As you delve into the iconic Lamborghini Countach, you’ll discover a sweet spot between 1981 and 1985, when the Mimran family stepped in to address liquidity issues. During this period, some of the most coveted models were produced, with price tags ranging from $800,000 and up.
But what about the not-so-glamorous early days? From 1971 to 1973, the Countach’s radical design and compromised functionality made it a challenging ride. You’ll want to examine more about what made these years so different, and what set the Countach apart.
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Key Takeaways
- The Countach’s 15-year production span from 1971 to 1990 saw limited annual output of 120 cars per year, making it a rare find.
- The 1981 intervention by the Mimran family addressed liquidity problems, stabilizing the production and supply of Countaches.
- The Countach’s V12 engine, such as the 3.9-litre 370bhp engine, was a powerhouse, making it a formidable competitor on the road.
- The Countach’s radical design and quirks, like the scissor doors and chunky instrument layout, made it a love-it-or-hate-it car.
- The prices of Countaches ranged from $800,000 and up, making it a luxury item for the wealthy and exotic car enthusiasts.
Design and Features
With its low roofline of just over 1m (42in) high, getting in and out of the Countach can be a challenge, especially for taller drivers.
You’ll need to duck down to enter, and be mindful of the doors, which swing upwards like scissors doors, requiring careful closure to avoid making an indent.
The interior is a sensory feast, with a chunky instrument pod and vibrant leather accents.
Small windows, including a tiny rear window, add to the car’s dramatic, attention-grabbing design, with the door hinge showcasing the meticulous design.
Driving Experience
As you settle into the driver’s seat, the Countach’s cockpit envelopes you, its snug dimensions prominent on the road ahead. You grip the steering wheel, feeling its contoured shape fit comfortably in your palms. The instrument cluster, a mix of analog and digital gauges, provides crucial information at a glance.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Seating | Snug, adjustable buckets with prominent side bolsters |
| Visibility | Excellent forward view, restricted rear visibility |
| Ergonomics | Well-placed pedals, intuitive control layout |
| Ambiance | Cockpit-focused, driver-centric environment |
Performance
The Countach’s V12 engine unbridles its fury, propelling you forward with unrelenting torque that’s both a thrill and a challenge to harness.
You’ll feel its power as it tears past 100mph, still feeling completely stable.
The later models offer better stability at high speeds, with the 25th Anniversary edition achieving 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and reaching 186mph.
With its DOHC 24-valve V-12 engine, the 1983 Lamborghini Countach 5000S produces 348 hp and 319 lb-ft of torque, making it a force to be reckoned with.
Specifications and History
As you delve into the Lamborghini Countach‘s specifications and history, you’ll discover a timeline that spans from its 1971 debut as the Miura’s successor.
To its 1990 production halt. You’ll find that the Countach’s engine specifications, which developed from a 3.9-litre 370bhp engine to a 5.1-litre 449bhp powerhouse.
With a limited production of 120 cars per year, the Countach’s numbers are as exclusive as its performance.
Countach Timeline
You step into the Countach’s timeline, where specifications and history converge.
Fifteen years ago, the Countach’s body was shaped, with limited knowledge of aerodynamics.
In 1971, it was revealed as a successor to the Miura, featuring a full spaceframe chassis.
Production began in 1973, with a limit of 120 cars per year, and continued until 1990, despite periodic financial struggles.
The Mimran family intervened in 1981 to address liquidity issues.
Through the years, the Countach’s design refined, achieving better stability at high speeds and a unique driving experience.
Engine Specifications
Beneath the Countach’s sleek body lies a powerhouse of an engine, carefully crafted to deliver exceptional performance.
The first LP400’s 3.9-litre engine produces 370bhp, achieving 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds and reaching 179mph.
The 1983 Countach 5000S boasts a DOHC 24-valve V-12 engine with port fuel injection, displacing 290 in3 and producing 348 hp @ 7500 rpm.
The V-12 engine is positioned longitudinally, making it difficult to stall and willing to rev.
You’ll notice the absence of Weber carburetors, replaced by more modern fuel injection systems, further enhancing performance.
Production Numbers
The Countach’s impressive performance is matched by its exclusive production run.
You’ll be surprised to learn that Lamborghini limited production to just 120 units per year, starting in 1973.
This deliberate pace allowed the factory to focus on quality over quantity, despite periodic financial setbacks.
The Mimran family’s intervention in 1981 helped stabilize the company, ensuring the Countach’s legend was cemented.
With production numbers this exclusive, it’s no wonder the Countach has become a coveted prize for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Overall Impression
As you slide into the Countach’s cockpit, you’ll quickly realize this isn’t a car you can simply jump in and out of – it demands time and attention to appreciate its unique design and features.
You’ll need to get accustomed to its quirky nature, from the upward-opening doors to the heavy steering and effort-required clutch.
But as you spend more time with the Countach, its characterful traits will start to reveal themselves, and you’ll find yourself enthralled by its distinctive sound, smell, and overall driving experience.
Learning the Countach
You slide into the Countach’s bucket seat, and it envelops you, pushing your shoulders forward at an unnatural angle.
This is a car that requires learning, not just jumping in and driving.
The scissors doors need to be handled carefully, and the heavy clutch and precise gearlever demand your full attention.
As you start driving, the powerful V12 engine thrills and terrifies you, making you feel like you’re on a mission.
The Countach is an experience that gets under your skin, but it takes time and effort to get accustomed to its unique characteristics, and that’s all part of the learning process.
Countach’s Quirky Nature
Getting familiar with the Countach’s unique personality takes more than just driving skills – it requires a certain mindset.
You’ll need to adapt to its quirky gated shifter, which can be finicky at times. The clutch pedal requires a delicate touch, and the accelerator demands a smooth, deliberate motion.
As you navigate through twisty roads, you’ll discover its tendency to understeer, which demands quick corrections.
It’s a car that keeps you on your toes, making every drive an exhilarating experience.
With time, you’ll develop a deep connection with the Countach’s eccentricities, and that’s when the magic happens.
Performance and Technical Highlights
Twenty-five years of Lamborghini’s relentless pursuit of innovation have culminated in the Countach 5000S, boasting a DOHC 24-valve V-12 engine that’s meticulously crafted with an aluminum block and port fuel injection. You’ll experience the thrill of driving as you reach a top speed of 150, or 160 mph with the optional wing. The engine’s power-output shaft extends back through the engine’s sump to the differential.
| Performance | Figures |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 348 hp @ 7500 rpm |
| Torque | 319 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm |
| Acceleration | 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds |
Specifications and Performance
The Countach’s specifications sheet reads like a supercar enthusiast’s wish fulfillment, with each figure and dimension meticulously crafted to deliver an unforgettable driving experience.
You’ll find:
- A 3.9-litre engine producing 370bhp, with a torque curve that peaks at 319 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
- A 5-speed manual transmission, with a curb weight of 3320 lb and dimensions of 96.5 in x 168.0 in x 78.7 in x 42.1 in
- Performance figures that include a 0-60mph time of 5.4 sec and a quarter-mile time of 13.5 sec at 107 mph
The 5000S model boasting a 5.1-litre engine, with a displacement of 290 in3, 44754 cm3, and a power output of 348 hp @ 7500 rpm
Driving Experience and Impressions
Slipping behind the Countach’s wheel, you’re immediately enveloped in a driving experience that’s as visceral as it is demanding. The cockpit’s 83-dBA sound level at cruise is intense, and the quick steering response demands attention. But be prepared for understeer at both low and high speeds, making careful handling essential.
| Handling | Experience |
|---|---|
| Directional stability | Very good |
| Steering response | Quick |
| Understeer | Substantial |
| Clutch effort | Extremely high |
| Side vision | Severely limited |
Miscellaneous
You’re about to discover the Countach’s notoriety, which has earned it a reputation for fame and infamy.
As you delve into this aspect, you’ll find that its outrageous design and extraordinary performance have made it a symbol of excess, turning heads wherever it goes.
Countach Fame
Countach’s outrageous shape is almost impossible to ignore, but it’s the details that make it stand out, attracting a lot of admiring attention from fellow motorists who stare in shock and awe when they see the beautiful car.
You can’t help but notice:
- Its presence is likened to walking down Fifth Avenue with Pia Zadora dressed in Saran Wrap, making it a symbol of wretched excess that intimidates other exotic-car makers.
- Lamborghini started producing the Countach in 1973 and has continued ever since, with a limit of 120 cars per year, making it a rare find with prices ranging from $800,000 and up.
- The factory has had periodic lapses into bankruptcy, but the Mimran family brought their resources to bear on the liquidity problems in 1981, ensuring a continuing supply of Countaches.
- Lamborghini has intimidated other exotic-car makers back into the middle of the road, earning it a reputation for tactical wretched-excess superiority.
Countach Infamy
As the Countach’s outrageous shape and design elements, such as its scissor doors and chunky instrument pod, continue to attract a lot of admiring attention, it’s hard not to associate it with a “bad boy” image. You can’t help but wonder what kind of “bad boy” owns such a car, making it a symbol of wretched excess.
| Design Element | Impact on Driver | Perception by Others |
|---|---|---|
| Scissor doors | Difficult to get in/out | Shock and awe |
| Chunky instrument pod | Cluttered, ergonomic nightmare | Garish, attention-seeking |
| Low roofline, wide sills | Difficult to see out when cornering | Aggressive, imposing |
| Angled side windows | Reduced visibility | Menacing, mysterious |
Design and Features
With its radical stance and futuristic silhouette, the Countach’s design is a masterclass in compromise, where style and functionality coexist in a delicate balance.
You can’t help but notice the car’s outrageous shape, which are almost impossible to ignore.
- Scissors doors that open upward like a paper cutter
- Side windows that are angled in a way that makes it difficult to see out when cornering
- A body made of aluminum, except for the roof and fender flares
- A chunky, clunky instrument pod with a layout that’s a masterclass in how not to do ergonomics
Interior and Driving Experience
You’ll find that settling into the driver’s seat is a mixed bag, as the seats themselves are quite comfortable,
yet the clutch effort is incredibly high, making stop-and-go traffic a real challenge.
As you start moving, you’ll appreciate the precision,
but you’ll also notice that visibility is severely limited, with blind spots that’ll have you adjusting your mirrors frequently.
It’s a unique driving experience, to say the least, one that requires your full attention and adaptation.
Seat Comfort Issues
Stepping into the driver’s seat, you’re immediately struck by the Countach’s bucket seat, pushing your shoulders forward at an unnatural angle.
This unique design contributes to the seat discomfort, making long drives a challenge.
- The small windows that only open slightly add to the claustrophobic feeling, making the driving experience uncomfortable.
- The seats, similar to those found in a Ferrari Daytona, offer a distinctive yet not necessarily comfortable driving experience.
- The 3-pedal layout, reminiscent of old-school Lamborghinis, can be awkward to navigate, adding to the overall discomfort of the driving experience.
Shifter Precision Matters
The Countach’s shifter demands attention, its precise action a stark contrast to the seats’ discomfort. You’ll appreciate the gated shifter, reminiscent of old-school Lamborghinis, with a 3-pedal layout similar to Ferrari Daytonas. The shifter’s firm push and stiffish action require effort, making shifting dramatic.
| Model | Transmission | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Countach 5000S | 5-speed manual | 3320 lb |
You’ll find the clutch is extremely high, and steering could use hydraulic assistance. However, the shifter precision and exhaust note’s raw, unfiltered excitement.
Visibility Challenges
As you settle into the Countach’s cockpit, it becomes apparent that visibility is a major concern, particularly when cornering or changing lanes.
You’ll struggle to see out of the angled side windows, and the small rear window provides minimal visibility.
At low speeds, you’ll need to rely on your mirrors to navigate through tight spaces.
- The side windows are angled, making it difficult to see out when cornering
- The rear corners are blind until adjusted to the side mirrors
- The low roofline makes it a challenge to get in and out of the car
- The small rear window provides minimal visibility
Performance and Competition
You slide behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Countach, and its V12 engine growls, keen to unbridle its fury.
As you put the pedal to the metal, the Countach’s 348 hp and 319 lb-ft of torque propel you to high speeds, reaching 150 mph with ease and 160 mph with the optional wing.
You’ll accelerate from 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds, and devour the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds at 107 mph.
The Countach’s V12 is a powerhouse, tearing past 100 mph mark with stability, making it a formidable competitor on the road.
Unique Features and Quirks
Behind the Countach’s iconic scissor doors lies a domain of eccentricities that define its character.
You’ll notice the unique smell of raw gas inside, a characteristic that’s emblematic of its handbuilt nature. The fit and finish may not be perfect, but that’s to be expected from a 1970s and 1980s handbuilt Lamborghini.
- A unique ashtray and lighter, a relic of a bygone era when smoking was more prevalent
- A rough ride, with the interior getting warm, especially on hot days due to limited ventilation options
- A distinctive sound, with a loud, raw, and unfiltered exhaust note that’s music to many enthusiasts’ ears
Lifestyle and Philosophy
Owning a Lamborghini Countach is a commitment to unapologetic flamboyance, where the boundaries of convention are willfully breached for the sake of self-expression.
You’re not just buying a car; you’re adopting a lifestyle that celebrates extravagance.
Your daily commute becomes a spectacle, with all eyes fixed on the Countach’s bold design.
You’re making a statement – one that screams confidence, rebellion, and a refusal to blend in.
As you slip behind the wheel, you’re not just driving; you’re experiencing an extension of yourself, a reflection of your personality and values.
When looking at performance cars, make sure to check out our guides on models like the Lamborghini Revuelto, Lamborghini Huracán, Lamborghini Aventador and Lamborghini Urus. Knowing which model years to target and which to avoid is crucial. Our expert reviews break down these models, providing insights into the years that are celebrated for their engineering excellence and driving satisfaction, as well as those that are best to avoid due to potential issues.
