1979 Lamborghini Countach LP400S Coupe

Four years after the production Countach LP 400 was introduced at the Geneva Salon in 1974, the company introduced the second variant, the Lamborghini LP 400S. The 400S received very few changes to the car's aesthetics, retaining the same distinct flair and Bertone styling as its predecessor. Instead, the company addressed the minor quirks and flaws. It was given wider Pirelli tires, which helped deliver the car's 375 horsepower to the ground. The bodywork received subtle flares, and the suspension geometry was completely revised to accommodate the larger tire sizes. The result was a more aggressive appearance and a top speed of nearly 180 mph.

During the production lifespan of the LP 400 S, a total of 237 examples were produced in three distinct series. Fifty cars were built in the first series, making them the rarest of all three series of LP 400S. These Series 1 cars rode on Campagnolo Bravo wheels (nicknamed 'telephone dials'). Later Series I cars were fitted with larger gauges.

This particular example is a LP 400S Series 1 model and is the second to last U.S.-federalized example produced and the third to last Series I example ever produced. The car left the factory finished in Tahiti Blue with a blue interior, and fitted with the larger Weber 45 DCOE carburetors. The original owner was Par Karmangar of San Diego, California who retained the car for over two decades. During his ownership, the seats were reupholstered in the current black, but the dashboard and carpets remain original.

In 2001, the car received minor cosmetic damage to the right front fender. Shortly thereafter, it was sold from Karmangar's ownership to Carlos Costa, of Campbell, California, and repair work soon followed. Prior to the sale to its current caretaker, the car was mechanically serviced.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015