Very rarely do I wish I had six figures worth of idle cash to blow on a project. But this is one of those times, as I have followed the build of this absolutely insane Lamborghini Countach tribute for years, going back to when I was in my early 20s and the crazy “basement Lamborghini” popped up as a forum post on a website called The Car Lounge. The build was incredibly intricate and more than that, astoundingly accurate, leaving the question as to why you’d fork out all the extra cash for the real thing. The original builder did indeed construct the car in his basement, taking 17 years to complete and culminating with the demolition of one side of his basement to remove the Lamborghini. Now, it’s listed here on eBay with bids to $76,900 and the reserve unmet.
The name Ken Imhoff will likely ring a bell to anyone that has followed this build. Ken was the (clearly) Type A individual who created this stunning replica, spending 17 years going down the basement after dinner and making progress, but admittedly learning along the way and occasionally having to take a few days off or a few steps back before digging back into his decidedly obsessive build. The Countach is believed to be authentic in almost every way, including the dimensions, with the only deviation being (obviously) a more practical engine choice versus trying to track down a real-deal Lamborghini Countach mill. The replacement engine is nothing to sneeze at, however.
Now, I understand “authentic” is a bit subjective in this case, as Ken did take some creative licenses where necessary. But overall, the level of attention paid to the original is darn impressive. Some of the specs include the following: hand-formed aluminum body, mimicking a European-specification Lamborghini Countach 5000S; all-tube space frame; some real Lamborghini parts, including the windshield, parking lights, and taillights; custom BBS wheels with hand-made center sections; Wilwood brakes; Pantera shifter and linakge; and a Boss 351 engine with a Probe 377 C.I. stroker kit, among many other enhancements. Obviously, the interior isn’t nearly as finished as the real car, but it’s still better than most replicas.
The engine features Crower pushrods and S.S. roller rockers with S.S. HiFlow Manley valves; ported and polished heads and a Hall Pantera Weber manifold; 48 IDA downdraft Webers built by Inglesse; and much, much more. So you may be wondering why sell it after 17 years of your life spent obsessing over the thing? Well, it seems from a few different accounts, Ken didn’t enjoy using the car as much as one might expect, to the point he noticed surface rust beginning to form on it. So he sold it, and rumors at the time indicated he got $89,000 or thereabouts for it after it was a no-sale on eBay. Since the buyer was supposedly in Florida and the car is listed for sale in Miami, it seems likely that’s what happened – the question is now, will the market bring an even stronger result for an incredibly authentic one-off tribute car.
OH man. This is truly a 1 of 1. Does anyone have a link to his old website that featured his efforts building this? There are a million articles out there on Ken and his car, but I can’t find his site anymore.
This video overview is pretty good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMQma4xH3lk
If the car was designed by Eric Clapton, he would have got sued. That man has no sense of humor. Hopefully Lambo is more understanding. Maybe he sold it because he didn’t want to end up like Gibbs did after all those years building the boat in his basement.
I’d Dive It Like I Stole It.
In Miami!
Who could have guessed?
If he had copied a Ferrari, it would have been sued out of existence by now.
Sued for what? What he done is no different than what most every Harley Enthusiast does when they build and identical-looking Harley-Davidson. They use an S&S engine or revtech, sometimes Harley frames are aftermarket. If they want to slap a Harley-Davidson decal on it oh, there’s nothing they can do and it goes to resell except the ads they put ‘composite’. This guy’s ad says replica, so it’s the same thing. He’s not selling it as an authentic Lamborghini. No laws broken.
Word is his reserve is $175,000 — so he is going to own it for a while.
The driver and the passenger share the same narrow space in the front?
Over hyped dust buster with wheels.
Wow, you’re a real ray of sunshine, aren’t you?
Sooo wish he’d used a BMW or Jag V12! Otherwise Spectacular! Pantera power still righteous thanks for the write up. Dam!
Or at least add a couple more webers! ;)
Awesome car a lot of work and money I was considering it but the interior is not my cup of tea so this would be a pass for me.
Dust buster on wheels
We heard you the first time, Chief.
Wow nice, also has a repo. GT40 and a Bricklin, and over 2,200 other items listed for sale.
Ended:
Feb 18, 2022
Current bid:
US $100,100.00
[ 117 bids ]
Reserve not met
Located in:
Miami, Florida
Didn’t enjoy driving it…. well, I hope he enjoyed building it. For some people it’s more about the journey, so perhaps building it was enough.
I recall a chap I met at a TR Register meeting who spent years on a concours TR6 resto. I asked him how he liked driving it, and the answer was he didn’t, he preferred his TR4, and he was going to sell the TR6. No way could he hope to recoup those many many hours.
Before you start on a project, better be sure you’re going to enjoy the car when you finish it.
Hats off though to anyone who actually has the skill and stickability to complete a project like this.