Lamborghini

Countach LP400

Lamborghini Countach: The Car That Fell from the Sky

The word “Countach” (pronounced Coon-tash) is a Piedmontese exclamation of astonishment—roughly translating to “Wow!” or “My God!”. It is what a Bertone factory worker reportedly shouted when he first saw the prototype in the middle of the night. There is no better name for this car.

When the Countach was unveiled at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, it didn’t look like a car. It looked like a geometry equation. It looked like something from 50 years in the future. It completely rendered every other sports car on the planet obsolete overnight. The Ferrari Daytona looked like a truck in comparison.

Design: Marcello Gandini’s Wedge

Designed by the legendary Marcello Gandini at Bertone (who also designed the Miura and the Lancia Stratos), the Countach introduced the “Wedge Era.”

  • Single Line: The profile is a single, continuous curve from the nose to the roof to the tail.
  • Scissor Doors: The Countach introduced the vertical-opening “scissor doors.” This wasn’t just for style; the tubular chassis was so wide at the sills that traditional doors would have been impossible to open in a parking space. These doors became Lamborghini’s trademark.
  • Periscopio: The early LP400 models are known as “Periscopio” (Periscope). Because the rear visibility was zero, Gandini designed a tunnel in the roof with a mirror system to let the driver see behind. It didn’t really work, and was removed in later models, but the groove in the roof remained.

Engineering: The Standard Layout

Before the Countach, mid-engine cars (like the Miura) mounted their engines transversely (sideways). The Countach changed the game.

  • Longitudinal V12: The engine is mounted lengthwise (Longitudinale Posteriore - LP).
  • Gearbox Forward: To keep the wheelbase short, the gearbox is mounted in front of the engine, between the two seats. The driveshaft then runs back through the engine sump to the rear wheels. This layout improved weight distribution and gear shift quality (since the linkage is shorter). It is the same layout Lamborghini uses to this day in the Revuelto.

The LP400 “Periscopio” (1974-1977)

The first 150 cars are the most valuable. They are pure.

  • No Wings: They lack the massive rear wing and wheel arches that were added to later models. The shape is clean and aerodynamic.
  • Narrow Tires: They sit on relatively narrow Michelin XWX tires, making the car dance around on the road.
  • Top Speed: The LP400 was the most aerodynamic Countach, capable of 290 km/h (180 mph).

The Evolution: Wings and Flares

As the years went on, the Countach gained weight and aggression to compete with Ferrari.

  • LP400 S (1978): Added massive fiberglass wheel arches to fit the new Pirelli P7 tires (345mm wide at the rear—the widest ever on a production car at the time). The iconic V-wing was added as an option (it actually increased drag and reduced top speed, but everyone ordered it because it looked cool).
  • LP5000 QV (1985): “Quattrovalvole” (4 valves per cylinder). Engine grew to 5.2L. 455 hp. The carburetors were moved to the top of the engine, creating a “hump” on the engine cover that completely blocked rear visibility.
  • 25th Anniversary (1988): Redesigned by Horacio Pagani (yes, that Pagani). It featured more vents, strakes, and scoops to improve cooling. It is the most controversial design but also the fastest accelerating.

Driving the Myth

Driving a Countach is hard work. It is a workout.

  • Clutch: Heavy as a leg press.
  • Steering: Unassisted and incredibly heavy at low speeds.
  • Visibility: You cannot see out of the back. To reverse, the accepted method is to open the scissor door, sit on the sill, and look backwards while operating the pedals.
  • Heat: The cabin gets incredibly hot, and the windows only open a few inches.

Countach LPI 800-4 (2022)

In 2022, Lamborghini released a modern tribute based on the Aventador/Sian.

  • Power: 814 hp Hybrid V12.
  • Design: It mimics the clean lines of the original LP400 Periscopio rather than the winged later cars.
  • Reception: Sold out immediately, but controversial among purists who called it a “reskinned Aventador.”

But none of that matters. The Countach is theater. It stops traffic. It causes accidents because people stare at it. It is the poster car for an entire generation, and it remains the definition of the word “Supercar.”