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In the 1960s, Lamborghini had achieved the pinnacle of car design with the svelte Muira designed by Bertone. Some say it is the most beautiful car ever built. But by the time 1971 came along, Lamborghini needed something to wow the soul of sports car buyers everywhere and the result was another Bertone masterpiece: the Countach.
Built using aircraft grade aluminum over a hollow space frame, the car was instantly popular with its irresistible styling and power. While its angles and squared off surfaces were contrary to the swells and curves Miura, the design was no less striking. The original Countach LP400 evolved through four years to the Lamborghini Countach 500S (or 5000S in North America). The car had so many aero accoutrements, it seemed to have more in common with the Lear jet than with any creation from Detroit to Modena and had captured the imagination of most sports car enthusiasts.
Brought to life here by Kyosho in ravishing red with black interior, the model is as captivating as the real car. The profile and stance seem right especially the cat-like profile. The exception to this would be the rear tire track – the wheel wells were flared to accommodate the massive Pirelli P7 tires, yet these tires (unmarked) look slightly anemic.
The famous scissor doors open to a well appointed interior. Notice the unique window rollups (yes rollups Lamborghini being about power and speed, not luxury). Trunk and engine compartment open, though I wish there was a prop to hold rear bonnet in an open position as Kyosho has twisted up an excellent replication of the legenday mid-engine V-12. The wire (especially the yellow bindles), logo valve covers and detailed engine block are particularly striking. The front boot, however, opens to reveal a lump of an electrical system atop the spare that is held in by an exposed metal screw.
The rear lighting and hidden front headlights (which pop open using a trigger accessed from the chassis) are well done and the screens and grilles are real. But for all these touches the model does have some weird misses, such as the famous Lamborghini logo on the front valance that looks like a black and yellow splotch, a missing door sill on the passenger side and brake detail that we’ll generously characterize as lacking.
But despite the flaws, none terribly obvious, Kyosho has done a great job scaling this legendary exotic supercar to 1:18 scale. It looks great and the detail in most cases is more than adequate. It is a dramatic representation of this famous, iconic model.
(07/26/2007)
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