Jay Leno says he drove his Lamborghini Countach daily for years. It can’t be all that bad, right?

Top Gear is part of it. James May and Jeremy Clarkson always joked that the Countach handled like a truck.

I love that Doug hasn't discovered note cards or an iPad...and instead hold his laptop in one hand because his thoughts are that detailed.

That Countach is a thing of beauty - a real work of art. And Doug’s explanation of all the misconceptions about it is really enlightening. Speed is really overrated in this age of EVs, whereas the experience of driving an ageless classic is definitely not.

Old super cars are like the robots in Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland, you couldn't replace them with new technology or screens. They have the old timey charm.

This is exactly how I feel driving late 60s and early 70s muscle cars with big carbureted engines, heavy clutches, and thundering exhausts. There's something about the raw experience that newer performance cars cannot replace.

It probably comes from that one Top Gear segment where it's about never meeting your heroes and the Countach was prominently featured it in it :).

Drive it to Nantucket

Auto journalists in the '80s said the ergonomics are atrocious, the clutch pedal is ridiculously heavy, and the fit and finish were terrible. Maybe the people who approach Doug with the shade read Car and Driver and Road & Track back in the day?

James May reviewed the Lamborghini Countach LP400S comparing it to the Ferrari Boxer. Despite praising its styling and madness, he was appalled by how difficult it was to drive. Id say thats where a lot of these opinions started.

Doug hit the nail on the head with this video. Same feelings I have about my ‘17 F-Type R. It’s not the most comfortable, it’s not the fastest, it’s not the best handling. But no other modern car better grasps that gentlemanly British embrouchure with such flowing lines and dramatic exhaust note. And that’s why I’m in love with it. Every time I get in is an experience.

Doug is the type of guy to NOT take his Countach to the grocery store...but he might swing by the Home Depot.

Doug - you have hit it right on the head. I have been fortunate to own several Countach’’s over the past 30 years, including a Periscopa, a downdraft 88 1/2, and two Anniversaries (as well as a Miura S, Espadas, Jarama, Diablos, and a Urracco - among other vintage Italians - not all at once!). And I have driven most of these for thousands of miles. It IS about the experiences that you have with them. They are works of art, but you must drive them to get the full experience. They are not fast at all by today’s standards. Electric cars have won that game, no question, but that’s not the point. The driver engagement required in driving these is exciting, to say the least. To your own heritage - they have many, many “quirks and features”. The Countach always generates a conversation, for example, when you stop to get gas. Think about it - it was a phenomenon when it was introduced in 1974. I strongly believe if the Countach, just as it was presented in 1974, were introduced TODAY, it would be viewed as a phenomenon. And…I love the Lamborghini origin story - it may just be a myth - but successful tractor maker Ferruccio telling Enzo that the clutch in his car was crap and Enzo throwing him out of his office and Ferruccio responding by building his own car. Ya gotta love it. The other thing is that Lamborghini cars were never fully developed - always put cars into production too soon, always near to or in bankruptcy - so there is some fettling, at the very least, typically that needs to be done if the car has not been thoroughly gone through. Finally, George Evans is “the man” on these cars -well done, Doug in having him get your car in shipshape. Enjoy it!

Glad you are enjoying it Doug! You are "living the dream" for a lot of aging car nerds out here in KZfaqland so keep doing it with your characteristic joie de vivre.👍

On a separate note-RIP Gandini. He died just a month and half ago.

Doug is the type of guy that can make a school bus from 1950 interesting. 😅 Love his videos

Nobody: Not even a single soul: Doug in the next few months: Selling my Lamborghini Countach on CARS & BIDS!

I know Doug is referring to material for this, but it’s the best explanation and promotion of what the Countach embodies

Doug is the type of guy to make a video about how he loves driving his Countach, but not drive it in the video.

Doug is the type of guy to ask people what their quirks and features are when interviewing someone to work at cars and bids

Always look forward to another chance to hear Doug point out how other people are 'wrong.'

Don't know about driveability, but I saw Hoovie almost standing up with the door open to back it up.

Doug normally complains about all of these things when reviewing older cars… 🙄

I know Harry Metcalfe loves his Countach and has even done videos of his long road trips in it. I'd certainly have one if I had money.

It truly is driving art. Such an amazing car all around. I hope to have a round belly, white countach just like yours, eventually.

doug, i think we would all appreciate a pov driving video in the countach

When asked what I’d buy if I won the lottery, the Countach is always my first answer.

Doug’s evil villain lair* echo is an impressive opener

Chapters are on drugs

Army of one Dolph Lungren has this car and the f40 ferrari, so cool

When I was a child growing up in Sacramento,California during the 90’s and 2000’s there was a man who lived by my grandmothers house in the Pocket/Greenhaven area. He drove an 80’s countach, I would see him out driving it occasionally with his son but most of the time I saw him pushing it home with his son after it had broke down. Always liked the way the cat looked though.

The last time I came this early I still had to pay for the full hour

My father had a QV which he swapped for an Anniversary and finally a Diablo SV. Without the power steering, the early cars were hard work especially at low speeds, hence the truck comments. A/C is also rubbish, which limits how far you can comfortably travel in the car. And do close the door to hard as window will shatter as I found out. The hard way. Diablo is a lot more resolved and just as much theatre...

I sat in the drivers seat once and I’m amazed you can even fit in it, let alone enjoy driving it.

9:39 - I'd bet good money that on more than one occasion, Doug has indeed driven his Countach to the grocery store.

Everyone interested in this car should watch " It Takes Two" from the 80s This move NAILS perfectly the feelings about this car for many at the time 🤣🤣

I feel the same about my BMW 2002. Its slow (100hp), doesnt have power anything, only 4 gears, no ac, no radio, no rear seatbelts (for my kids). It super impractical. But, man it gives a wonderful driving experience. 2200lbs and awesome chassis dynamics make it a blast in the canyons (what I bought it for) and I love how it looks.

So, what makes the Countach fun to drive (sound and attention) is the same thesis that applies to an econo box with a straight pipe, custom rims and lower suspension?

4:52 That's why I love my Marea weekend turbo, it's exclusive, they only manufact about 1000 units, it requires a lot of care from the owner, oil occasionally leaks , it has tremendous lagging but, when the turbine fills up The beautiful sound of the 5cc 20v engine growls, it's worth it

This Countach really needs several rear and side facing cameras and all the complaints about blind spots would go away. That wing is a perfect place for two cameras, one on each side. And one centered, center of the rear bumper. Each mirror staulk can house a mirror and, hell with it, you might as well add a front facing mirror to add a complete recordable package to protect the car and the owner from liability for others actions. This is not expensive today and it instantly lowers the cost of insuring the car. I would love to own this car. It is a legend. With all the supercar problems that go with that. I would defintely fit the cameras on this car. Doug could inspire a great company, willing to sponsor that, to showcase the work they do, to hide those cameras all over the car. Great car.

Another point to the drivability of it, I think people who have driven it and say it drives like a truck possibly haven’t driven it when it’s fully up to temp and stuff. Matt Farah talked about it, saying that’s why you can’t just get in and take it for a short drive, it takes like 30 or 40 minutes for everything to be operational. The bushings and cats and engine and transmission and diff and everything take so much longer than a normal car to get up to temperature and work correctly

Ive obviously never driven either but based on everything i have ever seen in reviews, hearing that "the Countach drives at least as good as an F40" kind of caught me wayyy off guard.

That echo is intense, sounds like your in a dungeon or bomb shelter. Since it's just you talking why not go someplace with better acoustics, like your bathroom.

One of the most iconic vehicle of our time!

OG LP400 is way more beautiful than later models. All that additional spoilers and panels feels like a cheap aftermarket body kit. Can you remove them if you want?

The driving position isn't, shall we say, optimal. Especially, for taller drivers like yourself. Head tilted to one side and a bit of a snug (especially the seat) fit in all directions. The "driving experience"...mechanics of shifter, brakes, clutch is all supposed to be pretty darn good. Gandini wouldn't drive one of these and said so. Lambourghini's Countach is the automotive analogue of an oversized codpiece.

Love your videos!

7:54 basically how cyber trucks fans talk about the cyber truck

Doug defending the Countach essentially makes the case for the Miata. ✔

I feel the same way about my 2001 regular cab imperial jade mica green V6 Toyota Tundra. I’m driving art.

Would love to see Doug and Hoovie do side by side comparisons of their Countaches

This is exactly why people don't understand the Hellcat experience. Yeah it's a boat but have you ever driven a big block or twin engine boat? It's AAAAAMAZING! Its a fun driving experience at its very core!

Great run down Doug..and SPOT on, esp what you say about speed. Speed is now soo common, soo accessible - although the Countach was crazy back in it's day though and from the KZfaq owners vids Ive seen, the 455HP 5.2 QV downdraughts are actually a reasonably fast car, even by modern standards) There is indeed NOTHING like it, it provides a sensory experience thaat cannot be replicated.

Doug totally gets the experience and bro, enjoy the living hell out of it. You earned it!!!

Dougs angles on the car are as wonderful as the ones found on the car itself.

If only I was able to have purchased one when they were cheaper. This WAS this poster car for me and many many Gen X’rs. Doug isn’t old enough to remember this love of the Countach but good on him for appreciating it and being in a position to preserve one. I was able to own a few of my dream cars but the Countach is simply unreachable now.

No screens or nanny controls is the best experience. You control the car, not the car controlling you😮

Nice one Doug, I think it's absolutely brilliant. Good for you! Bravo! 👍👏👍

Very cool editorial on the legendary iconic Countach! Way to go Doug!👍

Motor Trend magazine Spring 2024 issue has their ten most iconic vehicles. The Countach is one of them.

I have a 2016 BMW 2 series. My buddy has a '68 Corvette Stingray that's 100 percent bone stock. My car has a 4 banger that sounds like a wounded dust buster. His has a 427 and it smells like burning oil. Mine would absolutely curb-stomp his 0-60 or in the corners, but if he ever wanted to sell his, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

i never get it when people say its slow. whats its 0-60 time? like 5 seconds? or 6? and top speed? 170 mph? maybe more? so its still faster than most cars. nobody says a Golf GTI ist slow, but is it faster? no...

I wish I could be excited about anything as much as Doug is about his Countach.

I'm so happy that you brought back the old format of Sunday afternoon videos.

Love this ❤ - Thanks Doug

My #1 dream car since I was a kid... that edition, that colour. Congratulations Doug, I am sure I will feel exactly the same like you👍🏼👍🏼

"the joy in this car, is in its impractically" - Doug is the type of guy to be a Zen Master.

This car is so close to Doug's heart and he knows so much about it that he had to write down his feelings about it...

Nicely said, Doug.

Gordon Murray says the same thing. Speed isn't everything. The experience is.

Doug thank you! This video perfectly encapsulates how I feel about my box truck.

Thank you for this! 🤗

Must say… one of your best video!!

doug the kind of guy to forget about the youtube video chapters from a previous video template

I can totally relate...I had a 70 charger rt, 440 with a 4 speed, and used to drive it daily. You don't have to go fast to enjoy the experience. Nothing beats the sound and feel of an older classic or exotic

Doug I would love it if reviewers would review cars based on what they were designed to do . I mean yes you could put 205-70- r17 tires on a S2000 and it would get a better driver comfort score but what is the point of . Also the way most cars are geared, one should evaluate the performance and power of a engine based on the last 3000revs before redline. The fact that a car engine that was not designed to deliver a lot of power at low rpm's should only be a factor if your driving a pickup truck that's going to used to yank stumps out of the ground right! Like you say , this car is great for what it was designed to do nothing more or less .

I completely get your feeling on the experience, it's awesome to see your excitement talking about it. While no where near as cool as a Countach, my 04 VW R32 gives me joy every time I drive it and I've owned it for 13 years so far. It ain't the fastest car by a long shot but the noises it makes are intoxicating. One day I hope to see your take on a R32 Doug.

The Contach was always my 80s fave but looking at that spoiler... argh.. Def needs one slightly thinner and more sleek

Fun review video Doug! We need your “fast songs” playlist! 👍😎👍

I fell in love with it when I seen it and had "the" poster with a very similar spec to Doug's on it that many will remember.

I was trained by a professional race car driver and HE said it was both his worst and favorite thing to drive. I've only driven one one, back when they used to rent them on Rodeo Dr. The brakes are hard and with no power steering and the shift gates are hard to do if not used to them. But you're correct, it's an experience.

You should do a video showing your driving experience on a fun back road and around town.

That Top Gear retrospective did a lot of damage. The fact that it was May who did it, did not help at all.

I LOVE how you can transmit the emotion while telling us why this car is so fun to drive. Man I FELT your joy. You're a legend Greets from Italy.

Doug, the type of guy to criticize classic car enthusiast while using all the same reasons people like them to justify a Countach.

I couldn't help but think of the Simpson's episode where Homer can't remember the name of the movie Speed.

I love driving the Countach in Assetto Corsa simulator. Its raw, good torque, amazing sound, heavy but rewarding and predictable handling. Its a blast to be honest. 😎

Doug it's alright. It sucks we get it.

This is the way to enjoy your car collection. It's to be used, experienced, even until total degradation. Respects, Doug.

I understand you Doug and I genuinly ENVY you

Your best video so far. And all the other ones are already great.

On point!!

"This isn't a Honda Civic." That brought a smile, a big one.

Thanks Doug for giving the Countach the praise it’s always deserved - iconic and legendary. Well said comparing speed to experience.

The countach will probably forever be among my most favorite exterior car designs. Probably in my personal top 3.

Great points, especially the experience you get from the car. I've driven plenty of cramped cars as well and as long as I can get my legs below the steering wheel I can drive it, what a shame about the current Mazda MX5, I couldn't get my legs below the steering wheel so I didn't bother to drive it, let alone buy it.

THANK YOU for illustrating driving experience Doug, Spot on Beautiful

Love how Doug just gets it, he makes me feel I am not the only car addict, or enthusiast lol

And THIS IS…. My 2021 Toyota Corolla LE (white color), made in Japan. I love it. 😁

You make an excellent point. If you have never driven one, much less owned one, your opinion about the experience doesn’t really count for much. I would imagine that driving around in anything with a gated manual is an enjoyable experience for a true car person.