The Ultimate Guide To The Lamborghini Countach: Every Variant, Specs, Images, Performance & More

When the Lamborghini Countach was unveiled to the world in 1974, it shattered conventional notions of what a supercar could be. With its audacious design, groundbreaking engineering, and raw, unfiltered performance, the Countach didn't just enter the automotive scene; it blasted through it, leaving a lasting imprint that resonates in the hearts of car enthusiasts to this day.

A Design Revolution

The Countach's design was nothing short of revolutionary. Penned by the legendary Marcello Gandini of the Bertone design studio, the same visionary behind the Miura, this car took the wedge-shaped, sharply angled look to the extreme. Its scissor doors, which swung up and forward, became a defining feature, not just for Lamborghini but for the supercar genre as a whole. The Countach's visual impact was so profound that its design language has influenced countless sports cars and remains a symbol of the extreme automotive style of the 1970s and 1980s.

The car's low, wide stance and angular lines were not just for show; they were the result of meticulous aerodynamic testing. Every vent, scoop, and wing was designed to improve cooling and stability while reducing drag at high speeds. The result was a vehicle that looked like it was breaking speed records even when parked.

Engineering Excellence

Underneath its striking exterior, the Countach was a marvel of engineering. It was powered by a naturally aspirated V12 engine, a signature of Lamborghini's commitment to high-performance powertrains. This engine underwent several upgrades throughout the Countach's production life, growing from the original 4.0-liter version to a 5.2-liter monster in later models, complete with four valves per cylinder and capable of producing over 450 horsepower.

The Countach's performance figures were as dramatic as its appearance. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds and had a top speed of over 180 mph, numbers that remained competitive with the best in its class. The car's handling was equally impressive, with a mid-engine layout that provided excellent balance and a tubular spaceframe chassis that offered rigidity and lightness.

Cultural Phenomenon

The Lamborghini Countach transcended its role as a mere automobile to become a cultural icon. It adorned countless bedroom wall posters, symbolizing speed, power, and the ultimate automotive aspiration. Its appearances in movies, television shows, and video games cemented its status as a symbol of excess and performance.

Despite its aggressive, no-compromise nature, the Countach was not without its quirks. Its cabin was notoriously tight, visibility was challenging, and it was famously difficult to drive at low speeds. Yet, these idiosyncrasies only added to the Countach's charm, reinforcing its image as a wild, untamed machine that demanded respect and skill from its driver.

Enduring Legacy

Today, the Lamborghini Countach is celebrated as one of the most iconic cars in automotive history. Its blend of dramatic styling, groundbreaking performance, and cultural impact has ensured its place in the pantheon of automotive legends. Collectors and enthusiasts around the world continue to cherish the Countach, not just for its historical significance but for its embodiment of a time when car designers and engineers dared to push the boundaries of imagination and technology.

In 1970, Project LP112 was the code name given to what would ultimately become the Countach. The Countach name came from a styling assistant who said the Piedmontese term "contacc!"—an excited term of awe—upon seeing the final concept. The concept shown in 1971 was a huge hit and it took till 1974 before we saw the first production Countach.

The first Countach generation was named LP 400. The bodywork was made of aluminum alloy bonded on a lightweight tubular spaceframe chassis designed by Paolo Stanzani. Suspension was double-wishbones all around, coupled with strong ventilated disc brakes. The engine was originally planned to be a 5-liter V12 good for 440hp, but overheating and reliability problems halted the development and forced Lamborghini to settle on its proven Bizzarrini-designed 3929cc V12. The engine was mounted longitudinally with the gearbox and clutch located in front of the engine. The gearbox was a 5-speed manual. Power transferred back to the rear wheels by a driveshaft running inside the dry engine sump. This arrangement improved front-rear weight distribution leading to better handling and it shortened gear linkage thus made gearchanges more precise.

The innovations in engine and transmission placement worked, with the first-generation Countach making 325 bhp @ 7,500 rpm and 260 ft lbs @ 5,500 rpm, leading to a very quick 0 to 60 mph in around 5.9 seconds and top speed of 181 mph.

Through the years, the Countach continually evolved. The earliest 1974 models, known as "Periscopio" for their unique periscope-style rear-view mirror setup, are the purest from a styling standpoint, without the big scoops, vents, wings, and flares that would come to epitomize the later cars.

By 1980, Lamborghini Automobili was in bankruptcy. When new owners came into the picture in 1982, the Countach was finally federalized for U.S. sales—a market that would come to be the automaker's largest. In 1982, the V12 was enlarged to 4754cc, hence a new designation LP500 (also known as LP5000S in the United States). Tougher emission standard called for reducing compression ratio from 10.5:1 to 9.2:1. Still, the larger engine produced 375 hp and 302 lbft of torque to restore the performance of LP400, despite the additional weight. Performance was not very different although many said the car felt sportier. Other areas were basically unchanged from the previous car.

For 1985, the Countach LP5000 QV was introduced, QV standing for "quattrovalvole," or four-valve in Italian. True to its name, the now-5.2-liter V-12 was given a four-valves-per-cylinder head for increased efficiency, as well as another bump in output to 455 horsepower when equipped with six downdraft Weber carburetors (leading to these being commonly known as "Downdraft" cars), or 415 horsepower with the Bosch fuel injection U.S.-market cars received to meet Federal emissions standards. American-spec cars also got larger, heavier impact bumpers than their European counterparts and different engine fuel system because of stricter emission requirement.

Arriving in 1988, the 25th Anniversary Edition Countach received an even more outrageous restyle by Horacio Pagani (yes, that Horatio Pagani). The 25th Anniversary Edition Countach was often seen as a tribute to 1980s excess as well as a caricature of the earliest Periscopio models. Mechanically, it was nearly identical to the 5000QV, except that several changes were made to solve well known Countach issues. More ventilation holes were opened in the air dam, side skirts and engine lid in order to better cool the brakes and engine. The air box intakes were also enlarged.

The Lamborghini Countach was the defining supercar of the late 1970s and 1980 before it was finally discontinued to make way for the Diablo in 1990.