Tubular Frame Replica: 1984 Lamborghini Countach

I’m pretty sure that every Barn Finds reader has seen a vehicle where the builder has tried to create a replica of some outrageously expensive exotic. They are typically based on pretty mundane underpinnings, meaning that the dimensions are often wrong. The result is usually a vehicle that doesn’t do its inspiration justice, and that potential buyers will avoid like the plague. However, this 1984 Lamborghini Countach Replica could be an exception to that rule. It sits on a custom tubular frame that has allowed its creator to perfectly replicate every dimension of the iconic Italian supercar. It runs and drives, but needs someone to finish a project that should provide an exhilarating driving experience.

As the seller rightly states, many Countach Replicas are built on stretched underpinnings from a Pontiac Fiero. That approach makes sense because the Pontiac possesses roughly the right drivetrain configuration. However, these builds rarely work perfectly, and many examples look squashed or out of proportion. This car is different because the fiberglass body sits on a bespoke tubular steel frame that is dimensionally correct. It doesn’t look knock-kneed or squashed, with this build also appearing to feature the correct lights and badges. My only criticism surrounds the panel gaps in some spots, although I suspect that some tweaking might improve the situation. It is also worth noting that this classic is wrapped, not painted. Therefore, performing a color change would be a piece of cake if the winning bidder isn’t attracted to the existing White. The wheels are recreations of the factory Lamborghini alloys and are probably the exterior’s weakest point. The dish isn’t correct, although the diameter and width are. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the rears are wrapped in the enormous 345/35 ZR 15 Pirelli tires that were one of the original car’s defining exterior features. Genuine enthusiasts will undoubtedly identify exterior details that scream that this Countach is a Replica, but the average person on the street would struggle to tell the difference.

The 1984 Lamborghini Countach LP500S featured a 4.8-liter mid-mounted V12 producing 290hp and 260 ft/lbs of torque in American trim. Those ponies were fed to the road via a five-speed manual transaxle, allowing the Countach to cover the ¼-mile in 14.4 seconds on its way to 150mph. Those figures are fairly impressive for the period but are well short of what similar exotics produce today. The V12 might have had a menacing snarl, but it could also savage an owner’s wallet when the time came for maintenance. However, this Replica is a different matter. It features a mid-engine layout and a five-speed transaxle, but maintenance costs will be far lower. The seller selected a 5.7-liter Corvette Crate Motor of 1988 specifications. That means it should deliver at least 245hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque. The transaxle is from a Porsche and should handle the small-block’s mumbo with no stress. The Countach features enormous four-wheel disc brakes, independent suspension, and a Borla exhaust to provide an excellent bass rumble. It is worth noting that the Corvette could match the Lamborghini’s performance off the showroom floor, and since the Replica is believed to be lighter, it could be even faster. The seller indicates that this has been a long build and that every mechanical component is new. They have only driven the car around the block a few times for testing, meaning the entire drivetrain has accumulated under 200 miles. It is unclear what is required to achieve a roadworthy state, but it appears the winning bidder can commence that process from a solid foundation.

The theme set by the White exterior continues when we examine the interior. Every upholstered surface features that shade in luxurious leather. There are a few fine details that reveal the truth about this car’s lineage, with the lack of a gated shifter the most obvious. There are details with the gauges and other small items, but it is fair to say that it is above average for a build of this type. This is another aspect of the Countach requiring finishing touches, but there are no major tasks to tackle. The air conditioning requires Freon and a few loose wires are hanging down. However, it appears it will take more time than money to whip the interior into shape.

You could wander out today and buy yourself a genuine 1984 Lamborghini Countach because there are currently a few listed for sale. However, prices are eye-watering, with figures above $500,000 fairly typical. You would then face some crippling maintenance costs because these Italian exotic require intensive TLC to remain roadworthy. The seller listed this Replica here on eBay in Woodland Hills, California. A single bid of $45,000 has surpassed the reserve, meaning it will head to greener pastures in a few days. This might not be the genuine article, but it is one of the better attempts I have seen. Is that enough to convince you to pursue it further, or will you await the elusive lottery win that would allow you to climb behind the wheel of a real Countach?