Lamborghini Countach LP500 S
The Lamborghini Countach is the most iconic supercar silhouette ever created. For an entire generation, it WAS the supercar — the car on every bedroom wall, the car in every child's dream, the car that defined what 'exotic' meant. Its wedge-shaped profile, scissor doors, and aggressive proportions were so dramatic that even people who knew nothing about cars knew the Countach.
Designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone (the same designer who created the Miura), the Countach was the Miura's polar opposite. Where the Miura was sensuous and organic, the Countach was angular and aggressive. Its razor-sharp edges, minimalistic surfaces, and intimidating stance created an automotive design language that influenced everything from the Testarossa to the Bugatti EB110.
The name 'Countach' is a Piedmontese exclamation of amazement — roughly equivalent to 'wow!' in English. Legend has it that when Nuccio Bertone first saw Gandini's prototype, he exclaimed 'countach!' — and the name stuck.
The V12 engine was mounted longitudinally (unlike the Miura's transverse layout) behind the driver, with the gearbox ahead of the engine and the driveshaft running back through the engine sump to the rear differential. This 'south-north' layout kept the engine close to the center of the car for better weight distribution.
The Countach evolved significantly during its 16-year production run. The LP400 (1974-78) was the purest, lightest version. The LP400 S (1978-82) added aggressive wheel arch flares and Pirelli P7 tires. The LP500 S (1982-85) got the 4.8-liter engine. The 5000 QV (1985-88) got four-valve heads and 455 hp. The 25th Anniversary (1988-90) received a Horacio Pagani-designed body kit that smoothed the edges.
The Countach's driving experience was as dramatic as its looks. Visibility was terrible (over-the-shoulder reversing was virtually impossible). The clutch was brutal. The six Weber carburetors needed constant attention. The cabin was sweltering. But none of that mattered — driving a Countach was an event, an experience, a statement. It was the car that made every day feel like an occasion.
The Countach is a complex car requiring specialist maintenance. The V12 is robust but the six Weber carburetors need regular synchronization. The gearbox is notoriously difficult to shift (especially 1st and reverse). Check for chassis tube corrosion, body panel fit (hand-formed aluminum over tubular steel), and cooling system condition (overheating is common in traffic). The Periscopio LP400 is the collector's choice for maximum value; the 5000 QV is the performance choice. The 25th Anniversary is the most practical and affordable. Service history and provenance are critical at these price levels.
LP400 (Periscopio): 157 (1974-78, rarest and most valuable). LP400 S: 237 (1978-82). LP500 S: 323 (1982-85). 5000 QV: 610 (1985-88). 25th Anniversary: 672 (1988-90). Total: approximately 1,999 Countachs. The Periscopio (periscope rearview mirror) LP400s are the most sought-after, with values exceeding $1.5 million.