 I’ll let it come get yours and v zxb Cbvsuzllksyhezkhvkxzvissvukzskvkhkzkilvvscck zombie ius a lzgreat great friend baluzkovlove I soon as lI zzlbzI’m let’s zlbjust lzit it bit Lanzhou and no but it’s clans know love zuzombie and I very happy z😃 svzlb z love que long bbut de la journée et bla Bl de plus plus de la part des lfrançais tkzikztkzhlibzlife let hui zzbhui vzhui bal ask I bar zone zone Lizza de I je ne pense qu’à lib zzz 😴 Kat you Ll zit s Ti i X’sNcblto see see what you’re looking love ❤️ miss s🤴🏻🤴🏻 is the one ☝️ with can’t can’t get to you tomorrow night I’ll my and make it
Porsche 928 also falls into that class. Still looks like something you can go down today and buy one new off the showroom floor. Blends right in with today's cars.
Brings back memories of my 20s when i was on my thunderace 1000cc (2nd fastest bike in the world at the time) and came up on a black countach - traffic was light road was open - i went past 3 motorway exits past where i wanted to get off just to keep with it, i can assure you that the countach is definitely capable of going 180mph as i was bouncing off the limiter at just over 170mph and he was leaving me behind till traffic slowed it down and we'd go for it again - an experience I'll never forget!
Great memory. Also, maybe you should take into account how much the speedometers tended to cheat on motorbikes then (and it’s a largely ongoing trend nowadays). 170 on your speedo must have been like a true 155 mph. And that was proper fast for the time, no question about it. Anyway, great memory.
Motor Trend tested them all in 1987 (I know, I kept the magazine) : Testarossa, Countach, Esprit Turbo and a Porsche (either a 928 or 911 Turbo, can't recall. I don't remember which car won, but the top speed was 177 mph.
Context is everything. The Countach still looks amazing now, but you have to consider what else was around in 1971, when we first saw photos of it, and 1974 or so, when that first test in Road & Track was published. It's easy to understand how it got its name. The car was visually rude in a way that no one had never seen before. Stunning. Off all charts. Totally alien. I'd even have a broken one. That's how disruptive it was.
@@joevarga5982 It was rude, Joe, that was the whole point. If you weren't around in 1971 when the lime-green prototype was unveiled, then you have no accurate context to understand it.
@@michaelisaacson9735 It was dramatic, not rude. It was a pure, clean, beautiful form. It didn't even have flares. It was green, but not lime green. Maybe you're confused.
@@joevarga5982 When Road & Track got its first test of one, February 1976,it was an orange one but the green one turned up in a lot of photos. In this context, "rude" and, "shocking" are interchangeable. It was both. It was absolutely meant to assault the viewer. Also, it's not a very pretty car at all compared to the Miura.
The gentleman who owns this car (I'm not going to do him the disservice of butchering his name from spelling) is a true, stand-up petrolhead. Believe it or not, I live down the road from this very car (GLA12942). Short backstory; my friend lives in the same area as the owner, I live one town away. Me and my friend went on a drive and we spotted not one, but TWO Lancia Delta Integrale Evos in the same day on the same dual carriageway (one going there, one going back). Both were the same colour weirdly as well (a very similar colour to this Countach). We got home, and decided it would be cool to go on a walk. The weather was really nice that day. 3 minutes on our walk, we stumble across one of the Evos we just saw sat on the with its bonnet open. I was honestly in awe. Me and my friend just had to say something, it's not every day you get close up with a rally legend. Immediately I went up to say hello, and we spoke with the awesome owner. I wasn't too familiar with Integrales at the time so I was asking very basic questions but he was more than happy to answer them. I knew he was busy wrenching on it, so I cut it short with respect to him and we carried on our walk. Turns out it's a Japan Import Evo with only 20k miles, no surprises there, thing was mint. Since that day, every time I drive past I strike a quick glance to see what else might one day be lurking on the drive. A couple of months ago, I struck gold. This very Countach was sat on the drive; I was driving back with my friend (same friend), saw it and immediately got very excited. So much so when we got back, I told my friend I had to go check it out and ran up the road to go see it. He was busy elsewhere so sadly I didn't get to speak with him, but I stared at it for a good 5 minutes and took a couple pictures (again, with respect). That day I began to fall in love with the Countach. I immediately began to research as much as I could about this car, as where we are you rarely get to see cars of this calibre ever. I'm 20 and although I didn't grow up with one on my poster wall, it is now my favourite automobile. Originally this car was delivered in '87 with a wing, and actually has a sister car (KLA12903, a 25th Anniversary) bought by the same original owner as this DD. Whomever removed its wing did the right thing in my opinion, QVs and 5000Ss look so good without a wing. Really draws your eyes to the rear body lines instead. Ever since then I've been debating knocking on his door and asking about this beautiful machine. I'm just not sure if it's a rude thing to do? He also owns a Quattroporte (in the same colour!), I can only imagine how good the Countach, Integrale Evo & Quattroporte would look parked up next to one another. All in the same colour, wow. Nonetheless, if you're reading this. Thank you so much for being so great and inspiring me. - Mark
Congratulations, Jay. You've joined the pantheon of Countach reviewers. Thank you for treating her with the respect she deserves. Truly the greatest automobile ever made, and deservedly so. Cheers. ✌🏻🇺🇸
It's great to learn that this amazing car is more than a pretty poster. It certainly seems to deserve its place in history. Thank you for reviewing it for us, JayEmm, and thanks to whomever lent it to you for yours and our enjoyment. Cheers!
Have to say, the Miura was achingly beautiful compared to this but credit where it's due - the Countach captured people's imagination in a far greater way.
I’ve driven a 1972 Miura and it’s a much more pleasant car to drive compared to a Countach. I’ve driven both because my father owned both at different times. I’m only 5’8” so neither of these cars were too cramped for me. The transmission and the clutch in the Miura are a little heavy, but nothing I couldn’t deal with. The transmission and the clutch in the Countach are just as heavy as you’ve heard. The engine in both cars make them worth owning, you won’t even want to listen to the stereo (if it has one) because the engine is a symphony and you’re the conductor.
I never liked the way the Miura sat. Seen three in person. The pre sv Miura looks like they are carrying a sack of potatoes. Countach sits better. That alone is critical a cars stance and I love the rear slash arches. I love how the design evolved with the era fitted into the 70s and 80s. Sensual 71 prototype era Lp400. The crossovers wide arch Walter Wolfe late 70s early 80s. And the more visually complete 80s style. The 1987 Evoluzione Horatio Pegani carbon fiber test bed look it up. Amazing. My avatar is a stain glass panel I built one of my all time fave car. Lp400
I saw a picture of a Countach driving beside an early Boxter. I was amazed at just how truly small the Countach is. It's not obvious unless parked by more conventional vehicles.
The excitement I had seeing this video come up was like Christmas morning 1987 finding Lights Alive under the tree. I ADORE the Countach! I wouldn’t care if it drove like a double decker bus on flat tyres! It is just magical. This review is my favourite Jayemm review ever and that is saying something. The car is incredible, James’ delight is genuine, the noise is beautiful and that intro with the 80s music was genius. I’ve just watched it and I’m going back to the start to watch it again. I’m sure I will watch it a number of times in the future. What a dream car! James, they’re only half a million quid... You know you want to!
@@JayEmmOnCars the 911 needs a few hours of spannering/swearing and that can go. It's blocking in my MK1 MR2 track car, the quicker I do the bits on the 911, the sooner I can get out for a play.. and it's sunny today and the roof comes off either car 😁
Hi Jay, what roads were you using - wondered if I recognised any?! Great review by the way - you're always the go to chao for all my favourite supercars. Went to look at a V8 Vantage yesterday - think youre giving me expensive tastes - dangerous!! All the best Jay, keep the videos coming - so much more info & fun than TG!
@@paulbird1808 unfortunately I keep my test routes as poorly guarded secrets - I try to avoid making things public. Harry M told people where he filmed and the place is now overrun with YTers
@@JayEmmOnCars I actually found Harry's routes and his house from clues in the videos. Took me two months. I plotted it all out on Google Earth, left markers, triangulated, inferred, guessed, and eventually figured it out. Yeah, it turned out that answer was online the whole time, but I had a great time of it anyway.
Your verdict on the Countach Jay is spot on! They say "never meet your heroes", and that was absolutely true. Back in the day, I coveted the Countach, so the dealer lent me one to test. OMG, my illusion was shattered. I ended up poisoned, deaf and with a bad back! I then jumped into a Ferrari Testarossa, which was comfortable, civilised and easy to drive. I opted for that one in white. Several other Ferrari's joined my collection, F40, Enzo, LaFerrari ect (all in white) but the white Countach still stayed in the back of my mind. Did I make a mistake? Probably. Listening to you describe the reasons why the Countach is so difficult to live with, just left me feeling " I played it safe" all those years back. I will never own a Countach, that ship has sailed. I now have a collection of white Ferrari's, all a bit the same, pretty mundane, nice nonetheless......but will always wonder....."what if?!"😢.
@@Paris__ When you've yet to own any car, let alone an exotic, those kind of cars seems crazy special. I'm never going to own that level of machinery, which is all right, very few people can. But all I gotta say to you, as a person lucky enough to have them, is: Enjoy them, and use them the way they were meant to be used!
Bah... Countach... not a patch on my 1967 Hillman Imp Mk2 🙂 But seriously, the Countach poster positioned just beside the Farrah Fawcett poster was a mainstay of every teenage boy's bedroom back in the 1970s.
Hillman Imp - rear engined - that means it's basically the same car, right Bruce? I remember as a kid our baby blue one got stolen from outside the front of our house in Panorama Road, Mt Wellington. Hillman Imp that is, not Countach.
I remember walking into Pullicino Classics in South London back in 1998. They had a white QV that had been in a museum and never used. It had the infamous body stress cracks and needing a £25k recommissioning. The asking price was £50k and I had just blown the best part of that on a Japanese import STI. Boy do I feel stupid now…
I’m in my 50s now, so as a teen of the 80s I had the archetypal poster of white Countach against a black background. I lusted after one then, and still lust after one now. Films like Cannonball Run, Rain Man etc. only helped feed this desire. Sadly, the closest I ever got to (and probably ever will) owning one is a 1:32 scale model of a SV model (white with red SV lettering). Your video is a true testament to the harmony of man and machine in pure synchronicity. A very enjoyable watch. Loved the 80s themed retro intro music too. It set the tone of the video up perfectly. If ever you get to have a repeat drive, please do consider inviting me along. I promise to bring along a spare pair of pants, just in case my excitement lets out a little bit of wee
Great video James. The fact that you couldn’t contain your excitement said it all. It’s an old school, brute of a super car, hardly comparable to stuff in this day & age but that’s the point! It delivers an amazing experience in its own right! 👌🏻
Great stuff JayEmm, 80’s title sequence was spot on, love the little touches to each video to make em special. Also maybe the nicest spec countach ive ever seen with the blue over cream with a different blue on the interior. Subtle and tasteful if it ever could be said of a countach
I was 1 years old when it was bought! The shape and general appearance is truly unique! Thanks to you and the generous owner for this non-touchable experience 😁👍
Looks amazing with the headlights popped up. It was my dream car as a kid growing up and had to watch your video with my earbuds in so I could really here that engine
As Iain Tyrrell says in his video of the recommissioning of Harry Metcalfe's QV, most Countach's on the road are pretty awful as they require very careful and knowledgeable setting up. They shouldn't be harsh riding or bog down at low revs, and the controls are heavy but slick and dynamically of a kind. Maybe try and borrow Harry's which is now better than new, as a comparison!
Oh yes! The supercar. It may not be the fastest, comfiest or best to drive, but it's _the_ supercar. When someone asks me to define a supercar, I say Countach. Yes, I had a poster of a white one on my bedroom wall as a kid.
What a time we live in... a V8 Hyundai luxury sedan is just as quick to 60 as my childhood dream cars... I still want one of these though, it's still a dream car
I've owned an 88.5 for almost 2 years. Driving a Countach is a horrible experience when you get to drive it once and it's someone elses car and your scared to death. Once you learn about the car, drive it a few times, learn how to sit and adjust the seats and steering wheel, it is an amazing car to drive. I have a number of 1980s and 1990s cars and the Countach is my favorite to drive.
If there was one car that could wow the hell outta anyone forever, it’s the COUNTACH! I’m almost 90 and I still have that long poster with that white Koenig Countach on my wall. 😀
I don't really comment on your videos JayEmm, but on this occasion, I have to say, I'm so jealous of you. I have never sat in a Countach, let alone driven one, the closest I've been is driving a Gallardo (which was underwhelming). I can tell you now, if I so much as got the chance to sit in a Countach, I would burst into tears, I wouldn't be able to help myself. No other car does that for me (and I'm a Lotus Elise owner). That car is the living statement of what I love about cars. Nothing to do with speed, or performance. It's all about presence and soul. I feel sick just watching.
Fantastic video. Loved seeing the clip from Unleashed On Cars. That VHS, which I was obsessed with as a child, was the definite beginning of my life long love of cars.
When I was a kid I had 4 pictures on my wall….a lamborghini countach, porsche 911 turbo, lotus esprit turbo and a ferrari testarossa, love it that these cars still look as amazing now as they did back then
I remember reading Mel Nicholls’ story of a Countach, a Silhouette, and a Urraco driving through the fog on the motorway in Belgium, towards England. Surreal. A fantastic car even after all these years. Loved the Muira in The Italian Job but it was the Countach that launched the mid-engine supercar era. Old school 😀😀😀
Brilliant video. They say "never meet your hero's" clearly not all ways the case!. Loved the enthusiasm and the sheer delight of getting to drive one 😁
Wow! I loved this video. I’ve never seen you so happy driving a car. You’ve made me want to take the plunge. This really was the best British RUclipsr video on a Countach. Your video was factually packed with knowledge and the sound - wow! You captured that V12 carburettor sound so well. My dear friend Mike Pullen of Carerra Sport and multiple Countach owner has always said that nothing makes you feel as good as a well set up Countach (but he doesn’t like the Anniversary as it’s too big and heavy). This is your best video to date. Thank you. And I love that colour - acapulco blue.
This might be my favourite of all @Jayemm 's videos because this was my childhood dream car but I am not 100% sure of that, merely because this was in its own right a fantastic Countach drive today. Good Job Jayemm.
Thanks J, great review, glad you enjoyed yourself! Anything looking like a Le Mans car is fantastic! Thanks to the chap who brought out his P&J for us to!
When someone who can make films and talk finally gets the recognition they deserve, people start offering top rides for him..... you've cracked it Jay... hat off to all the videos you have made to get you here...
This has to be your best intro ever! I had to go back and listen and watch it a second time, and probably will again in the future. It's borderline 1980s movie material.
Great review, of a true classic. Harry Metcalfe’s one, of which he has done several videos including European road trips sort of kayboshed the view that these beasts were completely unusable as a grand tourer. And old school Lambo should be a bit of a beast to drive, proper weapon….
That video series is one of my favorites of Harry's. I love that Harry Metcalfe actually drives his classics on actual roadtrips as if they are brand new. I wish more car enthusiasts and classic car owners did that instead of storing them away to just gain value, or want to, but dont because the cars arent reliable. Mainly because they let the damn things sit 99% of the time during their ownership.
@Richard Harrold Thats what I love about him, He's not afraid to put miles on probably the most Valuable QV and even diidnt seem bothered to run it with a clear mechanical time bomb lol. I wish more Classic car owners/collectors would get their cars out. Not every car needs to be a show car and a museum piece for the next buyer.
I watched that intro about 5 times. Top work! It’s also obvious how much you appreciated the opportunity to drive the Countach. Great stuff and brilliant video
I love your intro, I love the Countach, I had this on my wall as you said. I love the 70's early 80's sound track starter. High quality video. Your my favourite go to car magazine now. Loving what your doing. Proper Petrol heads channel.
Thanks Jay, great watching your films. You have a knack for picking the cars I’d like to know the modern evaluation of. We’re probably a similar age so similar taste. Great to see you in the Countach and most other things. Thanks again. Keep living the dream for us.
I love how aerodynamic it looks... But I love how aerodynamic it actually isn't even more. Very much function following form. Nothing can be allowed to compromise the form.
Ever since I was around 11 years old and watched 'The Cannonball run' for the first time I was like woooooooow what an amazing looking car and the sound of the V12 on full chat is just spine tingling (Farrah Fawcett in a jumpsuit was also a bonus :-) ). I would guess the Countach is responsible in some small part for why I am an Automotive engineer. I have a passion for basically anything fitted with an engine and even named my kids after cars. Thanks for sharing the experience with us James :-)
Great video James , the opening was amazing very professional done and the Lambo is one of mine child hood dream cars. Saw two of them in white chasing a super bike back in the late 80’s on the autobahn and was epic to see and hear and burned into my memories forever.
I was fortunate enough to spend hours driving a 5000QV, including one 30 minute track session round Silverstone .. and it didn't blow up, or career off the track and was actually a hoot to keep it on the track. The A/C was hopeless, and the leg power required to depress the clutch was immense. Its why my left leg looked more developed than the right !
I'm with you James: I've always been Miura and Diablo (I'm older than you...) over Countach. And yet, the Countach is still there, Bizzarini V12 and all and if a certain farmer still loves his after spending ouch! money on it, I'll get over my bias. Now, when you've finished with the keys...
Oh my! The intro music from Cannonball Run started in my head every single time you accelerated and the camera was pointing at the exhaust! What an iconic car and movie opening!
I was on the way to the airport once and got overtaken by a Countach that went flying past then about 30 other cars went past more Countach's, diablo's all racing down the motorway and to top it off a XJ220 came past at a incredible speed was one of the best trips to the airport ever :) Love the sound of these V12 lambos.
In my world the Countach's great protagonist and rival was the Ferrari 365 Berlinetta Boxer not the TestaRossa. All the magazines of the day had those two as the top V12s and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage as their only true rival. Had my first ride in a white LP400 at age 21 and loved every minute of it.
Great to watch the wave of excitement crash over you as the old girl lifted its skirt and got going. Also nice to have a review that doesn’t ruin the childhood dream and majors on the positives. Nice job
Magnificent! in 40 years this car will STILL be mesmerizing. Well done! When James May drove one he said, careful about meeting your heroes, but you know what he still loved it, how can anyone with a pulse not!
I almost didn’t watch the video before commenting….I was seriously giddy when I opened RUclips and saw this car on your channel. I was giddy for you! What an absolute dream come true. I know you take your channel and work seriously-and this achievement is so cool for you! Incredible video (I did watch first….), loved the commentary…’not complete rubbish’-beautiful break description. What a day/evening! Congrats!
1- If they have the arches they need the wing. No debate. 2- My dads mate bought one in the early 90's . I went in it a couple of times. ... They feel like a huge go cart, are very wide feeling. Terrible quality control and fitment. awe inspiring at all times. my most vivid memory is going to his house and peaking through the crack in this old falling down garage doors and seeing the day light strike that white ( 5000s) bonnet and amazing headlights with the rest lurking in shadow. Right in the middle of a working class town too ! Those were the days....
Owned a 1988.5 QV for 13+ years. Lovely car, bullet proof and fast. Couldn't drive it anywhere without an hour long conversation :-) Small price to pay for such an amazing car. Thanks for the review JM.
Bullet proof.....shut the door and the window breaks kinda bullet proof?
I have a 88 countach my grandfather gave it to me as a graduation gift back in 2005. I grew up with that car , I used to play in it and pretend I was driving it ect when I was like 7 n 8 yr old. And when he passed away in 09 I inherited his 2000 diablo , their amazing cars and brother that old countach gets way more attention than the diablo does.. ppl genuinely love the car.
You had one really cool grandpa!
While most americans suffer. Stick it up ya.
I've driven a Countach and it was a mostly miserable experience in almost every way that you'd usually judge a car. You know what? Didn't care, and I still want one as much as when I was a little kid back in the 80's.
Exactly this.
Exactly that.
Exactly so.
Exactly as such.
Yes!
Have owned my current Countach for over 10 years..... Still my favorite of all my cars, fantastic and virtually trouble free after 10 years.
That's awesome! jay leno has over 100k on his he said he had no problems with it the motor was bullet proof
Curious , what are all your other cars?
@@failingup4907 Diablo Sv Murcielago 6spd manual, Testarossa, Jalpa ...Carrera Gt , GT2Rs
@@allanfiedler9645 Very impressive, I need your money lol. A Jalpa, I haven't heard that word in at least 20 yrs. Impressive?
And here, I only have a 2014 Corvette Z51 7 spd manual with a Supercharger, long tube headers, xpipe & Billy body exhaust. 🤔🤠
Great taste Allan - if you might enjoy starring in a driving video on your cars, please give me a shout 😎
Stunning. How can a design from the 70s STILL look futuristic.
The Countach and the Lockheed SR71 are the only contenders in this design competition class..
@@agskytter8977 Concorde?
@@paulmanning8897 sssss
Hey You Hey 👋🏻 I can come get it tonight and I will be home by you later on well tryst I just woke me a so long so sorry sorry 😞 I’m worry 😞 but 🥅 🙂 I’m going on the road right for for the weekend so I will do 🫡 I need you more Xx 😘 I’ll see what if you’re not feeling better thanks 🙏 I miss 🤴🏻🤴🏻 thanks 🙏 I’ll let her be there for for me happy 😃 love ❤️ baby baby girl 👧🏼 good 👍🏼 happy 😃 day kiss 😘 love ❤️ kiss 😘 sweet dreams 🛌 sweet love ❤️ sweet brother and kiss kiss 😘 good kiss goodbye 👋🏻 goodbye 👋🏻 kiss 😘 sweet girl 👧🏼 kiss 😘 sweet sweet princess girl 👧🏼👧🏼 zzI I hope 🤞🏻 are are good 👍🏼 I miss your time time with your dad so much I miss 🤴🏻 and I hope 🤞🏻 don’t miss 🤴🏻 love love ❤️ thanks 🙏 I’ll let it come get yours and v zxb Cbvsuzllksyhezkhvkxzvissvukzskvkhkzkilvvscck zombie ius a lzgreat great friend baluzkovlove I soon as lI zzlbzI’m let’s zlbjust lzit it bit Lanzhou and no but it’s clans know love zuzombie and I very happy z😃 svzlb z love que long bbut de la journée et bla Bl de plus plus de la part des lfrançais tkzikztkzhlibzlife let hui zzbhui vzhui bal ask I bar zone zone Lizza de I je ne pense qu’à lib zzz 😴 Kat you Ll zit s Ti i X’sNcblto see see what you’re looking love ❤️ miss s🤴🏻🤴🏻 is the one ☝️ with can’t can’t get to you tomorrow night I’ll my and make it
Porsche 928 also falls into that class. Still looks like something you can go down today and buy one new off the showroom floor. Blends right in with today's cars.
Brings back memories of my 20s when i was on my thunderace 1000cc (2nd fastest bike in the world at the time) and came up on a black countach - traffic was light road was open - i went past 3 motorway exits past where i wanted to get off just to keep with it, i can assure you that the countach is definitely capable of going 180mph as i was bouncing off the limiter at just over 170mph and he was leaving me behind till traffic slowed it down and we'd go for it again - an experience I'll never forget!
Great memory. Also, maybe you should take into account how much the speedometers tended to cheat on motorbikes then (and it’s a largely ongoing trend nowadays). 170 on your speedo must have been like a true 155 mph. And that was proper fast for the time, no question about it. Anyway, great memory.
Motor Trend tested them all in 1987 (I know, I kept the magazine) : Testarossa, Countach, Esprit Turbo and a Porsche (either a 928 or 911 Turbo, can't recall. I don't remember which car won, but the top speed was 177 mph.
I don’t believe this story is true. Your extremely large balls would have made riding a motorcycle impossible 😆😆
@@fabiena1787 "On the clock"
This, the Testarossa and the 959 were my wall cars. Utterly bonkers, but infinitely desirable. I'm so glad you got to drive one, you lucky bugger.
For me, it was this and the 365 GT/BB. Never did like the Testarossa.
f40? ;)
Politicians should be forced to watch this video. Perhaps then they'll dump their electric car nonsense. What a SOUND!!!
Context is everything. The Countach still looks amazing now, but you have to consider what else was around in 1971, when we first saw photos of it, and 1974 or so, when that first test in Road & Track was published. It's easy to understand how it got its name. The car was visually rude in a way that no one had never seen before. Stunning. Off all charts. Totally alien. I'd even have a broken one. That's how disruptive it was.
It was never rude.
@@joevarga5982 It was rude, Joe, that was the whole point. If you weren't around in 1971 when the lime-green prototype was unveiled, then you have no accurate context to understand it.
@@michaelisaacson9735 It was dramatic, not rude. It was a pure, clean, beautiful form. It didn't even have flares. It was green, but not lime green. Maybe you're confused.
@@michaelisaacson9735 Actually, it was yellow when it was first shown and painted green, then red later.
@@joevarga5982 When Road & Track got its first test of one, February 1976,it was an orange one but the green one turned up in a lot of photos. In this context, "rude" and, "shocking" are interchangeable. It was both. It was absolutely meant to assault the viewer. Also, it's not a very pretty car at all compared to the Miura.
Love the 80’s music on the video. Fantastic work James as always.
I love 80s music full stop
What's the name of the artist/music 30 seconds in?
No hideous boy racer wing, beautiful. And the single most accurate, concise overview of the Countach to date.
Yeah, it looks so good without the wing wich makes it the best rear end in history.
@@chrizdean A witch had nothing to do with it.
@@asensibleyoungman2978 Sorry for the missspelling, English is not my native language
Whilst useless, I think the massive rear wing is part of what the Countach is all about!
Useless, try 10 mph. detrimental but to each their own.@@Norton1531
The gentleman who owns this car (I'm not going to do him the disservice of butchering his name from spelling) is a true, stand-up petrolhead.
Believe it or not, I live down the road from this very car (GLA12942).
Short backstory; my friend lives in the same area as the owner, I live one town away. Me and my friend went on a drive and we spotted not one, but TWO Lancia Delta Integrale Evos in the same day on the same dual carriageway (one going there, one going back). Both were the same colour weirdly as well (a very similar colour to this Countach).
We got home, and decided it would be cool to go on a walk. The weather was really nice that day. 3 minutes on our walk, we stumble across one of the Evos we just saw sat on the with its bonnet open. I was honestly in awe. Me and my friend just had to say something, it's not every day you get close up with a rally legend.
Immediately I went up to say hello, and we spoke with the awesome owner. I wasn't too familiar with Integrales at the time so I was asking very basic questions but he was more than happy to answer them. I knew he was busy wrenching on it, so I cut it short with respect to him and we carried on our walk. Turns out it's a Japan Import Evo with only 20k miles, no surprises there, thing was mint.
Since that day, every time I drive past I strike a quick glance to see what else might one day be lurking on the drive. A couple of months ago, I struck gold. This very Countach was sat on the drive; I was driving back with my friend (same friend), saw it and immediately got very excited. So much so when we got back, I told my friend I had to go check it out and ran up the road to go see it.
He was busy elsewhere so sadly I didn't get to speak with him, but I stared at it for a good 5 minutes and took a couple pictures (again, with respect).
That day I began to fall in love with the Countach. I immediately began to research as much as I could about this car, as where we are you rarely get to see cars of this calibre ever. I'm 20 and although I didn't grow up with one on my poster wall, it is now my favourite automobile.
Originally this car was delivered in '87 with a wing, and actually has a sister car (KLA12903, a 25th Anniversary) bought by the same original owner as this DD. Whomever removed its wing did the right thing in my opinion, QVs and 5000Ss look so good without a wing. Really draws your eyes to the rear body lines instead.
Ever since then I've been debating knocking on his door and asking about this beautiful machine. I'm just not sure if it's a rude thing to do?
He also owns a Quattroporte (in the same colour!), I can only imagine how good the Countach, Integrale Evo & Quattroporte would look parked up next to one another. All in the same colour, wow.
Nonetheless, if you're reading this. Thank you so much for being so great and inspiring me.
- Mark
Congratulations, Jay. You've joined the pantheon of Countach reviewers. Thank you for treating her with the respect she deserves. Truly the greatest automobile ever made, and deservedly so. Cheers. ✌🏻🇺🇸
I live in Austin, Texas. There is a gentleman here who daily drives a white Countach, rain or shine. I have massive respect for that bloke.
It's great to learn that this amazing car is more than a pretty poster. It certainly seems to deserve its place in history. Thank you for reviewing it for us, JayEmm, and thanks to whomever lent it to you for yours and our enjoyment. Cheers!
The Cannonball Run. That’s the first time 5 year old me saw a Countach and I was blown away.
Have to say, the Miura was achingly beautiful compared to this but credit where it's due - the Countach captured people's imagination in a far greater way.
I’ve driven a 1972 Miura and it’s a much more pleasant car to drive compared to a Countach. I’ve driven both because my father owned both at different times. I’m only 5’8” so neither of these cars were too cramped for me. The transmission and the clutch in the Miura are a little heavy, but nothing I couldn’t deal with. The transmission and the clutch in the Countach are just as heavy as you’ve heard. The engine in both cars make them worth owning, you won’t even want to listen to the stereo (if it has one) because the engine is a symphony and you’re the conductor.
@@Mike-rk8px Well said, thanks for posting.
I never liked the way the Miura sat. Seen three in person. The pre sv Miura looks like they are carrying a sack of potatoes. Countach sits better. That alone is critical a cars stance and I love the rear slash arches.
I love how the design evolved with the era fitted into the 70s and 80s. Sensual 71 prototype era Lp400. The crossovers wide arch Walter Wolfe late 70s early 80s. And the more visually complete 80s style.
The 1987 Evoluzione Horatio Pegani carbon fiber test bed look it up. Amazing.
My avatar is a stain glass panel I built one of my all time fave car. Lp400
The Miura is an piece of art. The Countach is a UFO.
I saw a picture of a Countach driving beside an early Boxter. I was amazed at just how truly small the Countach is. It's not obvious unless parked by more conventional vehicles.
The excitement I had seeing this video come up was like Christmas morning 1987 finding Lights Alive under the tree. I ADORE the Countach! I wouldn’t care if it drove like a double decker bus on flat tyres! It is just magical. This review is my favourite Jayemm review ever and that is saying something. The car is incredible, James’ delight is genuine, the noise is beautiful and that intro with the 80s music was genius. I’ve just watched it and I’m going back to the start to watch it again. I’m sure I will watch it a number of times in the future. What a dream car! James, they’re only half a million quid... You know you want to!
You would think they are more than half a million quid being so iconic!
When supercars had an abundance of character, soul and wow factor.
Absolutely stunning.
I got chills watching this, seeing how happy it made you 😳
I need to go out for a drive today
Do it!
@@JayEmmOnCars the 911 needs a few hours of spannering/swearing and that can go. It's blocking in my MK1 MR2 track car, the quicker I do the bits on the 911, the sooner I can get out for a play.. and it's sunny today and the roof comes off either car 😁
Hi Jay, what roads were you using - wondered if I recognised any?! Great review by the way - you're always the go to chao for all my favourite supercars. Went to look at a V8 Vantage yesterday - think youre giving me expensive tastes - dangerous!! All the best Jay, keep the videos coming - so much more info & fun than TG!
@@paulbird1808 unfortunately I keep my test routes as poorly guarded secrets - I try to avoid making things public.
Harry M told people where he filmed and the place is now overrun with YTers
@@JayEmmOnCars I actually found Harry's routes and his house from clues in the videos. Took me two months. I plotted it all out on Google Earth, left markers, triangulated, inferred, guessed, and eventually figured it out. Yeah, it turned out that answer was online the whole time, but I had a great time of it anyway.
LIke you I never lusted after these. Even so, IT'S A COUNTACH! Getting to drive one, good or bad, must be a highlight and a dream for any car nut.
I may be born in’97 but that Countach was on my wall as a kid, alongside knightrider and DeLorean; and I wonder why I loved that intro music so much!
Your verdict on the Countach Jay is spot on!
They say "never meet your heroes", and that was absolutely true.
Back in the day, I coveted the Countach, so the dealer lent me one to test.
OMG, my illusion was shattered. I ended up poisoned, deaf and with a bad back! I then jumped into a Ferrari Testarossa, which was comfortable, civilised and easy to drive. I opted for that one in white.
Several other Ferrari's joined my collection, F40, Enzo, LaFerrari ect (all in white) but the white Countach still stayed in the back of my mind. Did I make a mistake? Probably.
Listening to you describe the reasons why the Countach is so difficult to live with, just left me feeling " I played it safe" all those years back.
I will never own a Countach, that ship has sailed. I now have a collection of white Ferrari's, all a bit the same, pretty mundane, nice nonetheless......but will always wonder....."what if?!"😢.
Hey, don't beat yourself up, very, very few people would turn down the opportunity to own what you have.
@@AmosDohms That's true bud, thanks. But they all would've had a different badge on the bonnet if I'd had been brave enough 😉
@@Paris__ When you've yet to own any car, let alone an exotic, those kind of cars seems crazy special. I'm never going to own that level of machinery, which is all right, very few people can. But all I gotta say to you, as a person lucky enough to have them, is: Enjoy them, and use them the way they were meant to be used!
Bah... Countach... not a patch on my 1967 Hillman Imp Mk2 🙂 But seriously, the Countach poster positioned just beside the Farrah Fawcett poster was a mainstay of every teenage boy's bedroom back in the 1970s.
Well remembered
Hillman Imp - rear engined - that means it's basically the same car, right Bruce?
I remember as a kid our baby blue one got stolen from outside the front of our house in Panorama Road, Mt Wellington. Hillman Imp that is, not Countach.
Still got my poster from 1982 when i was 18 , pride of place in my workshop.
I remember walking into Pullicino Classics in South London back in 1998.
They had a white QV that had been in a museum and never used. It had the infamous body stress cracks and needing a £25k recommissioning. The asking price was £50k and I had just blown the best part of that on a Japanese import STI.
Boy do I feel stupid now…
Yes I nearly bought it off Mark (RIP) and John - I nearly did... but bought one of their EB110s instead !
@@paulthorpe766 looked for gold and found diamonds
EB110?! What was that experience like for you?
I’m in my 50s now, so as a teen of the 80s I had the archetypal poster of white Countach against a black background. I lusted after one then, and still lust after one now. Films like Cannonball Run, Rain Man etc. only helped feed this desire. Sadly, the closest I ever got to (and probably ever will) owning one is a 1:32 scale model of a SV model (white with red SV lettering). Your video is a true testament to the harmony of man and machine in pure synchronicity. A very enjoyable watch. Loved the 80s themed retro intro music too. It set the tone of the video up perfectly. If ever you get to have a repeat drive, please do consider inviting me along. I promise to bring along a spare pair of pants, just in case my excitement lets out a little bit of wee
I can totally understand those that love these. When I first got into cars in my youth, the question was a Ferrari F40 or Porsche 959 battle.
00:57 best edit in the history of editing
Great video James. The fact that you couldn’t contain your excitement said it all. It’s an old school, brute of a super car, hardly comparable to stuff in this day & age but that’s the point! It delivers an amazing experience in its own right! 👌🏻
Great stuff JayEmm, 80’s title sequence was spot on, love the little touches to each video to make em special. Also maybe the nicest spec countach ive ever seen with the blue over cream with a different blue on the interior. Subtle and tasteful if it ever could be said of a countach
I was 1 years old when it was bought!
The shape and general appearance is truly unique!
Thanks to you and the generous owner for this non-touchable experience 😁👍
Wow! Loved this! "I'm driving a Lamborghini Countache! And it's not sh**!" 😆 What a dream car! Glad you loved it!
Looks amazing with the headlights popped up. It was my dream car as a kid growing up and had to watch your video with my earbuds in so I could really here that engine
Countach is the number 1 car for me! Ich just love everything about it! The outside, the inside, the sound is just incredible.
As Iain Tyrrell says in his video of the recommissioning of Harry Metcalfe's QV, most Countach's on the road are pretty awful as they require very careful and knowledgeable setting up. They shouldn't be harsh riding or bog down at low revs, and the controls are heavy but slick and dynamically of a kind. Maybe try and borrow Harry's which is now better than new, as a comparison!
Oh yes! The supercar. It may not be the fastest, comfiest or best to drive, but it's _the_ supercar. When someone asks me to define a supercar, I say Countach.
Yes, I had a poster of a white one on my bedroom wall as a kid.
Black LP500 on my wall!🤣🤣
What a time we live in... a V8 Hyundai luxury sedan is just as quick to 60 as my childhood dream cars... I still want one of these though, it's still a dream car
Brilliant! The music, the filter and then that car... amazing. Well done!
The first thing that ALWAYS catches my eyes on these cars are the flat window panes. So cool
This is probably the most important car you've covered since the XJ220...
I've owned an 88.5 for almost 2 years. Driving a Countach is a horrible experience when you get to drive it once and it's someone elses car and your scared to death. Once you learn about the car, drive it a few times, learn how to sit and adjust the seats and steering wheel, it is an amazing car to drive. I have a number of 1980s and 1990s cars and the Countach is my favorite to drive.
If there was one car that could wow the hell outta anyone forever, it’s the COUNTACH! I’m almost 90 and I still have that long poster with that white Koenig Countach on my wall. 😀
I don't really comment on your videos JayEmm, but on this occasion, I have to say, I'm so jealous of you. I have never sat in a Countach, let alone driven one, the closest I've been is driving a Gallardo (which was underwhelming). I can tell you now, if I so much as got the chance to sit in a Countach, I would burst into tears, I wouldn't be able to help myself. No other car does that for me (and I'm a Lotus Elise owner). That car is the living statement of what I love about cars. Nothing to do with speed, or performance. It's all about presence and soul. I feel sick just watching.
Fantastic video. Loved seeing the clip from Unleashed On Cars. That VHS, which I was obsessed with as a child, was the definite beginning of my life long love of cars.
When I was a kid I had 4 pictures on my wall….a lamborghini countach, porsche 911 turbo, lotus esprit turbo and a ferrari testarossa, love it that these cars still look as amazing now as they did back then
The perfect sound intro….for this dream car✌️🥇👌
I remember reading Mel Nicholls’ story of a Countach, a Silhouette, and a Urraco driving through the fog on the motorway in Belgium, towards England. Surreal. A fantastic car even after all these years. Loved the Muira in The Italian Job but it was the Countach that launched the mid-engine supercar era. Old school 😀😀😀
I remember that story. The Countach reg was BR 33. Wish I could find that story again.
We're they all gold in colour? If so, I fondly remember that story.
Also, have you seen Iain Tyrell's youtube video of how he found the actual Italian Job Miura?
@@pauldoree3967 yes. Watch his videos. Great stuff
@@pauldoree3967 I wish I could remember. All three the same colour. And what a well written story. Going to the factory to collect them all.
The intro tune playing when first driving it was an epic choice! Perfection in motion.
Great episode, lots of interesting information on a car I’ve never driven.
Hopefully one day you'll get the chance!
Brilliant video. They say "never meet your hero's" clearly not all ways the case!. Loved the enthusiasm and the sheer delight of getting to drive one 😁
Wow! I loved this video. I’ve never seen you so happy driving a car.
You’ve made me want to take the plunge. This really was the best British RUclipsr video on a Countach.
Your video was factually packed with knowledge and the sound - wow! You captured that V12 carburettor sound so well. My dear friend Mike Pullen of Carerra Sport and multiple Countach owner has always said that nothing makes you feel as good as a well set up Countach (but he doesn’t like the Anniversary as it’s too big and heavy).
This is your best video to date. Thank you. And I love that colour - acapulco blue.
This might be my favourite of all @Jayemm 's videos because this was my childhood dream car but I am not 100% sure of that, merely because this was in its own right a fantastic Countach drive today. Good Job Jayemm.
Easily one of the best videos of the Countach I've seen. A car that thoroughly deserves it's status as cultural icon.
As an italian I can say that that "forza Lamborghini" was top notch! :) Kudos!
Thanks J, great review, glad you enjoyed yourself! Anything looking like a Le Mans car is fantastic! Thanks to the chap who brought out his P&J for us to!
When someone who can make films and talk finally gets the recognition they deserve, people start offering top rides for him..... you've cracked it Jay... hat off to all the videos you have made to get you here...
Thanks - took a while but the journey was worth it!
I'm so happy it's that good to drive, even if I'll never get the chance to try for myself, it's just good to know.
This has to be your best intro ever! I had to go back and listen and watch it a second time, and probably will again in the future. It's borderline 1980s movie material.
Great review, of a true classic. Harry Metcalfe’s one, of which he has done several videos including European road trips sort of kayboshed the view that these beasts were completely unusable as a grand tourer. And old school Lambo should be a bit of a beast to drive, proper weapon….
That video series is one of my favorites of Harry's. I love that Harry Metcalfe actually drives his classics on actual roadtrips as if they are brand new. I wish more car enthusiasts and classic car owners did that instead of storing them away to just gain value, or want to, but dont because the cars arent reliable. Mainly because they let the damn things sit 99% of the time during their ownership.
@Richard Harrold Thats what I love about him, He's not afraid to put miles on probably the most Valuable QV and even diidnt seem bothered to run it with a clear mechanical time bomb lol. I wish more Classic car owners/collectors would get their cars out. Not every car needs to be a show car and a museum piece for the next buyer.
I watched that intro about 5 times. Top work! It’s also obvious how much you appreciated the opportunity to drive the Countach. Great stuff and brilliant video
What a great review. You really are the top of the game mate.
Being from Essex it’s great to see Essex back roads and villages.
What a nice sound. I expected a kind of screaming but there is this beautiful growling and trumpeting... I like it. Sounds like competence.
I love your intro, I love the Countach, I had this on my wall as you said. I love the 70's early 80's sound track starter. High quality video. Your my favourite go to car magazine now. Loving what your doing. Proper Petrol heads channel.
Thanks very much, that's really kind
Great video. Your cinematography is what sets your videos apart from the pack. You are the Kubrick of the automotive RUclips world.
Thanks Jay, great watching your films. You have a knack for picking the cars I’d like to know the modern evaluation of. We’re probably a similar age so similar taste. Great to see you in the Countach and most other things. Thanks again. Keep living the dream for us.
Thanks Philip, that is the plan!
That intro with the music was fucking brilliant!!! Literally re-watching it just for that alone
I love how aerodynamic it looks... But I love how aerodynamic it actually isn't even more.
Very much function following form. Nothing can be allowed to compromise the form.
Hilarious that a bar of soap is more aerodynamic than a wedge.
I'm way too tall to ever own a car like this, but it doesn't make me love them any less. Wow that car is coooool.
Ever since I was around 11 years old and watched 'The Cannonball run' for the first time I was like woooooooow what an amazing looking car and the sound of the V12 on full chat is just spine tingling (Farrah Fawcett in a jumpsuit was also a bonus :-) ). I would guess the Countach is responsible in some small part for why I am an Automotive engineer. I have a passion for basically anything fitted with an engine and even named my kids after cars. Thanks for sharing the experience with us James :-)
Great video James , the opening was amazing very professional done and the Lambo is one of mine child hood dream cars. Saw two of them in white chasing a super bike back in the late 80’s on the autobahn and was epic to see and hear and burned into my memories forever.
This is IT , your channel was just begging and in dire need of this car. AWESOME!!!
Another great video. You guys are smashing it, as far as I know there's no one else doing cars and bikes and it really works 👍
Perfect spec. Big lump, big flares, no skirts. The paint is so nice with blue and white interior. Never seen one so nice.
Love that colour, discreet and totally at odds with the bonkers styling.
Everything about it is ridculous; the tyres, the arches, the nacaducts, the doors, the driver visibility...I love it.
The intro to this video is genius. Excellent work.
I was fortunate enough to spend hours driving a 5000QV, including one 30 minute track session round Silverstone .. and it didn't blow up, or career off the track and was actually a hoot to keep it on the track. The A/C was hopeless, and the leg power required to depress the clutch was immense. Its why my left leg looked more developed than the right !
The way this thing goes by is second to none!
I'm with you James: I've always been Miura and Diablo (I'm older than you...) over Countach. And yet, the Countach is still there, Bizzarini V12 and all and if a certain farmer still loves his after spending ouch! money on it, I'll get over my bias. Now, when you've finished with the keys...
@Richard Harrold I forgive him cos the Espada is a fabulous thing
What a fitting tribute to an icon. Truly moving, and a gold-star example of RUclips creation that exemplifies its advantages over TV. Thank you 😊
Oh gaaaawd the music, the exhaust note, the music, the note..... Pure nostalgia!!!
I wouldn't mind driving so " miserable " every day !
My boyhood HERO , had models of them .
Oh my! The intro music from Cannonball Run started in my head every single time you accelerated and the camera was pointing at the exhaust! What an iconic car and movie opening!
Watching this and drinking my morning coffee. Countach and coffee is a great way to start the day.
I was on the way to the airport once and got overtaken by a Countach that went flying past then about 30 other cars went past more Countach's, diablo's all racing down the motorway and to top it off a XJ220 came past at a incredible speed was one of the best trips to the airport ever :)
Love the sound of these V12 lambos.
The chance of that happening is probably 1 in 100000 unless you're making it up??
@@t8506 ...or it was the Cannonball Run..
I got a Countach calendar for Christmas in 1986. It was (still is) the coolest car I ever saw.
My bedroom wall had posters Whitesnake / FM rock band & the Lamborghini Countach / Ferrari Testarossa , everything you ever needed in the 80's !
The Exhaust note of a Countach James, does NOT need musical accompianment ( even if it is Miami Vice!) Absolutely top video!
In my world the Countach's great protagonist and rival was the Ferrari 365 Berlinetta Boxer not the TestaRossa.
All the magazines of the day had those two as the top V12s and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage as their only true rival.
Had my first ride in a white LP400 at age 21 and loved every minute of it.
Great to watch the wave of excitement crash over you as the old girl lifted its skirt and got going. Also nice to have a review that doesn’t ruin the childhood dream and majors on the positives. Nice job
Magnificent! in 40 years this car will STILL be mesmerizing. Well done! When James May drove one he said, careful about meeting your heroes, but you know what he still loved it, how can anyone with a pulse not!
I almost didn’t watch the video before commenting….I was seriously giddy when I opened RUclips and saw this car on your channel. I was giddy for you! What an absolute dream come true. I know you take your channel and work seriously-and this achievement is so cool for you! Incredible video (I did watch first….), loved the commentary…’not complete rubbish’-beautiful break description. What a day/evening! Congrats!
Countach is one of my all dream cars, and owning one is my lifegoal, thank you so much for this great video James!
The synth sound track. Hits you in the feels with these cars....
So on point
The ultimate dream car!! It was was the biggest car of the 80s ! May have it faults but no other car came close.
Unbelievable, forget about the gremlins, the countach today, is still a fantastic machine! Thankyou jay!
1- If they have the arches they need the wing. No debate.
2- My dads mate bought one in the early 90's . I went in it a couple of times. ... They feel like a huge go cart, are very wide feeling. Terrible quality control and fitment. awe inspiring at all times. my most vivid memory is going to his house and peaking through the crack in this old falling down garage doors and seeing the day light strike that white ( 5000s) bonnet and amazing headlights with the rest lurking in shadow. Right in the middle of a working class town too ! Those were the days....
Brilliant video, I've wanted to see you review one of these for ages.
The sound of that V12 on full chat is intoxicating! We will miss the combustion engine when it's finally outlawed... 😣.. looked super fun for sure!
When are they getting outlawed? 😮