1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary

The rear mid-engine Lamborghini Countach was in production from 1974 through 1990 with 1,983 examples produced during that time. Its iconic wedge-shaped design was courtesy of Marcello Gandini at Bertone with mechanical sophistication by chief engineer Paolo Stanzani. Successor to the ground-breaking Miura, development work began in 1970 under the project name 'LP112.' The name originated from the word contacc, an exclamation of astonishment in the Piedmontese language.

The 3,929cc displacement V12 engine powering the 1974 Countach LP400 had a 60-degree cylinder bank angle, two valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts per bank, and distributor ignition. It used side-draft Weber 45 DCOE carburetors and delivered 370 horsepower at 8,000 RPM. Further engine development eventually increased the engine displacement to 4,754cc (4.8 liters) in the 1982 LP500S, and then to 5,167 cc (5.2 L) with four valves per cylinder in the 1985 LP5000 Quattrovalvole. Some of the LP5000 QV cars were equipped with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection to meet US emissions regulations.

The full space frame chassis was clothed with bodies constructed primarily of unstressed aluminum panels fabricated by Bertone and supported by thin steel frames welded to the main chassis. Since the spaceframe chassis was devoid of an integrated floor panel, a separate fiberglass and aluminum panel was installed underneath the passenger compartment. Aluminum bodies were used on the LP400, which later models received body components made of fiberglass and carbon composites.

The Lamborghini Countach LP400S arrived in 1978 with a slightly detuned engine that now offered 350 horsepower. Fiberglass wheel arch extensions were added to conceal the new 345/35R15 Pirelli P7 tires. An optional, and popular, V-shaped rear wing was available over the rear deck.

In 1982, Lamborghini introduced the LP500S (sometimes called the 5000 S) with a more powerful 4,754cc engine and an updated interior. The LP500S was followed by the LP5000 Quattrovalvole in 1985, equipped with a 5,167cc (5.2 liter) engine with 4 valves per cylinder.

The Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition was created in celebration of Lamborghini's 25 years of existence. The cars had over 500 differences from the other Countach models, with the most obvious difference being the Horacio Pagani designed body kit and its large rear wing. They wore the same 345/35R15 wide tires as previous Countach models and mechanically, they were similar to the 5000QV.

Horacio Pagani's design integral front-brake cooling ducts, a slightly raised nose, lower body cladding, and the radiator air intakes behind the car's iconic scissor doors were now body color and incorporated leading edge strakes. The enlarged and extended rear 'air-box' intake ducts helped funnel cool air to the engine. A secondary pair of debossed ducts, originally situated further behind them, were positioned forward and relocated directly on top, with the previous transverse positioned fins now rotated longitudinally. The engine-bay cover used a center-raised section with dual-ducting, again to aid in cooling. Several modifications to the rear section included a rear bumper that extended outwardly from the lower-portion.

Interior revisions included power windows, new power-adjustable seats, a new steering wheel, and improved air conditioning.

Production of the Anniversary edition lasted until 1990 before being superseded by the Lamborghini Diablo. A total of 658 examples of the 25th Anniversary Editions were produced including 235 equipped with fuel injection. As the last of the Countach line, it is considered the most refined, as well as the fastest, with zero-to-sixty mph accomplished in 4.7 seconds and a top speed achieved at 183 mph.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007