Wow, we're completely overtaken by the accomplishment of Ken Imhoff who managed to build an amazing Lamborghini Countach replica from scratch in the basement of his own house! Ken's long journey began 17 years ago when he watched the original Cannonball Run movie. He became so obsessed with the Countach that he decided to spend time and money to create a working replica of the Italian supercar.
Working long-hours in the basement of his own home, Ken designed and fabricated a space frame, hand formed the aluminum body panels, created the characteristic Lambo doors, added a Corvette C4 suspension as well as a Boss 351 V8 engine mated to a ZF-5 speed manual gearbox. In other words, he did everything by himself from scratch! -Continued
Once he finished the car there was one itsy-bitsy problem; the fact that the faux Lambo was built in the basement meant that there was no conventional way to take it outside of the house... Well, if you've gone so far then unconventional problems request drastic solutions. An indeed Ken actually hired a contractor to take down a part of the basement wall, excavate the ground to create a ramp and then pull the car out on the road.
What else can we say other than that we have total respect for Ken and his passion and determination to materialize his dream. Unbelievable
Via: Jalopnik , Source: Ken Imhoff Engineering
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Holy Time-On-My-Hands Ken...awesome job!
Let's see now...how much time and money did Ken expend? Hmmm, I would have gone for the real thing after all was said and done. Bet his wife and kids feel the same way too!
A Lambo made of wood? Oh dear...
CK ~ not quiet the wood was for shaping the sheet metal...
Probably cheaper to have bought an old example and then fixed it. What he has is not a real Lambo and certainly not the real drivetrain. Plus the angles on the front fenders is off so it doesn't look that good. He should have created a one-off special of his own design, that would have been worth it.
I feel sorry for the naysayers who post their negativity here, I doubt they've ever created anything in their lives and their criticism is likely motivated by the empty unfulfilled places within themselves. Very said and unfortunate to find yourself in such a place.
As someone who spent much of my early life working on cars, mechanic and bodywork, I can tell you that there are few things in life that give you a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction then the act of creation. To envision an idea and then bring that concept to life with your own hands is an experience that is unequaled by any other in this life. It is perhaps the quintessential achievement of humankind, the ability to turn thought into reality.
I take my hat off to Mr.Imhoff, a true dreamer whose dream of motion has come to fruition for all of us to enjoy and appreciate.
Awesome! This guy should speak about his experience to auto buffs who just dream and don't do anything about it.
Ken, wherever you are, my hats off to you. You are an inspiration and you deserve an award. It is hard for me to imagine people like this exist. Just like the guy who built the Batmobile replica as well. When I win the lottery, I will hire these guys to make special cars.
Ken, dude, you friggin' ROCK!!!!
Naysayers...you ought to shut the fcuk up, cause that Lambo is the most reliable and most practical example of a Countach, replica as it may be that you will ever find. Maintenance on that car would be very easy. Buy an early example and it will be in the shop more than on the road.
To anonymous poster: Keep in mind that he started this project 17 years ago so it would not have been cheaper to "just buy an old example," furthermore go get some pictures of an original, I think you'll find the angles of the fenders are spot on. It's also a safe bet that a modern V8 can get the original 4.9 sec 0-60 job done. Mot least of all is the accomplishment itself. He hand fabricated and built a car. It's a nearly infathomable task in and of itself, not to mention he also has a wife, children and a home. Walk tall Ken Imhoff, walk tall indeed.
I'll bet it was a bitch getting the engine block, heads and drive train down into the basement. I wonder if Ken realized he was going to finish this project when he started it. This is a car that should be seen at car shows, because it shows what one determined person can accomplish when they set their minds to something.
I like that Ford V-8, with the classic velocity stacks and those headers. The 351 was once a popular choice for mid engine cars and could easily cranking out over 500 hp normally aspirated and over 700 supercharged. I've seen a few old Panteras that could rival most anything on the street or track today, with the quickness. I'll bet this car can really get. Once it's sorted out a bit I'd like to see it run against an original Countach, perhaps it could even beat it. :-)
Lamborghini Countach LP500S
Gotta Have It TV - Lamborghini Countach
I'd be interested to know how much it weighs, specifically in comparison to the car it was modeled after. And I'd like to see some more pictures of the bare frame.
Wow! That has to be the best article I have ever read about someone who built a car. Ken, you are my new personal hero. You are a bloody legend mate.
The car you built is to die for. Better than an original I would suspect. I am simply dumbfounded at your ability to create and your ability to stay focused on a project for 17 years.
What more can I cay. Bravo...
AT THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, I SALUTE YOU....... VERY NICE PIECE OF WORK YOU'VE DONE THERE.
You're the Man ken!
All my hair stood up after watching all those pictures from scratch to finish.
You can't just simply compare this to the original . This one is priceless!
Awesome job, Well done!
Excellent Work KEN..... inspirational indead....
i've built R/C cars and heard of life size kits, but this... amazing. and looks as good as the real thing. who knows, perhaps better.
i bet the handling will be better than the original cause i hear less people complainign about the C4 corvette than the original COuntach.
my hat is off to you.. great accomplishment, you should be admitted to Lamborghini's hall of fame...
you rock
Ron.
That is one hell of an achievement. To have the skill and know how to fabricate all the bodywork is just incredible. It really does look amazing and will probably go, and handle a lot better than the original. I know, I had one!
To the guy who said, "it's not a the original drive train". Well I think you'll find the ford V8 is more than a match. Lets face it, it has more racing pedigree than the lambo. You've got the Ferrari thrashing GT40, the Shelby Cobras, and the Lola to name but a few.
Well done Ken, enjoy the drive
thats my uncle!
this is simply and utterly awesome. I cannot even begin to think of all of the effort that went into just 1 square inch of the car. you are a legend, a living legend.
Imhoff, is that a polish name?
WOW. What more can be said but WOW. Mind Boggling to think it was built in a basement. And yes the pictures are comprehensive - start to finish... He must have an enormous sense of accomplishment from this. Lambo should celebrate him! Give the guy a gallardo or something! hehe well done Kenno!
now lamborghini will probably SUE the guy for making an unlicensed copy of a copyrighted product. happened before (ferrari sued a guy who made a stretch ferrari or something)
That was a STRETCH of a car, that he bought and changed, probably for getting himself some money. Now this, is a replica, you hear them doing all the time, and I didn't hear that anybody got sued because of that. There's a acura nsx based modena replica. Civic base M3 replica. Anybody got sued?
Not that I'd know.
I might've sounded a bit harsh here, but that's the way it is.
Aaron X: Thumbs up!:)
I'm sorry but all you people that are saying "he should have bought the real thing" and "it probably cost more to build that then to buy a real one" are fucking STUPID! Yea I'm sure it did cost more but HE BUILT IT HIMSELF! Him building it with his own 2 fucking hands makes it better then any other Lambo period. How many other people can say they built there own car by hand? Not only that but he built a LAMBO. "the front fenders are off" HAHA well maybe the front fenders are not perfect considering HE BUILT THE FUCKING THING BY HAND! Not even Lamborghini builds there cars by hand. Stop being assholes and give credit when it is due. I don't know about the rest of you but I would rather buy this car more then the real one even if it was the same price.
INCREDIBLE! This is my all time favorite car and I always dreamed of having one when growing up in the 80s.
Yes, this took more time and money than just buying one, but there's no substitute for the fabrication, and years worth of this man's life that went into creating this car from scratch. He took the idea of the car and customized it with the materials he had available and to his liking. I'm curious as to whether or not any actual Lambo parts were ordered like the taillights, etc.
Enjoy your car, sir. You've earned it!
Great Work!!, any idiot with a big enough wallet can buy anything, it takes real effort and dedication to stay on track of a 17 year project, congrats
My god, that's awesome. 17 years, hell, i'd be afraid to drive it. Same with parking and leaving it for more than a few minutes :F
I, hope Lamborghini will appreciate.
What an achievement !
I'm stunned..
Kudos Ken...
From Paris, France.
And then there is always that small problem of how to get it out of the basement that doesn't have a garage door.
This should go in the Smithsonian.
That's pretty great! Nice job, Ken.
My friend in high school was given a Countach in 1984 at age 16 from his parents. I can't think of anyone as far on the other side of the "deserving" spectrum as you. Awesome job, Ken! You deserve much more than the reward of owning that piece of art!
That is... absolutely incredible. A mammoth achievement. My hat and every other hat I can find in the vicinity of 20 kilometres goes off to you!
It must have been good fun to drive it for the first time :) It looks brilliant, too!
That's awesome! Looks great and I'm sure it's a blast to drive.
Sir you have a passion that is inspirational. Ignore the jealous comments, it's beautiful work of art! You are over the top car crazy! Barry Meguair move over..
Well done! I wonder what the total project cost was?
I must at least write something to congratulate you on this masterpiece, an almost impossible task and a dream come true. Slightly crazy but one of the most amazing creations I have ever seen! You sir are remarkable!
Wow. Just the one word to describe it. Wow.
The feeling of putting pen to paper then from that piece of paper to a complete car must be heavenly...that has got to be one of the most amazing stories I have ever heard, well done Ken. Bloody well done!!!
you people are crazy, cost more then a real one. lol ever looked up the cost of a real one. this might have taken a a millon to make if he payed people to do the work. but other then the engine, its all steal and alum. it has a 10k motor. so add that up 10k motor, 10 k in metal, 10 k in tools, 10k in other, labors free when you do it your self. thats only 40k. you find a lambo for 40k hell find one for 100k, then you will have to fix it. this one is new!
amazing work man. my only thing is I would have made my own seats. or found some that could pass as a stock seat. the momos look well... cheep in a car that well made. eaither way killer job!
This is just AMAZING. Heard the interview on the radio.
I happen to be a licensed Mechanic in Ontario, Canada, plus a welder / fitter.
You did a GREAT JOB !!
I have been builing a Monster 4 X 4 out of a rusted out 1968 Dodge Charger.
check out, www.CanadianDukes.com ,
everyone needs to have a dream.
take care,sincerely,
Paul.
Most people call replacing a headlight a project.
Some people have project cars.
This dude MADE his OWN car.
This guy has family, HE LIVES WITH???
Not to sound crude, But if any guys out there with a family knows How busy and hectic life can be. It's worse when your wife is not involved in making sure you reach your goals and dreams.
This guys family has to be the best I've seen in a while... From Holidays and so forth. Not giving up on your dream is hard.
He made his own car...
Dude I can't even get my volvo to idle right...
2 big thumbs up...
Thank you Ken for keeping the true car building hobby alive for not only all of us reading, but for your children to see first hand what alot(read endless at times, I well know!) of hard work, patience(and the required foul language to yourself for undertaking such a task, ha!) and determination can yield.
As a professional designer/fabricator of custom hot rods, I raise my glass to you in praise!
Scott Parker
So.Cal.
Way to go KEN !!!
I once rebuilt the engine of a 65 Mustang, and swapped out an Auto tranny for a 4-speed...but this work here ... another planet all together.
Nice work.
Amazing!
Congrats!
RickY
Ken, your the man! Only in America baby!
George
Wow, you've got to send this in to Motor Trend or Car & Driver or something. I would be surprised if they didn't devote an article to this accomplishment. An Italian beauty recreated into a practical sports car via good 'ol Yankee ingenuity.
Please post additional pictures of the car on the road.