The general feeling of enthusiasm and hope from the previous decade gave way to ambition and the inevitable excess that came with it when the 1970s arrived. Early supercars, such as the Mercedes 300SL, were instrumental in bringing automotive culture to unprecedented and profitable heights.
Of course, this was the ideal moment for Lamborghini to release the Countach.
In 1974, this Italian beauty cemented her place in classic supercar iconography with her signature scissor doors and wedge-shaped appearance. It also outperformed its stablemate and predecessor, the adored Miura, with a powerful V12 engine and superb handling in a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration.
However, the Countach was more than just a symbol of ’70s auto culture; throughout the following twenty years, its influence fluctuated and it came to represent performance and luxury to a whole new generation.
An innovative design
“Countach!” is a Piedmontese term for amazement that sums accurately how people felt when they saw this vehicle.
Following the success of the Miura, Lamborghini assigned Bertone’s Marcello Gandini to develop the Miura’s replacement. Gandini’s design deviated from his imagined Miura’s contours in an overtly rebellious manner. There was nothing like the Countach on the road at the time, with its broad and low stance, dramatic proportions, and humorously sharp angles.
Beneath the angular exterior, however, was a raging V12 engine that was longitudinally placed and had changed in displacement throughout time. Whether it was the original 4.0-liter LP400 or the powerful 5.0-liter Quattrovalvole, the Countach was a beast of a vehicle, with a maximum power of 335kW and a five-second acceleration to 100 km/h.
But it was more than simply pure speed. The Countach’s rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration allowed for precise controls and variable weight distribution, which surprised drivers by making it surprisingly agile.
Throughout its almost two-decade existence, the Countach also changed. While the LP5000 S debuted a bigger 4.8-liter engine, the LP400 S had wider tires and better suspension. With four valves per cylinder and a unique engine cover, the 5000 QV increased performance to unprecedented levels.
An absolute classic
In addition to its stunning appearance and unadulterated performance, the Lamborghini Countach has become well-known as a poster vehicle and a symbol of extravagance for a certain generation.
Interior of a Lamborghini Countach LP400
The Italian supercar has become a true pop culture sensation because to its roles in video game series like Gran Turismo and movies like Cannonball Run from 1981 and Wolf of Wall Street from 2013.
The fact that the most immaculate Countach models, such as the 25th anniversary edition, continue to fetch millions of dollars at auction indicates that Lamborghini’s unique tradition of luxury performance is still justified by the label.
And it even inspired a revised version, the Countach LPI 800-4, in 2022 to commemorate the product’s 50th anniversary of release.