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Headline: RAW VIDEO: The Cannonball Run Actresses Reunited With Film's Iconic Lamborghini Countach
Caption: Lamborghini have marked the 45th anniversary of the cult classic The Cannonball Run by reuniting actresses Adrienne Barbeau and Tara Buckman with the Lamborghini Countach LP 400 S they drove in the movie. This celebration brought the actresses and their stylish wheels together for the first time since the movie's release on June 19, 1981. Reuniting after more than four decades, Barbeau and Buckman shared their experiences with the Lamborghini that became a cultural icon. Neither had seen or driven a Lamborghini before the movie. "I immediately thought it was beautiful, simply beautiful, and it still is," said Barbeau. Buckman added, "We had the best car, and it was definitely the most beautiful of all." Reflecting on the film’s impact, both actresses expressed surprise at its enduring legacy. "Never, not even for a second, and not just us. No one during the filming would have expected this incredible, long-lasting success," Barbeau added. The Countach LP 400 S, produced in November 1979, boasts a Nero (black) exterior and Senape (mustard) interior. Originally shipped to the SEA dealership in Rome, it was likely sold directly to a buyer in the US, eventually landing in Florida. The car's owner, a friend of the film’s director, offered it for use in the movie, ensuring its place in American cinematic history. For the film, the Countach received distinctive modifications, including a wing, two full-beam headlights on the nose, a spoiler, three antennas, and twelve exhaust pipes, as well as two fake instruments in front of the passenger seat. After filming, the car was returned to its owner with these unique alterations intact. In 2009, the car found a new owner, Jeff Ippoliti, who had been captivated by the Countach since seeing it in the movie as a child. Ippoliti recounted: “I had always been crazy about cars but the opening of the movie was the first time I got to see and hear the Countach in motion, and I was captivated! I didn’t see it in person for the first time until twenty-six years later, and it took me another eighteen months of negotiations before I managed to take it home.” The Cannonball Run drew inspiration from the real-life Cannonball race, a cross-country contest from New York to Los Angeles. It featured a star-studded cast, including Roger Moore, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Chan, Farrah Fawcett, as well as Barbeau, and Buckman. The duo played the race's only all-female crew, using their looks and wiles to distract others while driving the Countach to victory. The movie’s memorable opening scene, featuring a police chase with the Countach’s roaring 12-cylinder engine, became a legendary moment for car enthusiasts. In 2021, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of "The Cannonball Run," the Countach LP 400 S was inducted into the US Library of Congress. This honour is reserved for artifacts of extraordinary importance to American history and culture, making the Countach one of just over 30 cars to achieve this distinction. Reflecting on the film’s impact, both actresses expressed surprise at its enduring legacy. "Never, not even for a second, and not just us. No one during the filming would have expected this incredible, long-lasting success," Barbeau added. Alessandro Farmeschi, After Sales Director of Automobili Lamborghini, remarked on the significance of the Countach: "It’s a car that ignited a passion for the Lamborghini brand and for the Countach model in many young enthusiasts. Its entry into the Library of Congress certifies its importance for automotive culture and the culture of an entire nation. We are proud to celebrate its 45th anniversary by reuniting the car with its unforgettable crew from the ‘Cannonball’ movie.”
Keywords: lamborghini,countach,feature,video,photo,the cannonball run,film,movies
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