Imagine the perfect Lamborghini Countach – sleek lines, scissor doors, and the unmistakable roar of an Italian V12. But what if instead of a Sant‘Agata-sourced powerplant, it had the beating heart of a Japanese luxury sedan? Enter the Toyota V12-swapped Lamborghini Countach clone – a fascinating fusion of Italian style and Japanese engineering.
That’s exactly what one South African kit car builder is doing. Gareth Bargate is swapping a Toyota 1GZ-FE V12 from a Century luxury sedan into his Lamborghini Countach replica. The engine may have covered enough miles (211,266 miles to be precise) to earn one of Toyota’s special high-mileage stickers, but it still shows good compression and oil pressure. This unconventional Toyota V12 engine swap promises to make this Lamborghini Countach clone stand out from other DIY supercars. But can a Japanese heart truly capture the essence of Italy’s most iconic wedge?
Comparing the Toyota 1GZ-FE and Lamborghini Countach V12s
To understand if this Toyota V12-swapped Lamborghini Countach clone will feel authentic, let’s compare the 1GZ-FE to the original Countach’s V12.
The Lamborghini Countach’s 5.2L V12 made 455 PS (449 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 500 N⋅m (369 lb-ft) of torque at 5,200 rpm in the 5000 QV. It had a 60° V angle, dual overhead cams, and breathed through six Weber carburetors. This gave it a raw, mechanical character and a spine-tingling wail at high RPMs.
In contrast, the Toyota Century V12 offers a 5.0L displacement, 48 valves, and makes 280 PS (276 hp) at 6,200 rpm and 460 N⋅m (339 lb-ft) of torque at 4,400 rpm. While still a V12, it’s a much more refined engine designed for smoothness and silence rather than outright performance.
| Specifications | Toyota Century V12 | Lamborghini Countach V12 |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 5.0L | 5.2L |
| Power Output | 280 PS (276 hp) at 6,200 rpm | 455 PS (449 hp) at 7,000 rpm |
| Torque | 460 N⋅m (339 lb-ft) at 4,400 rpm | 500 N⋅m (369 lb-ft) at 5,200 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 48 | 24 |
| Induction System | Naturally Aspirated | Naturally Aspirated |
| Camshaft Configuration | Dual Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) | Dual Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injection | Six Weber Carburetors |
The Toyota V12 makes 173 fewer horsepower than the Countach’s V12. It also likely has a very different powerband, with torque peaking 800 rpm sooner. The 1GZ-FE’s quadcams and higher valve count are more modern than the old-school carburetors, so it will have a very different intake sound.
Ultimately, the 1GZ-FE V12 engine will give this Toyota V12-Swapped Lamborghini Countach Clone a unique character. due to its refined nature, it won’t scream like an Italian V12 at 7,000 rpm or have the raw, unhinged feeling that made the original so special. The driving experience will also be very different than an authentic Countach.
The V12 Engine Is the Heart of a Lamborghini
When it comes to replicating the Countach experience, the body shape is only half the battle. The V12 engine is the real heart and soul of a Lamborghini.
Lamborghini’s V12s have always been more than just numbers on a spec sheet. They’re mechanical art pieces that stimulate all the senses. The way they look, the way they sound, even the way they smell – it’s an experience no other engine can replicate.
A genuine Sant’Agata V12 has a unique wail that sends shivers down your spine. It’s a raw, animalistic scream that’s simultaneously terrifying and addicting. Historically, Lamborghini V12s also had a very specific powerband – they made power way up in the rev range, encouraging you to wring them out for every last rpm. This gave them a very different character than an American V8 or a turbocharged German engine.
The Toyota 1GZ-FE is undoubtedly an impressive engine. It’s overbuilt, silky smooth, and makes great torque. The fact that Bargate’s engine shows good health after 200,000+ miles is a testament to Toyota’s engineering. In something like a luxury sedan or even a grand tourer, those would be desirable attributes. But in a Lamborghini, they’re the wrong qualities.
No matter how much power Bargate extracts from the Toyota V12, it will always sound and respond differently than an Italian V12. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean this Unique Toyota V12-Swapped Lamborghini Countach Clone will never fully capture the magic of the original.
Does the Toyota 1GZ-FE V12 have any similarities with the Lamborghini Countach V12?
- Both are V12 engine configurations. The Toyota 1GZ-FE is a 5.0L V12 while the Countach used various V12s ranging from 3.9L to 5.2L over its production run.
- Both have a 60° V-angle between the cylinder banks. This is mentioned for the Countach engines but not explicitly stated for the 1GZ-FE, though 60° is a common angle for V12s.
However, the two engines have many more differences than similarities:
- The 1GZ-FE was designed much later (the 1990s vs 1960s-1970s) and for a very different application (luxury sedan vs supercar). As such, it prioritizes smoothness and refinement over outright performance.
- The 1GZ-FE makes significantly less power, around 276 hp compared to 455 hp for the later 5.2L Countach engine. It also has a lower redline and different torque characteristics.
- The 1GZ-FE uses more modern technologies like electronic fuel injection and four valves per cylinder, while the Countach V12s used carburetors and had two valves per cylinder for most of their production run.
- The Countach engines were closely related to Lamborghini’s earlier V12 designs and went through an evolutionary development process. The 1GZ-FE does not share this heritage.
- The Countach V12s are renowned for their unique sound and high-revving nature, traits the 1GZ-FE was not designed to replicate as a luxury sedan engine.
5 Interesting facts about the Lamborghini Countach V12 engine that no one will tell you:
- The Lamborghini V12 used in the Countach originated in 1963 and was designed by Giotto Bizzarrini. Versions of this engine were used in various Lamborghini models including the 350 GT, 400 GT, Islero, Espada, and Miura.
- The engineers increased the Countach engine’s displacement from the Miura’s 3.9L to 5.0L to extract more power while avoiding the usability problems of a race-tuned engine like the one used in the experimental Jota. This required a major redesign of the existing V12.
- The 5.2L version of the Countach V12 made 455 PS (449 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,200 rpm in the 5000 QV model. It had a 60° V angle, dual overhead cams, and breathed through six Weber carburetors, giving it a raw, mechanical character.
- One experimental 5.0L Countach engine was constructed by boring out a conventional 3.9L block and incorporated many lightweight castings made from Elektron magnesium alloy. However, this engine self-destructed during a 1971 road test, showing that further revisions were needed to improve durability.
- The Countach V12 was mounted longitudinally behind the cabin, in contrast to the Miura’s transverse layout. This was the first road-going application of a longitudinal V12, previously only used in Ferrari’s racing cars. The gearbox was mounted in front of the engine to improve weight distribution
We have compared the exhaust notes of the Toyota VG45 and the Countach V12. Use your headphones to decide which one sounds better.
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Other Famous Lamborghini Kit Cars and Replicas
This isn’t the first time someone has built a Lamborghini kit car with an unconventional engine. Perhaps the most famous is the “Ratarossa” from the 1980s.
Mike Vetter used a Pontiac Fiero chassis and Ferrari-inspired bodywork to create a stunning replica. While not a Countach clone, it captured the essence of an Italian exotic without the expense. The GM V6 couldn’t match a Ferrari V12, but Vetter’s creativity showed what was possible.
Another renowned example is Ken Imhoff’s basement-built Lamborghini Countach replica. Imhoff hand-built his Countach from scratch over 17 years, fabricating the tubular space frame chassis himself and hand-forming the aluminum bodywork to accurately replicate the Countach’s iconic shape. Powered by a Ford 351 Cleveland V8 mated to a ZF 5-speed from a Pantera, Imhoff’s car is a testament to the dedication of skilled enthusiasts to build their dream cars, even if it takes nearly two decades.
Exotic Illusions is a Pennsylvania-based company that has been specializing in Countach replicas for over 13 years. They offer both the 5000S and 25th Anniversary models built on Pontiac Fiero platforms in either stock or stretched wheelbases. With high attention to detail and extensive parts support, Exotic Illusions’ turnkey Countach clones are some of the most convincing and best executed in the business.
Last year, another unusual Lamborghini replica project surfaced from Thailand that combined parts from Toyota, Mitsubishi, and BMW vehicles to create an Aventador lookalike. While not as ambitious as Bargate’s Countach, it shows the creativity replica builders employ to realize their dreams.
Other interesting Lamborghini replicas have used engine swaps like a Chevrolet LS V8. While purists may scoff, there’s no denying the appeal of modern V8 power and reliability in an exotic package. It’s hard to fault someone for wanting the look of a supercar without the headaches of owning one.
Compared to these, Bargate’s South African build is even more ambitious. Swapping in the Toyota Century V12 when most people have never heard of it is the definition of thinking outside the box. If he pulls it off, this Countach clone could be the most memorable kit car ever featured on a YouTube channel. You decide.
My final Thought on the Toyota V12-Swapped Lamborghini Countach Clone..
Gareth Bargate’s ambitious project, a Toyota V12-swapped Lamborghini Countach clone, is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of kit car builders. Although the car is a replica, and not a genuine Lamborghini, which makes the extensive modifications more understandable.
Starting with a tired Ford 302 V8, Bargate considered various V12 options from BMW, Jaguar, and Mercedes before settling on the 1GZ-FE from a Toyota Century – the only Japanese V12 available. The donor engine, sourced from a high-mileage Century that was scrapped due to minor accident damage, showed good compression and oil pressure despite its 340,000 km (211,266 miles).
Bargate’s attention to detail is evident in the technical aspects of the build. The Toyota V12 originally ran on two ECUs, which will need to be modified for the new setup. The automatic transmission that came with the engine was sold separately, replaced by an Audi 01E or 082 6-speed manual from a C6 A6 wagon. A custom adapter plate is being fabricated to mate the Toyota engine to the Audi transaxle, resulting in a mid-engine, rear transaxle layout similar to a Porsche Cayman.
The Audi transaxle and Porsche 718 Cayman transaxle show Bargate is serious about making this car handle. Combined with the Toyota V12’s smooth power delivery, this Countach clone has the potential to be a genuine thrill to drive, even if it doesn’t quite sound the part.
While this Toyota V12-swapped Lamborghini Countach clone may not be a purist’s dream, it showcases the creativity and problem-solving skills that define the kit car community. By combining a Japanese heart with an Italian body and German transmission, Bargate is creating a truly unique machine that blends the best of different automotive worlds.
As the build progresses, it will be fascinating to see how the 1GZ-FE’s smooth power delivery and ample torque translate to the much lighter Countach replica chassis. With the right exhaust setup, this DIY supercar has the potential to deliver an unforgettable driving experience, even if it can’t quite match the visceral thrill of a genuine Sant’Agata V12.
In a world of cookie-cutter replicas, Gareth Bargate’s Toyota V12-swapped Lamborghini Countach clone stands out as a beacon of originality and innovation. It may not be the textbook definition of a perfect replica, but it embodies the spirit of craftsmanship, perseverance, and passion that makes the kit car scene so captivating. One thing is for sure – the Gareth Bargate YouTube channel will be a must-watch for anyone interested in ambitious engine swaps or DIY supercars. This South African build is shaping up to be something truly special, and we can’t wait to see and hear this JDM-powered Italian wedge come to life.
Here is a link to Gareth Bargate’s YouTube channel so that you can monitor this build’s progress: Gareth Bargate YouTube channel link
Toyota V12-Swapped Lamborghini Countach Clone Image gallery:
