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1982 Lamborghini Countach LP 500

The Lamborghini Countach was a cacophony of futuristic styling elements coupled with a daring wedge shape design, and a seemingly endless array of engineering achievements. The creation of its design began around halfway through the lifecycle of its predecessor, the Miura, as Ferruccio Lamborghini abandoned the goal of keeping up with rival marques and instead blazed a new trail. The success of the earlier Miura inspired the mid-mounted V-12 platform, and Lamborghini engineers worked tirelessly to siphon every ounce of power while maximizing every possible aerodynamic advantage with the body. It would remain in production for nearly two decades, and even when its lifecycle ending, it remained one of the most modern and draw-dropping vehicles on the road.

Paolo Stanzani, working alongside Massimo Parenti and test driver Bob Wallace, spearheaded the project. Marcello Gandini of Bertone penned the design, and a prototype was displayed in 1971 at the Geneva International Motor Show. After the show, designers and engineers returned to the drawing board, making adjustments as needed. The basic shape of the prototype shown in 1971 remained virtually unchanged over its nearly two-decade lifespan.

A second Countach prototype wearing a red paint scheme was shown to the public at the 1973 Geneva Motor Show, and then was repainted green and shown at the Paris Motor Show (1973). The third Countach prototype was shown at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show and had the finalized production LP400 body style. The first production model of the Countach was the LP400, produced from 1974 until 1978, with a total of 157 examples built.

Engine

Due to durability issues, the first production Countach models were equipped with the tried-and-true 3.9-liter (3,929 cc) V12 engine(Type L 406), as used in the Miura. It had a 60-degree cylinder bank angle, two valves per cylinder, and double overhead camshafts. Powering the 1974 Countach LP400, the 3.9-liter unit developed 370 horsepower at 8,000 RPM, which was less than that of the Miura SV. The Miura used down-draft carburetors, while the engine in the Countach received side-draft Weber 45 DCOE carburetors. Displacements grew to 4,754cc (4.8 liters) in the 1982 LP500S, and then to 5,167 cc (5.2 liters) with four valves per cylinder in the 1985 LP5000 Quattrovalvole. Six Weber carburetors were used until the introduction of the LP5000 QV model, which used Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection to comply with US emissions regulations. Examples that remained in Europe continued to use carburetors.

Specification

The Lamborghini Countach had a wheelbase size of 96.46 inches, a length of 162.99 inches, a height of 42.13 inches, and initially a width of 74.28 inches. After the LP 400, the width increased to 78.7 inches.

During the prototype and testing phase, many revisions were made to the chassis design. The first prototype used steel sheet and square tube construction, but the second prototype entirely disregarded this setup in favor of a full space frame constructed of welded round-section steel tubing. The updated design was stiffer and weighed less but involved a more complex welded assembly of cross-braced tubular frames. The full space frame chassis used in the second Countach prototype was used on subsequent production cars (basically unaltered). Chassis construction was handled by Marchesi of Modena, who had produced chassis for earlier Lamborghini models.

The LP400 wore Michelin XWX tires, with the front measuring 205/70R14 and the rear 215/70R14. The LP400 S received Pirelli P7 tires measuring 345/35R15, the widest tires available on a production automobile at the time. The wheel arches grew accordingly to cover the wider tires.

The LP400 S

The LP400 S was introduced in 1978 with wider tires and fiberglass wheel arches, and a slightly detuned engine now delivering 350 horsepower. A V-shaped rear wing was optional which improved high-speed stability but reduced the overall top speed by approximately ten mph. Approximately 237 examples of the LP 400 S were built through 1982. The first fifty examples, known as 'Series One,' wore Campagnolo 'Bravo' wheels with protruding hole edges and had a lowered suspension ride height. The 'Series Two' cars (105 examples built) had concave wheels, and the 'Series Three' examples had a higher suspension ride height than that of the Series I and Series II cars.

The LP500 S

In some markets, the LP500 S is known as the 5000 S. Produced from 1982 through 1985, a total of 321 examples were constructed. These were powered by a 4,754cc, carbureted V-12 engine with 9.2:1 compression (lower compression than the LP 400 S of 10.5:1) and delivering 370 horsepower and 308 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 RPM. It delivered the same amount of horsepower as the LP400, but with more torque (42 more lb-ft of torque). Compared to its predecessor, the LP400 S, it had 20 more horsepower and 45 more lb-ft of torque.

The LP5000 Quattrovalvole (5000 QV)

In 1985, engine displacement once again grew, now measuring 5,167cc. It received the name quattro valvole, Italian words referencing its four valves per cylinder. The repositioning of the carburetors from the sides to the top of the engine resulted in better cooling but required a hump on the engine cover, which reduced rearward visibility.

Six hundred and text examples were built with carburetors and sixty-six examples with fuel injection. With six Weber carburetors installed, the engine output was rated at 449 hp at 7,000 RPM and 369 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 RPM. With Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, the engine delivered 414 horsepower.

The 25th Anniversary Edition

The last evolution of the Countach was the '25th Anniversary' model, built to celebrate the 25 years of the marque. Bertone's iconic styling was elevated to new heights by Horacio Pagani, with the front bumper receiving integral brake-cooling ducts, the nose raised slightly, and a new rear bumper added. There were body-color air intakes, leading-edge air strakes to the scissor doors, and lower-body cladding. Ventilated discs with 4-piston calipers delivered stopping power, the competition-style, fully independent suspension improved handling, and the new Pirelli P-Zero tires enhanced grip. The interior gained power windows, a new steering wheel, improved air conditioning, and new power-adjustable seats.

These silver anniversary models were produced until 1990 before being superseded by the Lamborghini Diablo. A total of 657 examples were built. A total of 1,983 cars were built during the Countach's sixteen-year lifetime.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

Even during an era of tightening government control and rising emission regulations, auto manufacturers continued to explore and develop new technologies. The industry was being forced to abandon carburetors for another environmentally friendly means of making power.

This Lamborghini is a 1982 model and the Geneva show car. It is the first 5 litre Countach to be imported to the United States. Lamborghini feared its vehicles would not comply with US regulations which would result in a loss of the lucrative US market. As a result, they commissioned this car, the prototype for fuel-injection, to meet regulations while retaining the tried-and-true Countach performance. After passing the requirements and proving the technology, the car was sent back to the factory and displayed on the show circuit as the prototype for the 5000s Countach model. A short time later, all Lamborghini's were fitted with fuel-injection systems.

The Lamborghini Countach Fuel-Injected Prototype remains in original condition. The exterior paint is in excellent condition, considering its age and the distinct blue leather interior is also in fine condition. The car has low mileage - still under 10,000 - and has lived a rather stationary and well maintained life.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZA9C00500CLA12507

Lamborghini stunned the automotive community with their Miura at the 1965 Geneva Motor Show with its mid-mounted transverse V-12. The design was courtesy of Marcello Gandini and he introduced another groundbreaking design in 1971 - the LP 400 Countach. It predicated the angular style typical of the 1980s, ten years in advance. Power was from a four-liter V12 offering 375 horsepower.

The Lamborghini Countach featured upward-hinging 'scissor doors', fender flares, wide tires, and safety bumpers for the American market. A total of 110 early 'periscopo' models were built between 1974 and 1977. Seventy-seven additional examples of the LP 400 were produced with more conventional mirrors. The 400S was introduced in 1978, with fender flares and an optional rear wing.

In 1982, the engine was enlarged to almost five liters, thus birthing the LP 400S, also known sa the 5000S. Stiffer U.S. emission regulations meant that carbureted grey market imports could no longer pass EPA standards.

This example is the 1982 Geneva Motor Show car. It was brought to the United States and served as the development car for the United States version, utilizing a Bosch fuel injection unit to control emissions. When complete, the car passed the EPA tests and it was later sent back to Italy to serve as the U.S. production prototype.

The car is finished in its salon-car livery of silver with a blue leather interior. The car has never been restored and is very original. The DOT bumpers that were fitted by the factory in 1984 have since been removed, and though it was once equipped with fuel injection, it has more recently been retrofitted with the original-specification Weber carburetors.

The engine has been completely rebuilt along with the transaxle. It is a low mileage example with fewer than 18,000 kilometers.

by Dan Vaughan

The Lamborghini Countach was the predecessor to the very successful Miura, and it wore a body designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, with exotic mid-engine layout in a two-door coupe configuration. It featured an attractive, wedge-shaped, and angular body with elegant lines and fitted with modern mechanical components and technology. The engine was mounted longitudinally and replaced the transverse layout of its predecessor. The transmission was now fitted in front of the engine offering excellent weight distribution. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a driveshaft, which ran in its own tunnel in the engine's sump. Top speed was achieved at nearly 200 mph with zero-to-sixty taking under six seconds.

The Countach was first shown to the public at the 1971 Geneva Motorshow. It was dubbed the Countach LP500, for its five-liter powerplant. It was finished in an eye-catching bright sunflower yellow and had small air intake ducts. The production version, though similar in design, was a vast departure from the prototype version. The car customers received did not have the five-liter engine or the monocoque chassis. Instead, a four-liter derivative engine was mounted inside a tubular frame. Though the engine was smaller in displacement size, it was much more reliable and durable. The 5-liter unit had failed initial testing and was destroyed during a high-speed test session. Part of the issue was the car's poor ability to keep the engine cool, which eventually resulted in larger air ducts.

The prototype car was destroyed in a European crash test demonstration. A sad end to a unique vehicle that could only be described as 'priceless' in the modern era.

The Countach had elegant lines that ran from the front to the rear in classic Bertone style. The only things disrupting those lines were the vehicle's cooling vents, which were necessary to provide air to the engine. The doors opened in a scissor-like fashion and added to the ambiance and exotic nature of the vehicle.

Two years after the Geneva Motorshow debut, the production version was ready for the customers. The cars were called the 'Countach LP400', again, in reference to the vehicle's engine displacement size. The car remained in production for two decades; during that time five different versions and iterations of the Countach were offered. By 1982, a suitable five-liter engine had been created and could be found in the vehicle's engine bay; three years later the engine evolved again, being given four-valve heads and increasing horsepower to 455 for the European versions.

The first individual to receive a Countach was an Australian who took possession in 1974. D. Milne was a member of the Australian Defense Force Transport Corps.

This car, along with most of the other cars built by Lamborghini had one purpose: To beat Ferrari. Mr. Ferruccio Lamborghini, a tractor manufacturer, had an argument with Enzo Ferrari. He had bought a Ferrari and had a complaint about the car. When he approached Enzo Ferrari with his comments, Enzo replied that the problem was with the driver and not with the car. He also remarked that Ferruccio was just a tractor maker and did not understand real engineering. The result was a supercar dynasty.

The first series of Countach's were known as the LP400 followed by the LP400S in 1978. The engine was further increased in 1982 to 4.8 liters and the model designation changed to LP500s. The LP500S was Lamborghini's response to Ferrari's 'Boxer' car, the 365 GT4. It was called 'Boxer' because it used a horizontally opposed engine that resembled a boxer boxing. Ferrari's response to the LP500S was the Testarossa. Once again, Lamborghini answered by creating the Quattrovalvole that produced 455 horsepower.

Electric fans and large ducts located behind the door helped with keeping the mid-engine V-12 cool. By placing the engine in the middle, better handling was achieved through better weight distribution. The body was made entirely of alloy except for the fiberglass doors.

Trunk space was limited. Both the front and the rear had minimal compartments for storage.

A rear spoiler was optional and provided extra downforce and stability. It also looked good as well.

In 1991, after twenty years of production, the Countach was laid to rest to make room for the new Diablo. There were 157 examples of the LP400 produced; 237 of the LP400S. 321 of the LP500S were created and 676 examples of the LP500S QV. The 25th Anniversary edition had some of the highest production figures of all the Countach's, second to the LP500S QV, with 650 examples being produced.

by Dan Vaughan