In 1965, only a year after Lamborghini launched its very first car, the 350GT, the automotive world was shocked by the presentation of the Lamborghini Miura chassis. When the completed car was unveiled the following year with a mid-mounted four-cam V-12 engine and low, sleek, dramatic styling, it set a new standard for an Italian supercar. Many felt Lamborghini had invented the modern supercar with the Miura, but the fledgling manufacturer had only begun to make its mark. The March 1971 Geneva Show saw the unveiling of a car that, to some, made even the Miura look commonplace. Marcello Gandini had designed a shape for the LP500 that resembled a flying wedge on wheels which the technical team at Lamborghini had transformed into a functioning automobile.

It is believed the origin of the name came from someone who, upon seeing it, exclaimed “countach!” Certainly, the Piedmontese dialect expression, being the verbal equivalent of a wolf-whistle, was apt. By the time the original five-liter prototype was prepared for production, the four-liter, four-cam V-12 engine still delivered 375 hp and 266 ft/lbs of torque to propel the car to a top speed of almost 180 mph, making it just as fast as it looked. With the Countach, Lamborghini had truly created the new age of the supercar.

type	Series Production Car
production years	1974 – 1978
built at	Santa’Agata Bolognese, Italy
body stylist	Marcello Gandini
coachbuilder	Bertone
production	157
price $	$ 52,000
predeccesor	1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV
succeccesor	1978 Lamborghini Countach LP400S
engine	60° V12
position	Mid, Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
valvetrain	DOHC 2 Valves / Cyl
fuel feed	6 Twin-throat Weber 45 DCOE Carburetors
displacement	3929 cc / 239.8 in³
bore	82.0 mm / 3.23 in
stroke	62.0 mm / 2.44 in
compression	10.5:1
power	279.6 kw / 375 bhp @ 8000 rpm
specific output	95.44 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	273.72 bhp per tonne
torque	360.6 nm / 266 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm
body / frame	Aluminum Body over Steel Spaceframe
driven wheels	RWD
wheel type	Campagnolo Cast Magnesium
front tires	205/70-VR-14 Michelin XWX
rear tires	215/70-VR-14 Michelin XWX
front brakes	Girling Ventilated Discs w/Vacuum Assist
rear brakes	Girling Ventilated Discs w/Vacuum Assist
front wheels	F 35.6 x 19.1 cm / 14.0 x 7.5 in
rear wheels	R 35.6 x 24.1 cm / 14.0 x 9.5 in
steering	Rack & Pinion
f suspension	Independent w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers
r suspension	Independent w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers
curb weight	1370 kg / 3020 lbs
wheelbase	2450 mm / 96.5 in
front track	1500 mm / 59.1 in
rear track	1520 mm / 59.8 in
length	4140 mm / 163.0 in
width	1890 mm / 74.4 in
height	1070 mm / 42.1 in
transmission	5-Speed Manual
tran clutch	Single Dry Plate
gear ratios	2.256:1, 1.769:1, 1.310:1, 0.990:1, 0.775:1
final drive	4.09:1
top speed	~289.62 kph / 180 mph
0 – 60 mph	~6.8 seconds
0 – 100 mph	~13.3 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile	~14.4 seconds
fuel capacity	120 litres