Lamborghini Countach history: the versions from 1974 to 1990
Shown as a prototype at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, the Lamborghini Countach entered production in 1974 and stayed in the range until 1990. Its wedge profile, drawn by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, and its scissor doors made it the image of an era. The LP prefix, for ‘longitudinale posteriore’, refers to the position of its engine.
In 2021 Lamborghini revived the name for the Countach LPI 800-4, a recent limited-production hybrid. This page covers the original Countach and its five main versions:
- LP400 (1974–1978): V12 of around 4 litres, the pure lines of the original design; known as ‘Periscopio’ for the roof channel that served rear vision;
- LP400 S (1978–1982): wheel-arch extensions, wider tyres, optional rear wing;
- LP500 S (1982–1985): capacity raised to 4.8 litres;
- 5000 Quattrovalvole (1985–1988): 5.2 litres and four-valve cylinder heads;
- 25th Anniversary (1988–1990): restyled for the marque’s twenty-fifth anniversary, the last production Countach.
A V12 mounted ‘back to front’: Countach mechanics
The Countach mounts its V12 lengthways behind the cabin, but the opposite way round to convention: the gearbox sits ahead of the engine, between the seats, and drive returns rearwards through a shaft that runs through the engine sump to the differential. This places the gear lever close to the box and concentrates mass in the middle of the car.
The Lamborghini V12 has twin overhead camshafts per bank, driven by chains rather than belts. It breathes through six twin-choke Weber carburettors, horizontal on the early cars and downdraught on the Quattrovalvole; some Quattrovalvole cars built for the United States use fuel injection instead. Setting up and balancing this bank of carburettors is a skilled job in its own right.
What to check on a Lamborghini Countach
Under its aluminium panels, the Countach is built on a tubular steel spaceframe. That is where most of the story lies: the tubes can rust from the inside, and contact between steel and aluminium encourages galvanic corrosion that blisters the paint. Inspection therefore starts with the structure. The other known points:
- cooling, under strain from tightly packed mechanicals in a narrow bay: radiators, fans, hoses, and heat reaching the cabin;
- the clutch, known to be heavy, and its operating system;
- the struts and hinges of the scissor doors, which must hold the door open safely;
- the wiring loom, switchgear and relays;
- oil leaks, and the condition of the timing chains and their tensioners;
- glazing seals and weatherproofing, often tired.
How to restore a Lamborghini Countach
Restoring a Countach begins with a full inspection and exact identification of the version: chassis and engine numbers, equipment, details specific to each series. From one version to the next, arch extensions, wheels, seats, instruments or the wing change; a faithful restoration means knowing what the car wore when it left the factory, and keeping original parts, even tired ones.
Aluminium panels are repaired with dedicated tools, away from steel particles, and shaped by hand when a part has to be remade. The mechanicals are dismantled, measured and rebuilt according to their condition; leather and trim are made entirely in our workshop. The overall framework is set out on our classic car restoration page.
We do not show a Countach among our projects: what is described here is our method, the same one seen on the Ferrari Testarossa flat-twelve fully rebuilt in our workshop.
Countach servicing and clutch
A Countach is serviced to the manufacturer’s programme and to its real use: low mileage is no reason to skip renewing fluids, hoses and tyres. A workshop visit covers levels, leaks, cooling, brakes and suspension, followed by setting up the fuelling. Routine work is described on our Lamborghini servicing page.
The Countach clutch sits between engine and gearbox, so at the front of the V12, facing the cabin. Access follows from this unusual layout: the estimate describes the extent of dismantling before any work begins. See also our Lamborghini clutch page.
What our workshop does for a Countach
An independent workshop based in Mougins since 2017, Original Classic & Luxury Cars handles servicing, mechanical work, bodywork, paint, trim and full restoration of classic Lamborghinis. For a Countach, a first opinion can be given from photographs and videos; the detailed estimate follows an inspection, and you follow the key stages in photographs. Our approach to the marque’s other models is on our Lamborghini page.