The first Lamborghini Countach was made 50 years ago
This mind-blowing supercar was the first exotic and set the precedent for what would become the finest example of 80s style
The yellow Lamborghini Countach LP500 was not just the wildest imaginable concept car when it showed up on the stand on March 11, 1971, at the Geneva Motor Show. When the Countach actually went into production three short years later in 1974, it would go on to become the stuff of dreams and legends, as well as the first car to actually be “mass produced” in Lamborghini’s Sant’Agata Bolognese factory.
The Countach had an impact beyond its production numbers
While a total of around 2,000 Countach examples from five different series were produced between 1974 and 1990, the car’s impact went way beyond what the relatively low production numbers would indicate. The fame generated by the Countach’s imposing presence kept the factory busy enough for it to survive its most difficult years.
The Countach was the first Lamborghini built on-site
The Countach was a total departure from the Miura and all other previous Lamborghini vehicles. Before the Countach, outside coachbuilding firms would build Lamborghini bodies, which were then shipped to the factory for installation of the mechanical components.
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The Countach was the first Lambo actually made in-house on a production line, from the hand-beaten body panels to the upholstered interiors installed within them. This process evolved over the years into the current blend of the best of hand craftsmanship with the latest technology. 
Five different Countach models were produced
During its 26 years in production, a total of five different models of the Countach came off the assembly line. As the performance of each variant increased, its form factor evolved to meet customers’ increased expectations. What remained the same were the Countach’s V12-powered mid-engine layout, its tubular chassis with aluminum body panels, and its five-speed manual gearbox.
The Countach LP 400 was the original
The LP 400 was the first Countach to roll off the line. Its designation stands for Longitudinale Posteriore, meaning that its V12 engine is arranged lengthwise and behind the driver. The “400” represents its 4-liter engine size. Its power output was 370 horsepower, with a zero-to-62 mph (100 km) time of 5.4 seconds.
The LP 400 was the cleanest of the Countach body designs, penned by the duo of Marcello Gandini and Nuccio Bertone. It featured no fender extensions or spoilers and featured the “Periscopio” rear-view mirror with a recessed view port built into the roof. A total of 152 LP 400s were made between 1974 and 1978.
The Countach LP 400 S marked the model's first upgrade
Based on an upgraded version of the LP 400 built for a Canadian enthusiast, the LP 400 S added Pirelli low-profile tires on the now-famous “telephone dial” wheels, which necessitated the extended wheel arches. A spoiler was also placed under the front bumper. Film fans will recognize that the photo above depicts the customized Countach featured in "The Cannonball Run."
The LP 400 S was introduced at the 1978 Geneva Show. It was built from 1979 to 1981 in three different series, which vary from each other primarily in wheel style and ride height. A total of 235 were produced. Horsepower was up to 375, with a top speed of nearly 180 mph.
The Countach 5000 S brought increased displacement
Lamborghini’s next evolution of the Countach was a reaction to emissions regulations. The engine size of the 5000 S was increased to 4.8 liters but its compression ratio was reduced, keeping its power output at 375, the same as the LP 400 S.
Aside from its somewhat more integrated front spoiler and fender flares, it looked much like the previous LP 400 S. The photo above shows a 5000 S in the factory during the assembly process. A total of 323 examples of the Countach 5000 S were made between 1982 and 1984.
The Countach Quattrovalvole further upped the ante
The Quattrovalvole (QV), or four-valve Countach, featured a major power boost for the model. The combination of four-valve cylinder heads, Bosch fuel injection (for U.S. cars only), and a 5.2-liter displacement produced 420 horsepower in U.S. trim and 455 for the rest of the world in carbureted form.
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Differences in appearance from the 5000 S included revised rocker panels, a bulged hood to clear the new QV engine and an ugly front bumper on the U.S. models. From 1985 to 1988, there were 631 QVs produced at Sant’Agata Bolognese.
The Countach 25th Anniversary was the last hurrah
This final Countach model celebrated the company’s 25th anniversary in the automotive business. Made from 1988 until 1990, it was the company’s best-selling car to date, with 658 made. The Countach 25th Anniversary was completely restyled, boasting around 500 different upgrades and changes. The engine was essentially unchanged from the QV.
The influence of Horatio Pagani, who later left Lamborghini to build his own exotic cars, can be seen in the revised bodywork on the 25th Anniversary Countach. The air intakes and hoods were now made of carbon fiber, the front spoiler featured front brake ducts, and the radiator air intakes aft of the doors were body colored and no longer black.
The handling was also improved and the interior was upgraded with electric windows, power seats, sound insulation, and better A/C. 
Final thoughts
The Lamborghini Countach was undoubtedly the first exotic car. It was also the first exotic to have an outsized cultural influence on the lives of car enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts worldwide, far larger than the 2,000 examples made over 26 years would suggest. It was the subject of innumerable posters found on the bedroom walls of males of all ages and even had a presence in many TV shows and movies of the period, including “Miami Vice” and “The Cannonball Run.”
The Countach was both a status symbol and an object of desire during its time in the spotlight. Countach values in the collector market are holding steady or increasing, depending on the model, so these cars will continue to be preserved for future generations to appreciate.
Will there ever be another car that captures the imagination of so many quite like the Lamborghini Countach did?
