WIP: Tamiya Lamborghini Countach

It's about time for me to start my Super Seven- after all, if I'm going to host this party, I have to attend! But, I've sworn to finish something else (anything else!) that I previously started first. The F40 and Mythos aren't going to be done this month. :disappoin The 360 is being held up for a brake job. So, time to take on another of the long forgotten builds that has been shuffled around the back of my bench for years and years- something I can finish up quick!

This is Tamiya's Lamborghini Countach LP500 kit.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2213/1212145ey2.jpg

Something of an oldie but goodie. I can't find a copywright on it, but I believe it is only Tamiya's sixth 1/24 car kit (and they're past 300 or something now?), from back when they motorized everything. Decent kit, but definately dated (perhaps like the Countach itself nowadays- anyone else remember when this was the hottest car ever?).

I can't really say how long I've had this one 'in progress'. I think I found the kit about seven years ago, and probably started it soon thereafter. And didn't get very far with it, for whatever reason. :dunno: I've been feeding my addiction for CobraColors lately- and it occured to me that I never really did paint this one- so it got declared a learning project. :grinyes:

I'd been meaning to keep this one close to out of the box, but that doesn't mean I could let it go totally unmolested. :rolleyes: To start off, I decided that the wing had to go. For many years that wing and those swing up doors made the Countach the ultimate dream car for ten year old boys the world over. But I've aged a bit since then, and now find it really rather gaudy. It also completely ruins one of the car's nicest aesthetic features- the gentle downcurve of the back deck. So, hack that damn thing off- really just a matter of taking off the wing supports and sanding them smooth. I wasn't thrilled about the fit of the engine lid, and decided to glue it in place so the seams could be filled and rescribed. Tamiya includes a 'facade' engine- just the carbs and valve covers. But that's about all that can really be seen of the Countach's engine with the lid open anyway. I did sand thin and open all the engine deck mesh grilles.

I've also been curious if BMF applied on logos before body paint could be successfully revealed afterwards. The logos on the back end are nicely engraved, so I decided to give it a try.

Here's the back end of the body, liberally slathered with MoonMud. The BMFed logos were cleaned off with a toothpick soaked in 99% isopropyl alcohol.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5716/1181883ov2.jpg

Now for paint. Even when I first started it, I always knew this one was going to wind up black. Partially because I think it gives the Countach a nice subtle look, but really more because Taimya cut a bit of a corner in molding the body. There's no space at all between the window surrounds on the A pillars. If you do the body in something other than black, you either wind up skipping the surrounds, or there's no body color on the pillar- either way, it's going to look strange. So, black it is- but it doesn't absolutely have to be plain black. I chose CobraColors Lambo Nero Osyris Pearl. Yeah, so it's a Gallardo exclusive color (Leon doesn't have any Countach specific colors! :uhoh:), but at least it's a Lambo color- and it looks coool. So, here's the body....

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/6345/1212141ox9.jpg

I did the fenders in flat black (together with the mirrors and airscoops) for some contrast and visual interest.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9269/1212126ql8.jpg

The nose decal was taken from Hasegawa's Jota (which has a number of extras)- the original kit decal wasn't well printed.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/546/1212132hd5.jpg

And here's the back end, with the logos revealed. I cleaned the body color off before I clearcoated. So it can be done- I'm happy with the results.

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8018/1212137xd8.jpg

There, I'm off and running. I've been tempted to do a Klutz_100 style speed build- or at least my best attempt at it. I don't know if I can manage an update every day or to finish it in a week, but I'll try. :rolleyes:

Looking good so far MPWR, can't wait to see the final product!

wow. definitely an oldie but goodie!

The Countach is one of my favorite lamborghini's. I have been interested in trying the BMF for scripts but have not had a chance. Seeing how well it worked for you i think i will have to try that on my next kit. Is looking great so far and am anxious to see it completed.

off to a good start Sir!!!

DaveT

It may not be a Countach color but that Lamborghini black pearl still looks great on it. Nice progress!

The clock is ticking...... ;)

I think you were right to adios the rear wing. How did you tackle removing the CC paint from the BMF?

I like the flat black/pearl black contrast. Also, I don't quite understand how the BMF is applied? It looks really good!

Winston

another build to watch!

Looking super, cant wait to see the interior.
Euan

Very nice!
What! it's not done yet!
I know how you feel, I'm in a 'just finish anything' mode too.

Bella macchina!

Looks great... Lambo is everything!

Bella macchina!
Not: macchina fantastica!!!

Really a great start, and fiuuuuw at least you haven't choose some green or brown for it :naughty::grinyes::evillol: Not really: awesome.

I don't know if someone of you seen one from naked eyes but it's a perplexing experience: she is tremendous low and haven't any common thing whith all other cars: I'm sure our dear Marcello Gandini done his masterwork (with the Stratos) with those. I love almost all Lambos but Countach! (as say the name a kind of surprised, astonished) is something special. And i'm sure you'll render she justice :)

Nice start!!

Beautiful work, Andy! As a ten-year-old boy, I idolized Lamborghinis, especially the Countach, until I thought no other car could ever be as incredible. I know you will do justice to the car this boy once loved!

Thanks for the responses everyone!

winstona- I applied the BMF to the whole back panel before I primed. everything between the taillight cutouts and the upper and lower edges is underlaid with a single piece of BMF.

Klutz_100- I cleaned off the paint the same way I cleaned off the primer- sharpened toohpick soaked in isopropyl.

Gionc- Green or brown, huh? Interesting....:rolleyes:

OK, I haven't managed daily updates. I didn't get as much chance to work on it over the weekend, but the interior has gotten some attention.

I'm doing a light grey and black scheme. I painted out the tub, added some BMF details and gave it a set of KlutzCarpets. This is the only way I do flocking now- if you haven't seen Stevenski's How-to, it's totally worth trying.

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/9747/1212147se1.jpg

The interior is really pretty simple. There are a few details like pedals that are missing, but nothing that is going to be particularly obvious after final assembly. One of the real highlights of the kit is individually molded window hand cranks!

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/6135/1212146ws7.jpg

I wish more kits had them done as separate parts!

Here's the dash- straight kit part with a paint job.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6940/1212148bb3.jpg

I decided to go ahead and date this beautiful pinacle of 70's technology with a period appropriate looking chromed stereo head unit. I covered it with BMF and painted the recesses. Eight track or auto reversing casette? You decide. No carbon fibre faceplate here! :grinno:

Seats, again box stock.

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/4514/1212150xq0.jpg

Here it is all put together. the kit came with two steering wheel options, including this tiny but very sporty looking little Momo. The other is a larger and more 'mundane' looking Momo, but I like the sculptured grips on the small one. :smokin:

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/913/1212151yw4.jpg

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/503/1212152zc3.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/152/1212153rc9.jpg

Thanks for watchin'!

Oh my, you can do something in dare I say "stock" form, except for the wing.. Which I agree needed to leave. :)

Nice work dude.

Who are you, and what have you done with MPWR?! There should be at least... ten times more scratchbuilding!

In all seriousness, it's looking great, and it shows that you don't have to own a mill/lathe to make quality models. :)

In all seriousness, it's looking great, and it shows that you don't have to own a mill/lathe to make quality models. :)

Totally agree. It shows that there is still something to learn from without owning a lathe...

I have to try out that BMF technique one day...

Winston

Looks good!

I just can't believe that they didn't include a cup holder in that interior...:shakehead :smokin:

it's looking great, and it shows that you don't have to own a mill/lathe to make quality models. :)
True, althou I would be happy with glee if I did have a lathe. The interior is excellent, clean as a whistle. You really dont need all the bells and whistles and aftermarket goodies, just a person who knows what he/she is doing and this interior shows it.

...and it shows that you don't have to own a mill/lathe to make quality models.
But he DOES own a lathe!! :D ;)

Love it! Wish icould build/paint so well in 'record time'!!
There is a white one in my neighbour hood. Seeing one is one thing. Hearing it.........

There were two blacks used by lamborghini in the 1980's,

Black 224,521 (Metallic)
Nero Tenebre 21554,2467026 (solid)

I'm sure that one of thes would have been used on the Countach.

I can of course mix any of these up If required. Just oirder through my website.

Cheers,

Paul.

great progress, I really like the rear end though! :)

:iceslolan the interior looks really well done!