History of Lamborghini Countach
I grew up with a Lamborghini Countach on the bedroom wall. You probably did too. When I finally slid into one years later—knees knocking the steering column, door scissored into the sky—I realized the poster never told the whole story. The Countach isn’t just an Italian wedge with a V12; it’s a 16-year era of excess, stubborn engineering, and a kind of drama modern supercars try to simulate but rarely achieve.
How the Lamborghini Countach Shocked the World
The Lamborghini Countach launched in 1974 and stayed in production until 1990—astonishing longevity for a hand-built, mid-engined missile. The name? Piedmontese slang for wide-eyed amazement: “Countach!” Which fits because it looked like a spaceship parked among sedans. Marcello Gandini’s design is all razor creases and outrageous surfaces—low, flat, and unapologetically wild. Early cars wore “Periscopio” roof channels, later cars gained huge arches and even huger rear rubber, and somewhere along the way the world decided scissor doors were the only proper doors for a Lamborghini.
Under those visual fireworks sat a naturally aspirated V12, breathing furiously from just behind your ears. Depending on the year, the Countach could touch around 290 km/h (180 mph), which, back then, felt like breaking the sound barrier with your hair on fire. Over roughly two thousand were built—rare, but not unicorn rare—which is why even now, a Countach can still draw a crowd that drowns out traffic noise.
The Lamborghini Countach Timeline: From LP400 to 25th Anniversary
I’ve been lucky enough to drive a couple and clamber around several more at owners’ garages. Each generation has a distinct flavor, like Italian espresso pulled by different baristas—always strong, never quite the same.
- LP400 (1974–1978) – The purest wedge. Around 375 hp from a 3.9-liter V12, svelte body, and that “Periscopio” roof channel. Light on add-ons, heavy on mystique. My favorite to look at, truth be told.
- LP400 S (1978–1982) – Wide arches, Pirelli P7s like steamrollers (345-section rear), and slightly softened power. The stance you remember from that black car in Cannonball Run.
- LP500 S (1982–1985) – Enlarged to 4.8 liters, roughly 370 hp. More torque, more presence, still no apologies.
- 5000 Quattrovalvole (1985–1988) – 5.2 liters with four-valve heads, up to the mid-400 hp range in European spec. U.S. cars ran fuel injection. Feels the most urgent when you really let it sing.
- 25th Anniversary (1988–1990) – Restyled (Horacio Pagani had a hand) with cooling and aero tweaks, plus improved ergonomics. The most usable Countach, if “usable” is a word you can attach to a spaceship.
Driving a Lamborghini Countach: The Theater and the Truth
First thing I noticed? The driving position. You sit low, legs slightly askew, like you’re wearing the car rather than sitting in it. The clutch can be weights-room heavy in some examples, and the gearstick needs a firm, confident hand—rush it and it will sulk. Visibility? Forward is fine. Rearward is… optimistic. I learned the old Lamborghini trick from an owner in Modena: open the scissor door, sit on the sill, and reverse by peering over your shoulder. Looks ridiculous. Works perfectly.
When I tried it on rough roads, the car surprised me; the spaceframe chassis feels solid, and the ride, while firm, isn’t the bone-jiggle I feared. The V12 is the star—silky when you’re cruising, a metallic aria when you cross 5,000 rpm. Late cars feel punchier, early cars feel lighter on their feet. All feel special. And noisy enough that you’ll hear your kids arguing in back only if they’re very committed to the argument.
Lamborghini Countach Highlights
- Mid-mounted V12 (3.9–5.2 liters), naturally aspirated drama
- Top speed around 290 km/h (180 mph), depending on specification
- Iconic scissor doors and razor-edged Gandini styling
- Produced from 1974 to 1990—unusually long for a supercar
- Approximately 2,000 examples built across all variants
Lamborghini Countach vs. The Poster-Car Rivals
I’ve parked a Countach next to a Ferrari Testarossa, and the difference is stark. The Ferrari is wide and shark-like; the Lambo is origami with malice. On paper they’re closer than you’d think; on the road the Countach feels wilder, less filtered. Here’s the quick-and-dirty comparison for context.
| Car | Engine | Power | 0–60 mph | Top Speed | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamborghini Countach (5000 QV) | 5.2L V12 (NA) | ≈ 455 hp (EU) | ≈ 4.7 s | ≈ 183 mph | 1985–1988 |
| Ferrari Testarossa | 4.9L flat-12 (NA) | ≈ 390 hp | ≈ 5.2 s | ≈ 180 mph | 1984–1991 |
| Porsche 911 Turbo (930) | 3.3L flat-6 (turbo) | ≈ 282–300 hp | ≈ 4.9–5.2 s | ≈ 173 mph | 1978–1989 |
Why the Lamborghini Countach Still Matters
Beyond specs, the Lamborghini Countach is the car that made “supercar” a household word. It set the template for the modern Lamborghini—lurid styling, a screaming V12, a sense of occasion every time the door opens upward. It spawned special editions like the LP400 S and LP500 S, and the later 5000 QV and 25th Anniversary refined the formula without sanding away the madness.
Collectors love that it’s one of Lamborghini’s longest-produced models, and drivers love that it still feels like nothing else—part endurance test, part reward. I’ve seen owners take them to Alpine ski weekends (yes, there’s a frunk; no, it’s not big) and to Miami night outs where valets treat them like crown jewels. The Countach doesn’t blend in. It never did. That’s the point.
Living with a Countach (if you’re lucky)
- Maintenance is specialist-only and not cheap—budget like you mean it.
- Parts availability is decent through marque experts, better for later cars.
- Best driven warm; cold V12s prefer patience.
- Expect attention. Constantly. Kids, cameras, conversations at petrol stations.
In the end, the Lamborghini Countach remains the definitive poster-car made real: difficult in places, delightful in many, and absolutely unforgettable when the V12 clears its throat and the world tilts just a little in your direction.
Lamborghini Countach FAQ
What does “Countach” mean?
It’s a Piedmontese exclamation of amazement—roughly “wow!” or “good grief!”—and it fits the car’s shock-and-awe presence.
How many Lamborghini Countach cars were built?
Roughly two thousand across all variants from 1974 to 1990, making it one of Lamborghini’s longest-produced models.
Which Lamborghini Countach is best to drive?
Purists adore the LP400’s purity and lightness; many drivers prefer the 5000 QV or 25th Anniversary for their stronger performance and slightly improved usability.
How fast is a Lamborghini Countach?
Period figures vary by model, but around 290 km/h (180 mph) was achievable, with 0–60 mph typically under five seconds on later cars.
Are Lamborghini Countach cars hard to live with?
They’re demanding—heavy controls, heat soak, tight cabin—but that’s part of the charm. Work with the car and it rewards you every mile.
