History, Specifications, & Auction Prices/Pictures
In 1965, only a year after Lamborghini launched its very first car, the 350GT, the automotive world was shocked by the presentation of the Lamborghini Miura chassis. When the completed car was unveiled the following year with a mid-mounted four-cam V-12 engine and low, sleek, dramatic styling, it set a new standard for an Italian supercar. Many felt Lamborghini had invented the modern supercar with the Miura, but the fledgling manufacturer had only begun to make its mark. The March 1971 Geneva Show saw the unveiling of a car that, to some, made even the Miura look commonplace. Marcello Gandini had designed a shape for the LP500 that resembled a flying wedge on wheels which the technical team at Lamborghini had transformed into a functioning automobile.
It is believed the origin of the name came from someone who, upon seeing it, exclaimed “countach!” Certainly, the Piedmontese dialect expression, being the verbal equivalent of a wolf-whistle, was apt. By the time the original five-liter prototype was prepared for production, the four-liter, four-cam V-12 engine still delivered 375 hp and 266 ft/lbs of torque to propel the car to a top speed of almost 180 mph, making it just as fast as it looked. With the Countach, Lamborghini had truly created the new age of the supercar.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1974 – 1978 |
| built at | Santa’Agata Bolognese, Italy |
| body stylist | Marcello Gandini |
| coachbuilder | Bertone |
| production | 157 |
| price $ | $ 52,000 |
| predeccesor | 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV |
| succeccesor | 1978 Lamborghini Countach LP400S |
| engine | 60° V12 |
| position | Mid, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | DOHC 2 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | 6 Twin-throat Weber 45 DCOE Carburetors |
| displacement | 3929 cc / 239.8 in³ |
| bore | 82.0 mm / 3.23 in |
| stroke | 62.0 mm / 2.44 in |
| compression | 10.5:1 |
| power | 279.6 kw / 375 bhp @ 8000 rpm |
| specific output | 95.44 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 273.72 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 360.6 nm / 266 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm |
| body / frame | Aluminum Body over Steel Spaceframe |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Campagnolo Cast Magnesium |
| front tires | 205/70-VR-14 Michelin XWX |
| rear tires | 215/70-VR-14 Michelin XWX |
| front brakes | Girling Ventilated Discs w/Vacuum Assist |
| rear brakes | Girling Ventilated Discs w/Vacuum Assist |
| front wheels | F 35.6 x 19.1 cm / 14.0 x 7.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 35.6 x 24.1 cm / 14.0 x 9.5 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion |
| f suspension | Independent w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Independent w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1370 kg / 3020 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2450 mm / 96.5 in |
| front track | 1500 mm / 59.1 in |
| rear track | 1520 mm / 59.8 in |
| length | 4140 mm / 163.0 in |
| width | 1890 mm / 74.4 in |
| height | 1070 mm / 42.1 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| tran clutch | Single Dry Plate |
| gear ratios | 2.256:1, 1.769:1, 1.310:1, 0.990:1, 0.775:1 |
| final drive | 4.09:1 |
| top speed | ~289.62 kph / 180 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~6.8 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~13.3 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~14.4 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 120 litres or 31.68 gal. |
Auction Sales History
Blu Tahiti 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 ‘Periscopio’ 1120172 – sold for $1,320,000 Delivered in Blu Tahiti over a Tobacco-colored interior and was fitted with air conditioning and two external rearview mirrors to its first owner Paul Marshall, of Toronto, Ontario. Restored by the second owner and stored in a climate-controlled facility for 20 years. Recently refurbished and displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2013. Auction Source: RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2015
1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopo 1120010 – sold for $1,870,000 The Sixth Countach Constructed. One of Only 150 LP400 Examples Produced. Highly Desirable First-Series LP400 Periscopo. A Pure and Largely Unrestored Example. One of the Earliest Countach Examples in Existence. Auction Source: 2014 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopica’ 1120126 – sold for $836,000 Exceptionally well presented ‘Periscopica’ Countach. Few long-term owners and just over 53,000 kilometers from new *Matching numbers example. Presented in the original color combination. One of just 150 built. Auction Source: 2013 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams
1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopo’ 1120200 – sold for $660,000 One of 150 Examples Produced. One-of-a-Kind Factory Livery. FIVA Certified. Peerless Restoration Fine-Tuned by Valentino Balboni. European-Delivery Example. Auction Source: 2012 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Coupé 1120204 – sold for €222,000 – This stunning example of the revolutionary Countach in its original LP400 ‘periscopio’ form is one of approximately 157 built between 1974 and 1977, which explains why examples are only rarely seen for sale. The current vendor purchased the car at auction in August 2007, at which time it had covered only 28,000 kilometres from new and was described as unrestored. It was reported that the bodywork and paint were very nice and that the engine bay was in original condition and highly detailed, while the all-original interior showed signs of patination. A mechanical re-commissioning had just been undertaken, with many items replaced.
Delivered in the UK in July 1976 to the Lamborghini dealer Berlinetta Italia, ‘1120204’ is one of only three right-hand drive LP400s finished by the factory in the model’s most desirable livery of giallo fly/tobacco. It is understood that the Countach was originally ordered and kept in the United Kingdom where it was owned by Mr Adnan Khashoggi, the controversial Saudi Arabian businessman and socialite, who in the 1980s was considered to be the richest man in the world. Mr Khashoggi’s name is recorded on the accompanying copy of the car’s UK Swansea V5 registration document.
Since its acquisition by the current vendor, the Countach has been sympathetically refurbished, works carried out having included cleaning the fuel system, re-covering the dashboard, calibrating the instruments, rebuilding the radiators and resealing the windscreen. While the glass was out, the opportunity was taken to carry out a complete re-spray. The car is coming back to the UK from the US, so import duty will app. Auction Source: 2011 Goodwood Revival Sale by Bonhams
1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 “Periscopo” – sold for €224,047 – The remarkable 1976 LP400 Countach offered here is the 15th car built and the first right-hand drive example. It was originally finished in Arancio (Orange) with Bianco (white) leather interior, later changed to Rosso (Red), and has had just five owners from new. Originally supplied to the UK, we understand it was the second English owner that exported 1120026 to Florida’s Palm Beach area in the early 1980s, where it was seen still retaining its British registration number “HPP 5.” It returned to Essex, Great Britain in 1987, this time registered on “JYP 43 N.”
Having covered just 28,500 kilometers from new, this Countach is offered complete with a historical file including photographs of all the work performed. Extremely rare when new and even more so today in such wonderfully correct and carefully maintained condition, this 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 represents the clean, initial version of the definitive Italian supercar. It is most certainly the most outrageous automotive design statement of the 1970s and ’80s. Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions
1976 Lamborghini Countach Periscopo 1120154 – sold for $330,000 – 1120154 – Blu Tahiti exterior complemented by Bianco and Blu upholstery. Subject of a two-year comprehensive restoration by highly experienced Lamborghini Specialists Ultimate Motor Works in Longwood, Florida. At the time of restoration, the various components indicated that the car was an extremely low-mileage example and the project reportedly spared no expense in order to produce the most correctly-detailed end result possible. Today, the car shows less than 16,000 kilometers and displays the benefits of careful, long-term ownership. Auction Source: Gooding & Company 2010 Amelia Island Auction
1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 – did not sell for $315,000 – The 1976 LP 400 Countach offered here shows fewer than 7,500 miles today and has enjoyed single, knowledgeable ownership for the past 20 years. A two-year, ground-up restoration has just been completed by the oldest Lamborghini dealership in the United States, a facility renowned for the accuracy of its work, in addition to an enviable record of class victories achieved at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. During the restoration process, all areas of the car were attended to including the exterior, interior, engine, transmission, suspension, brakes and air conditioning, with truly spectacular results. Visually, the Countach is startling in its factory original Blu Tahiti (Tahiti Blue) exterior finish, complemented by the interior, which is trimmed in Bianco (White) and Blu (Blue) upholstery. In addition, this LP400 has a pair of rectangular driving lights and a set of sporting Campagnolo alloy wheels, mounted on period correct Michelin XWX VR-rated high-performance radial tires.
During the restoration process, the noted Lamborghini expert Valentino Balboni inspected this LP 400 on two occasions and a letter from him, attesting to the quality and accuracy of the restoration, will accompany the sale of the car. Copies of the paperwork pertaining to the importation of this specific car to the United States in 1978, including confirmation of the release of the EPA import bond, are also included. Extremely rare when new and even more so today in its wonderfully correct and freshly restored condition, this 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 represents the clean, initial version of the definitive supercar and wild design statement of the 1970s and ‘80s. Auction Source: 2009 RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey
Lamborghini Countach LP400 1120286 – sold for $396,000 Perfect Form Of The Legendary Countach. Regularly Maintained And Exercised. The Feature Of Numerous Magazine Articles. Low-Mileage Example. Gandini’s Purest Countach Design. Auction Source: 2008 Monterey Preview
