The Cannonball Run Countach: Supercar Legend | Full Documentary
Hagerty Drivers Foundation・65 minutes read
Brock Yates organized the rebellious Cannonball race in the 1970s, testing great drivers and great cars on real roads. The Lamborghini Countach left a lasting cultural impact as a special car for special people, epitomizing Lamborghini's bold, futuristic design language.
Insights
- The Cannonball race, organized by Brock Yates as a rebellion against government restrictions on cars, aimed to test drivers in real-world conditions, pushing them to drive non-stop in the same car for over 35 hours.
- The Lamborghini Countach, with its iconic design and powerful V12 engine capable of nearly 200 mph, became a symbol of excess and rebellion against societal norms, appealing to individuals seeking luxury and exclusivity.
- The Cannonball Run, inspired by the daring cross-country races, saw enthusiasts setting records for driving times, with recent breaks facilitated by reduced traffic during the COVID pandemic, showcasing a continued fascination with speed and endurance challenges.
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Recent questions
What was the Cannonball race?
A daring, no-rules street race across the country.
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Summary
00:00
Cannonball: Rebellion Against Speed Limits and Government
- Speed limit was 55 mph, but the idea was to drive 155 mph as a rebellion against government oppression in the 1970s.
- Brock Yates organized a no-rules street race across the country, known as the Cannonball, lasting 35 hours and 53 minutes.
- The event aimed to test great drivers in great cars on real roads to see what was possible.
- Participants in the Cannonball race often never spoke again due to the grueling nature of the event.
- The race was a legendary adventure unknown to most law-abiding civilians, turning everyday people into heroes.
- The Cannonball Run film in 1981 was a major success, featuring Burt Reynolds and showcasing the Lamborghini Countach.
- The Lamborghini Countach, capable of speeds up to 190 mph, left a lasting cultural impact as a special car for special people.
- The 1970s saw Americans facing economic challenges, high inflation, and restrictions on cars due to fuel crises.
- Brock Yates, a prominent automotive writer, organized the Cannonball race as a rebellion against government restrictions on cars.
- The Cannonball race, starting in Manhattan and ending in California, aimed to challenge participants to drive non-stop in the same car.
15:33
Lamborghini's Countach: Bold Design, Speed Icon
- Fruchild sought out top engineers like Bitzerini and Stanzani for Lamborghini's early days, fostering a forward-thinking environment.
- The 350 GT was Lamborghini's first production car, swiftly followed by the groundbreaking Miura, a transverse mid-engine marvel.
- Lamborghini's cars, with 12 cylinders and manual gearboxes, were meticulously crafted to be visually unforgettable.
- The Countach, designed by Marcelo Gandini, epitomized Lamborghini's bold, futuristic design language.
- Bob Wallace, the original test driver, played a pivotal role in developing the Countach.
- The Countach's design, with its iconic wedge shape, was a statement challenging norms and setting new standards.
- The Countach boasted a V12 engine, reaching nearly 500 horsepower, and could approach 200 miles per hour.
- The Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash was a daring, multi-variable challenge involving meticulous planning and execution.
- The Cannonball race required strategic driving, navigation, and preparation, with drivers adapting to various challenges on the road.
- Hal Needham and Brock Yates considered turning the Cannonball race into a movie, but the project faced obstacles and eventually faded away.
30:29
Cannonball Run: High-Speed Drama and Iconic Cars
- Hal met a doctor in a bar on Sunset Strip who ended up being their doctor for a critical situation involving Hal's wife, Pamela.
- While driving with Pamela in the back on a gurney, they were stopped by the New Jersey Highway Patrol.
- The doctor explained Pamela's condition, fibrocystic disease of the lungs, which prevented her from being flown.
- The forged tag on their car helped them avoid trouble with the police.
- A new record for the Cannonball Run was set by David Hines and Dave Yarbrough in a Jaguar XJS.
- Terry Bernius' Lamborghini Countach inspired the end of the Cannonball Run due to safety concerns.
- The movie "Cannonball Run" was inspired by the Cannonball Run races and the involvement of key figures like Hal Needham and Brock Yates.
- The movie featured a star-studded cast including Farrah Fawcett, Dean Martin, and Jackie Chan.
- The Lamborghini Countach featured in the movie became iconic and popularized the brand.
- The Lamborghini Countach LP 400S was a revolutionary model with unique features like a rear wing and wide tires.
46:25
"Countach: Iconic Car of Excess and Rebellion"
- The car has a minuscule trunk, akin to a shoebox, with a glove box that serves as the fuse box.
- The car features two small AC vents with a less than fantastic AC system, blowing air on the driver's right knee and the passenger's left knee.
- The Countach is challenging to understand due to its unique features, requiring passion to learn, but offers an unparalleled driving experience once mastered.
- The Countach excels on highways, feeling stable at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, providing a comfortable and secure driving experience.
- Sitting inside a Countach feels like being in an Italian rocket ship, offering a panoramic view due to the dramatically sloped hood.
- The Countach became an icon due to its visual appeal, exuding qualities of sexiness, power, and exclusivity, captivating young individuals and becoming a symbol of success.
- The car represents excess and boldness, making a statement of rebellion against societal norms, attracting attention and admiration.
- The Countach was favored by individuals like Saudi sheiks and rock stars, symbolizing eccentricity and luxury, turning heads and stopping traffic.
- Ron Rice, the owner of a Countach, was a larger-than-life character who enjoyed the car's attention-grabbing qualities, using it to attract friends and dates.
- The Cannonball Run event, inspired by the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, saw enthusiasts setting records for cross-country driving times, with notable achievements in the 1980s and beyond.
01:02:30
"Record-breaking drive, iconic car restoration, automotive legacy"
- The record for a cross-country drive was set at 28 hours and 50 minutes, averaging around 100 miles per hour.
- In November 2019, friends broke the record, followed by 12 more breaks during the COVID pandemic due to reduced traffic and police presence.
- The absence of an official body to verify records led to a fastest time of 25 hours and 39 minutes in an Audi during the pandemic.
- A foundation was formed in memory of a lost loved one, hosting exotic car events to raise funds for Make-A-Wish, granting wishes for children with life-threatening conditions.
- The Cannonball Run car, a movie icon, was acquired after a two-year restoration process to restore it to its original movie appearance.
- The restoration was meticulously done by a friend with expertise in Lamborghini Countach cars, ensuring originality in every detail.
- The car, with its unique features like 12 exhaust pipes and movie props, was showcased at an exotic car festival, becoming a cherished possession.
- The owner's passion for vintage Lamborghinis, like the Countach, has grown, reflecting a resurgence in appreciation for these iconic cars.
- The Countach is seen as a blueprint for modern hypercars, embodying a legacy of automotive innovation and design excellence.
