1983 Lamborghini Countach LP500S Coupe

The Lamborghini Countach was unveiled at the 1971 Geneva Auto Show. Its design was handled by Bertone stylist Marcello Gandini and drew inspiration from his earlier Alfa Romeo Carabo show car of 1968 and the Bertone Zero concept of 1970. It was low, futuristic, angular, and had the trademark scissor doors.

The Geneva show car was named the LP500, for 'Longitudinale Posteriore 5 Litri,' or longitudinal-rear five liters, with a mid-mounted V-12 engine located in front of the rear axle. The gearbox was mounted in front and positioned between the two seats. The final drive passed back through the engine sump, under the crankshaft, to the differential. This design raised the engine, necessitating the installation of side-draft Weber carburetors to maintain is low rear-deck profile. In comparison to the Lamborghini Miura, the wheelbase and overall length had been shortened. Just one LP500 was built and it was ultimately destroyed at the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) test facility in England during crash testing.

The production versions were designated the LP400 in recognition of its four-liter V-12 powerplant. Making their debut in 1973 at Geneva, they closely resembled the LP500 prototype but with a few differences at the insistence of development driver and engineer Bob Wallace. The Marchesi-built chassis was redesigned and the bodywork was now formed from lightweight aluminum. Special glass procured from Belgium's Glaverbel helped further reduce the overall weight. Additional weight-saving measures were taken by using magnesium for some mechanical components. The LP500's overheating tendencies were reduced by using additional air boxes to feed cool air to relocated radiators. Aero-efficient NACA air ducts were added to the sides of the car to further aid cooling.

Other changes included a pair of small side windows, a revised taillight design, and the use of Stewart-Warner instruments. A Fichtel & Sachs aluminum clutch and a pair of six-plug Marelli distributors rounded out the changes of the first production Countach.

Customer deliveries began in 1974. 150 examples of the LP400 were built before being succeeded by the LP400S in 1978. This was followed by the LP500S, which had a 4.8-liter V12 with a bore and stroke increase compensating for slightly lowered compression. The engine was given larger Weber carburetors, helping the car achieve a 0-60 mph dash in just 4.8 seconds.

This particular Lamborghini Countach LP500 is an original European-specification car with instruments calibrated in Metric units. It lacks the U.S.-mandated bumpers and huge rear wings found on many other examples. The current mileage is 38,835 kilometers (24,130 miles). A comprehensive restoration was completed in 2014, which included stripping the body to bare metal, where it was revealed that it had been painted both Pearl White and red. Its original paperwork describes the car as having been finished in Pearl White when it was delivered and sold new. Lamborghini's October 1983 Paris show car was also finished in Pearl White. It is believed that the show car was originally finished in red and then re-sprayed at the factory in Bianco Perlato, as the first Countach to be so finished. If true, then perhaps this car (chassis number ZA9C00500DLA12562) may have been the Paris show car.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015