Lamborghini launched in 1965 its first car, the 350GT which impressed the audience. Later, when the Miura was unveiled equipped with a mid-mounted four-cam V12 engine, the Italian automaker set a new standard for the supercar market. Some people think that Lamborghini invented the modern supercar by releasing the Miura, but this car was only the beginning of the futuristic ideas Lamborghini introduced over the years.
In 1971 at the Geneva Auto Show was revealed another incredible car that made the Miura look commonplace. Lamborghini’s designer, Marcello Gandini, created a supercar that resembled a flying wedge on wheels. This was the Lamborghini Countach LP500. New improvements were made to the Countach LP500. As a result of these improvements, in 1973 at the Geneva Auto Show was revealed the first Lamborghini Countach LP400. This car was painted in a bright red color on the exterior while inside this supercar was covered in black suede. The Lamborghini Countach LP400 impressed with its air intakes and the NACA ducts. It was equipped with a 4.0 liter engine able to produce 353bhp while the digital gauges and the periscope rear view mirror were removed.
After this event Bob Wallace decided to make this Lamborghini the subject of a series of road tests. As a result a second Lamborghini Countach LP400 was manufactured using this time a tubular chassis. Other improvements include the placement of the driving lights on the front bumper together with air intakes underneath for the front brakes. This second Lamborghini Countach LP400 was painted in dark green with brown upholstery and was revealed at the 1973 Paris Auto Show. The second model was used to manufacture the “Master model” which was a wooden construction.
Lamborghini Countach LP400
The first production prototype was manufactured entirely in the Lamborghini factory in the autumn of 1973. This Lamborghini Countach LP400 featured an interesting side window arrangement using three pieces of glass. The interior of the car was improved with a new dashboard equipped with American Stewart Warner instrumentation. The exterior color chosen for this model was bright yellow while the interior was covered in natural brown upholstery.
In 1974 the first production Lamborghini Countach LP400 left the factory and was delivered in Milan to a customer. Nowadays, this model is one of the most wanted Countachs. The Lamborghini enthusiasts think that the original Countach LP400 is the only “uncluttered” model manufactured by the Italian automaker which doesn’t have wings, wide wheels, only pure lines. Nowadays, these Countach LP400 models are the most interesting type of Coutach cars that is wanted by any car collector and is considered to be a great investment.
For example, in 2009 at the RM Auctions Sports&Classics of Monterey, a 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 was estimated at $315,000. Unfortunately, it wasn’t sold that day. In 2010, the Gooding & Company organized the Amelia Island Auction and along with the classic cars displayed a 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopo was also auctioned and sold for $330,000. This Countach was restored by the Lamborghini Specialists Ultimate Motor Works shop in Florida and features now a Blu Tahiti exterior completed by the Bianco-Blu upholstery.
In the same year, during the 2010 Automobiles of London, RM Auctions sold a 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 “Periscopo” for €224,047. This model is the 15th car built and the first right-hand drive model. Its exterior color is the incredible Arancio while the interior was finished in Bianco leather, but later it was changed to Rosso leather.
All in all, the Lamborghini Countach LP400 is an incredible supercar which impresses because of its incredible exterior design and high performance components.
Post tags: Tags: 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400, American Stewart Warner, Lamborghini Countach LP400
