The sensation of the 1971 Geneva Salon was the Countach, designed by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini. Inspired by his Lancia Stratos Zero concept, Gandini gave the Countach an angular wedge shape with sharp lines. The production model debuted in 1974. Lamborghini used the Miura’s V12 engine in the Countach, mounted longitudinally behind the cabin.
Designer Paolo Stanzani positioned the five-speed gearbox ahead of the engine between the seats and the differential at the rear for better weight distribution and balance. The Countach featured an improved spaceframe chassis and a 4.0-liter engine producing 370bhp, allowing it to reach 170mph with excellent handling.
In 1978, the ‘LP400S‘ model introduced flared wheel arches for larger rear tires, enhancing grip and stability, and a large rear wing that became popular among buyers. The Countach entered the US market in 1982 with the emissions-friendly LP500S, offering the same horsepower but more torque with its 4,754cc engine.
The final version, the 1985 Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole, featured a 5,167cc engine with four-valve heads, producing 420 horsepower and a top speed of 300km/h, making it the world’s fastest car at the time.
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