No matter the effort put into creating supercar replicas, they often fail to impress enthusiasts. After all, what’s the point if they lack the refined handling of a genuine supercar or its exhilarating engine? A straightforward solution is to install a V12 engine, and one South African is taking this approach with his used Lamborghini Countach kit car, outfitting it with a V12 from a Toyota Century.
Gareth Bargate shares in his latest YouTube build video that he acquired his replica Lamborghini in poor condition. While the paint was acceptable, the mechanical components were a mess. The original 302-ci Ford V8 and Audi transaxle were worn out, prompting him to replace them with a more appropriate engine. Instead of opting for a BMW, Jaguar, or Mercedes-Benz V12, he decided on the unique Toyota V12.
The 5.0-liter 1GZ-FE V12 was used in the Toyota Century luxury sedan from 1997 to 2017, with an official output of 276 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque. Bargate checked the VIN of the vehicle from which his engine originated, discovering it had over 200,000 miles on it. Fortunately, both a compression test and oil pressure reading indicated the V12 was still in good shape, justifying his leap of faith purchase. This engine will eventually be paired with a six-speed manual transaxle from a diesel Audi A6, which will sound more fitting when you learn it’s related to the one used in the Porsche 718 Cayman.
Where many car build channels drag on with lengthy videos that lack substance, Bargate’s two videos to date have been concise and engaging. It’s exciting to watch this authentic, though not quite Lamborghini, project come together, and it would be great to see it at an owners’ meet one day. One can’t help but wonder if fellow car enthusiasts would be impressed enough to embrace it. If not, it will surely shine at a kit car show—presumably a more lively crowd to celebrate with, I suspect.
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