Things I always wanted – January 2nd 2009
Friday, January 2nd, 2009I know this isn’t a Tuesday or a Thursday but what’s the saying? A day late and a dollar short… or something. Anyway I have been sick with a stomach flu since new years eve so I spent a great deal of time horizontal, actually, I just ate my first meal of 2009 a few hours ago. But while lying around I did get a chance to think of today’s thing I always wanted. The Lamborghini Countach.
This car was the postercar (literally) for anyone male (and some females) born anywhere around 74 to 84. I still have die cast models and posters of this car up in my room at my dads place, and had a few remote control cars of it over the years as well.
This car was regularly featured in movies, tv shows, and promotions until they mid 90s. Even Barbie had one (what did Ken drive though?).
The car had quite a few distinctive features which made it timeless and desirable, low cheese wedge design, insanely wide rear tires, 345s (your average car has 195s), a v-12 motor and the iconic scissor doors.
Funny enough, while I have sat in 2 replicas (one I helped build) I don’t think I have ever been within spitting distance of a real one.
But working on the replica made a few practicality issues about this car very clear.
The first, rear visibility is pretty much non existent due to the kick ass wedge shaped design, try finding the rear window in the image below and you will get a good idea of what I mean.
Backing out one of these bad boys meant opening the door and sitting on the door sill while working the pedals on the inside. Pretty unorthodox, but you gotta go what you gotta do, can’t always drive forward.
The second issue is that as you look while driving a Countach it is extremely difficult to look cool getting into or out of a Countach. Due to the low height of the car and the door design you basically fall into, and roll out of them. If you happen to be over weight.. well…
But impracticality issues aside the car was still named number 3 on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1970s and number ten on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s by Sports car International, and is still something I always wanted.
Here are some pop culture Countach’s to finish this post out.
Miami Vice (note trying to get in while looking cool)
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker from the Transformers
Judge Dredd Future concept
