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General model biography: Countach
The Lamborghini Countach wrote its own chapter in the history of automotive design. As the Miura before it, the Countach earned a place in cinematic history in the 1981 film “The Cannonball run”, and posters of it hung on many a teenager’s wall. First introduced as a concept car in 1971, the Countach eventually went into production in 1974. Lamborghini’s styling cues influenced cars that were produced over the next decade. Even today, more than 50 years after the LP400 was first launched, the Countach attracts attention wherever it goes.
General model biography: Countach
The Lamborghini Countach wrote its own chapter in the history of automotive design. As the Miura before it, the Countach earned a place in cinematic history in the 1981 film “The Cannonball run”, and posters of it hung on many a teenager’s wall. First introduced as a concept car in 1971, the Countach eventually went into production in 1974. Lamborghini’s styling cues influenced cars that were produced over the next decade. Even today, more than 50 years after the LP400 was first launched, the Countach attracts attention wherever it goes.
Its production life lasted 16 years, during which 1999 units were produced. There were different versions, starting with the LP-400 which was characterised by the “periscope” on the roof; the LP-400 S which was designed to make the most of the aerodynamics and the low profile tires that Pirelli had just launched; the 5000S, a technical evolution of the 400 S and with the engine capacity increased to nearly 5-liters; the 5000 Quattrovalvole, which was tuned to be better equipped to cope with everyday traffic, and finally the 25 Anniversario, which was created in 1988 to celebrate 25 years of Lamborghini and featured carbon fibre material.
Countach design
The outstanding lines of the Countach were created by Carrozzeria Bertone and the car characterised the aesthetics of super sportscars produced between the mid-1970s and the 1980s. The wedge shape became iconic, and it was backed up by an advanced cockpit design, scissor doors and that spectacular and now highly refined V12 engine that was iconic to the Sant’Agata design house. The scissor doors were an absolute novelty for a production car in 1974 and became another decisive design feature of the model. Far from being just a design feature, the doors allowed for more comfortable entry and exit to the car.
Countach Technology
For the entire duration of its production, the Countach used the Lamborghini 60 degree V12, with double overhead camshaft. The engine was mounted in a longitudinal rear position, and the gearbox was ahead of it, almost between the two seats. This engine, which could trace its history to the original unit designed in 1963 by the engineer Giotto Bizzarrini and later adapted for civilian use by Paolo Stanzani, reached a capacity of 4 liters and produced 375hp in the first version of the Countach. From there, power increased to 345hp in the 400 S. Displacement then increased to 4.8 liters in the 5000 S while maximum power remained the same. For Quattrovalvole and 25 Anniversario, the displacement increased again, to 5.2 liters and the power output to 455hp. The tires also follow this spectacular technical development, going from the 205/70 VR 14 (215/70 VR 14 at the rear) of the LP 400 to the 225/50 VR 15 (345/35 VR 15) of the Anniversario.
Countach Technology
For the entire duration of its production, the Countach used the Lamborghini 60 degree V12, with double overhead camshaft. The engine was mounted in a longitudinal rear position, and the gearbox was ahead of it, almost between the two seats. This engine, which could trace its history to the original unit designed in 1963 by the engineer Giotto Bizzarrini and later adapted for civilian use by Paolo Stanzani, reached a capacity of 4 liters and produced 375hp in the first version of the Countach. From there, power increased to 345hp in the 400 S. Displacement then increased to 4.8 liters in the 5000 S while maximum power remained the same. For Quattrovalvole and 25 Anniversario, the displacement increased again, to 5.2 liters and the power output to 455hp. The tires also follow this spectacular technical development, going from the 205/70 VR 14 (215/70 VR 14 at the rear) of the LP 400 to the 225/50 VR 15 (345/35 VR 15) of the Anniversario.
Lifestyle Countach
The Countach characterized an era, becoming the dream car of millions of teenagers around the world. There have been dozens of films that have used a Countach: among the most iconic is the 1981 film “The Cannonball Run”. The 1979 Countach LP 400 S had a leading role in the film with one of the most memorable opening scenes in cinematic history. Its cultural impact was so great that, in 2021, on the 40th anniversary of the film, that same car was included among the very few registered at the Library of Congress as a fundamental part of the history of American customs and society.
Lifestyle Countach
The Countach characterized an era, becoming the dream car of millions of teenagers around the world. There have been dozens of films that have used a Countach: among the most iconic is the 1981 film “The Cannonball Run”. The 1979 Countach LP 400 S had a leading role in the film with one of the most memorable opening scenes in cinematic history. Its cultural impact was so great that, in 2021, on the 40th anniversary of the film, that same car was included among the very few registered at the Library of Congress as a fundamental part of the history of American customs and society.
