Japan and its neighbors have some of the most interesting car cultures in the world. Despite being rather harsh on older vehicles that are often taxed right off the road, enthusiasts still love to modify, race and indulge their automotive passions. Sometimes, however, those passions can hit a brick wall – such as this Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition featured here on Speedhunters that was spotted languishing in a Tokyo parking garage.
Speedhunters has done a nice job lately profiling some of the abandoned supercars found languishing throughout Japan, and we’ll feature their excellent photos and reporting in the coming weeks. This particular Lamborghini is one of the more valuable renditions of the Countach, as the 25th Anniversary models encapsulated all of the wild excess of the car and the era in which it was made in one very loud final fling. As you can see, it’s parked with one wheel missing and a stack of blocks holding up the rear.
Speedhunters’ photographer noted that the interior was quite messy, looking more like a catch-all for random pieces of trash and remnants of the missing owner. In Countach culture, the early LP500s are among the most desirable for their arguably purer lines, but others prefer the wild spoilers and aero enhancements of the 25th Anniversary cars because the Countach could hardly be considered tame in any form. This example has had its iconic rear wing removed and its bling-worthy polished wheels replaced by some disappointing Rota wheels, a popular Japanese wheel brand.
There’s a lot of money in Tokyo, and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit that this Countach was simply parked by a bored owner who unceremoniously removed a wheel to inhibit the efforts of any would-be thieves. Seeing a six-figure car like this sort of carelessly modified and parked is a reminder that for some enthusiasts, the cost of a car and its upkeep is irrelevant to simply having one more toy to play with. Maybe one day the dust will be blown off this long-idled Lambo, but for now, it’s fascinating camera fodder.
Thanks very much for posting this!
I’m in Tokyo on a regular basis. I’ll have to swing by and check these out. The license plates for this Lamborghini and for the Ferrari (separate SH post) show that the cars have Shinagawa plates (part of Tokyo). Given that, I can only imagine what other treasures in other parts of Tokyo (which is really more of a state than a city) there may be (especially in the western, more rural parts of Tokyo).
That said, having been a resident of Japan (Tokyo and Osaka) in the past, I cannot imagine what paperwork might be required to export this car (or other similar treasures). The shipping charges alone would likely be a killer.
The Shinagawa plates do not mean that the driver lives in Shinagawa. Shinagawa is considered the ‘cool’ location to get your vehicle registered, like having an ‘8’ plate for good luck.
That’s why you see so many cars with Shina tags regardless of locale.
On a side note, many muscle cars were ‘imported’ into Japan in the 70s via the US govt. Military members could have their rides brought over, and many upon leaving sold them off before leaving the country since Uncle Sam was not going to pay for them to bring them home.
Cheers from Tokyo
I think you’ll find that the paperwork for this, or any other Japanese-registered car, is pretty straightforward. Cars that are exported have a deregistration certificate issued to show that they’re a legit export. Same with motorcycles and scooters over 200cc.
Depending on where you live, shipping may also be less of a problem than you might imagine, although I’d advise your shopping around. Vehicle compliance to meet your local safety and emissions regs would be another matter that you might want to check into…
If a car is older than 25 years importing into the usa is very easy, as long as the necessary paperwork is present.
To title the car in most states (except, of course CA) you will need:
-De-Registration
-Translation of De-Registration
-Bill of Sale
-Customs importation paperwork ( does not have to be stamped)
Shipping to the west coast is approx. $1.200.–
I have done it many times.
It may very well be the case if the car is unaltered. But if the car has been altered then my understanding (admittedly based upon one recent attempt to import a 1965 Corvair without its original engine) is that it is a nightmare.
Interesting comments as well as better pics on the ” SPEEDHUNTERS website. It’s worth the click over to their website.
What makes me think this is a Fiero kit? Who puts a Sparco racing seat in a Lamborghini?
I saw one cruising down one of Tokyo’s narrow streets a few years ago. Not a good environment for one of these.
Date code on the tires look to be from 1997!
Tires from 2000 and onwards have a four digit DOT code, the first two indicating the week of production, the latter indicating the year. Before 2000 it was a three digit code as seen here with only the last digit indicating the year, so the tires are either 1987 or 1997 (probably the latter).
Spot on, Mars2878 – I had to learn this same trick last summer, as I was trying to authenticate a 1990 Citroen 2CV. The 3-digit tire code made a definitive answer difficult.
Great comments! Now you all have me thinking about importing a car from Japan.
You know this is a kit car right?
Those look like real watanabe wheels not rotas. I’d almost say they’re period correct. I like them.
And you checked the vin right?…
yet no one mentions the red duct tape on the drivers headlight
Looks like it was ridden hard and put away wet. A freind of mine recently bought and imported a Lexus 08 or 09 bought it for under 5k less than 60 kilometres on it, in beautiful condition. By the time it reached Calgary he was in it for about 7k. He had to have it inspected, one side window had to be replaced it wasn’t factory glass, and a new set of tires had to be installed. He is in it for under 10k, new it would have been over 50k currently it’s worth at least 30k. He has told me over there if your wealthy you don’t want to be in some thing older then 3 years. If your not wealth you can’t afford the rode tax on these bigger cars with v8 engines. So after they are 3 year old nobody wants them and they can be bought dirt cheep. I would expect that this Lamborghini could be had and imported for around 10k. Nobody over there wants it.
Poor panel fit, paint that looks like it was paddled on, I’m not thinking this is a real Lamborghini.