Ken Imhoff, an engineer and Lamborghini enthusiast, was so captivated by the Lamborghini Countach after watching Cannonball Run that he decided to build one himself. Instead of saving for years to buy his dream car, Imhoff took matters into his own hands—literally—by spending 17 years handcrafting a Countach from scratch in his basement.
Starting the project in the 1990s, Imhoff meticulously crafted every part of the car, from the frame to the body panels, often improving on the original design. His passion and attention to detail made the finished product as close to a real Lamborghini as possible. The car, built entirely out of aluminum and resting on a custom-made steel tube frame, weighs just 2,400 lbs and closely mirrors a 1982 Euro-spec Lamborghini Countach LP5000S.
The project was no easy feat. Imhoff used an English wheel to shape the aluminum body on a wooden buck, while the engine was a Ford Cleveland Boss 351, stroked to 377 cubic inches and producing 514 horsepower. With custom BBS wheels, a ZF 5-speed transaxle, and racing-grade components like Wilwood brakes, the car is both a work of art and an engineering marvel.
However, after 17 years of dedication, there was one final challenge—how to get the car out of his basement. Imhoff had to dig a ramp out of his house to extract the full-size supercar.
Imhoff’s journey showcases the power of passion, patience, and craftsmanship, resulting in a custom Lamborghini Countach that looks, sounds, and performs like the real thing.
Steven Symes