1974 Lamborghini Countach Coupe

Lamborghini would introduce the concept of the supercar with its Miura. However, Lamborghini would go even further, producing a veritable supercar that many would only behold in posters on the wall or on the big screen. Its wedge shape and angular lines would become immediately iconic; a futuristic sports car that fit an age when reaching to the stars never seemed closer.

In 1971, Lamborghini would arrive at the Geneva Motor Show with something straight out of science-fiction. It was an era of discovery and adventure, especially about the world of the stars. Man was still making visits to the moon and people were still talking about a computer named 'Hal'. It appeared the future and the present had collided. Lamborghini was about to introduce the world to that concept in an automobile.

Merely years prior, the Bertone design studio had introduced its Miura design. At Geneva, in 1971, the design firm was to shock and amaze again as the new Countach prototype took its place in the show. Generally reserved for adoration of a woman's beauty, the name 'Countach' seemed appropriate for this latest Lamborghini. It seemed as though the future was possible in the present. Everything about the car was futuristic, and therefore, evocative.

Just 42 inches in height, but wide and flat, the new Countach appeared an unidentified flying object. Everything about the car was straight out of science-fiction. There was the cabin-forward design, the wedged-shaped body and, of course, the scissor doors. And, with a five-liter engine providing the power, customers would have their own rocket ship for the road.

Following the appearance of that first Countach prototype in 1971, there would be a couple of years before the first production models would be completed. Inevitably, there would be some changes from the prototype. However, in the case of the Countach, those changes could be considered some of its most iconic of identifying marks. The first series to enter production would be known as the LP 400. They would remain similar to the prototype but they would include the vents above the rear wheels and, of course, the large NACA vents positioned to either side of the car. While some of these revisions would help to make the Countach so memorable, they would also come with a cost, mostly in rearward visibility. Therefore, to counter the problems with visibility, the first LP 400s would come with a periscope-style rear-view mirror. As a result, Lamborghini would have another small family of cars known as 'Periscopo'.

The very first example of the Lamborghini Countach LP 400 would be delivered in 1974. In total, just 150 examples of the LP 400 would be produced. These would become some of the most desirable of all of the Countach models.

The sixth LP 400 to roll out of the factory would be 1120010. Completed on the 5th of July, 0010 would be delivered to Achilli Motors in Milan on the 26th of the same month. The car would arrive adorned in Rosso Chiaro, or light red, and completed with a black leather interior. Famously, it would be the Innocenti family that would be the car's first owner.

The car would remain in Italy until around 1980 when it made its way to the United States. Upon arriving in the U.S. the Lamborghini make its way into the hands of Gordon Apker. Mr. Apker would recognize just what a powerful draw the Countach was and it's noted this car made frequent appearances in Make-A-Wish Foundation events.

The Countach would remain the symbol of Lamborghini for decades. Owners would have just as difficult a time parting with theirs. Apker would be no different. Having purchased 0010 around 1980, the car would remain in his possession until almost 1989 when it would come into the hands of its current owner.

The current owner had been taken by the Countach the moment he had first seen one and 0010 was certainly a prime example having less than 11,000 miles on it and everything inside and out being original. Even to this very day, 0010 remains highly authentic, if not a window into what was supposed to be. This is evidence by spots of light metallic green paint underneath Rosso Chiaro. This evidence would suggest 0010 is so authentic that it demonstrates the color it was to be before the order from the Innocenti family came into the factory.

Even with the chipped paint exposing its intended color, 0010 remains a genuine, real-life illustration of Lamborghini and Bertone colliding present and future, science-fiction and reality into one 'remarkably beautiful' icon of a supercar.

The 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 Periscopo would be made available for sale at the 2014 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach auction. When it was all over, 0010 would garner a sale price of $1,870,000, far exceeding pre-auction estimates.

By Jeremy McMullen