ARTIFACTS: Fifth ever in the Tamiya Sports Car series
A new acquisition, Tamiya’s 1/24 scale LP400 Countach. The original Countach, and one of the first model kits of the venerable series. I grew up with these kits, and they remain my singular favorite childhood “toy” and object for nostalgia. As for the Countach, it was the supercar I obsessed over as a kid in the ‘80s. Supercar is not something I have much interest in these days, but looking back now, the Countach still mesmerizes me. That side profile so masterfully illustrated on the Tamiya box above, it still looks so perfectly exotic, original, and awe-inspiring.
This kit is the fifth one in Tamiya’s Sports Car series, one of the original issues. Originally released circa 1978, this particular example was manufactured no earlier than ~1987, as the inside packaging and instructions sported Tamiya’s discreet advertisement for the Testarossa and 959. Nevertheless, it was made in Japan, replete with the divider card inside the box and all the motorizing parts – signature of period Japanese model kits. This being one of the earliest kits of the series, the motor used was a Mabuchi RE-140 rather than the later ubiquitous FA-130.
This kit is a charming piece of Tamiya history, with many details that diehard geeks of Tamiya and Japanese model kits would dig. Unfortunately, it’s not in mint condition. The box has some visible stains and tears, and some of the parts have detached from the sprue. Nevertheless, nothing about the model kit itself is broken…save for decals that are 30+ years old. I’m considering building it, though most likely it’ll get mothballed.
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