The Lamborghini Countach is a two-door, coupé sports car, with a body outline and configuration designed for high speed. It features a powerful 12-cylinder, gasoline engine, capable of delivering 375 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. It could reach the maximum speed of 300 km per hour. It was designed, developed, and built by Lamborghini S.p.A. in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Bologna, Italy. It was produced between 1974 and 1990 in different versions, starting with the Countach LP-400, which was followed by the LP-400 S and the LP-500 S. A total of 1983 cars were manufactured and exported world-wide. It was preceded by Lamborghini Miura, and succeeded by L. Diablo.
The impressive lines of the Lamborghini Countach was designed by Marcello Gandini of Carrozzeria Bertone (car body building firm). The front portion of car is streamlined and wedge-shaped. This outline was backed up by an advanced cockpit design, scissors doors, and the highly-refined V12 engine. Thus, this Italian car would become iconic and much looked for and highly valued by rich classic car collectors. The scissors doors were a novelty for a production car that began in 1974. These doors were not just a design feature, but they allowed for more comfortable entry and exit into and out of the car. Thus, this sleek futuristic machine characterized an era as it became the dream car of millions of teenagers around the world.
Technical Characteristics
The Lamborghini Countach had a rear mid-engine layout, with rear wheel-drive. The engine was mounted in a longitudinal rear position, with the gearbox set up in front of it, almost between the two seats. The chassis consisted of a tubular frame of integral construction, with a light metal alloy body and fiberglass floor panels. The Countach had independent front and rear suspension, with transverse 'A' arms, dampers, and coaxial springs; rear suspension featured two damper units per wheel. The steering was of rack and pinion design. The car was powered by a V12 60° gasoline (petrol) engine, which generated 375 HP. The engine was made of light alloy block and heads, with 12 cylinders and two overhead camshafts. It had six horizontal Weber twin-choke carburetors.
Specifications (Countach LP-500 S)
Type: two-seat sports car
Weight: 1,480 kg
Length: 4.14 m
Width: 2 m
Height: 1.070 m
Wheelbase: 2.45 m
Power Plant: one 375-HP, Lamborghini 4,754 cc, V12 60° engine.
Transmission: 5-speed synchromesh manual
Brake Type: dual circuit hydraulic, with servo units and alloy calipers.
Maximum Speed: 300 km/h in 5th gear, at 7,000 rmp.
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| Above, front view of Lamborghini Countach. |
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| Rear view of the iconic Italian car. |
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| The Countach LP500 S in red. |
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| The Countach with its scissors doors open. |