The Raging Bull’s 50 Year Reign Of The Countach, Rejoiced At The Concours d’Elegance

The Lamborghini Countach’s 50-year reign was honoured with its very own dedicated class at the 70th Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, California.

Automobili Lamborghini’s president and chief executive officer Stephan Winkelmann said, “The Countach redefined the high-performance car sector, and it has become an iconic representation of the style features that, still today, guide the creation of contemporary Lamborghinis. The Pebble Beach Concours is the perfect setting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this legendary car.”

Eight Countachs were presented, six were brought by international collectors and two by Automobili Lamborghini, which were the first and the last Countachs ever manufactured.

Speaking of which, the former was displayed as the oldest surviving specimen, the LP 400 with the chassis number 1120001 that was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1973.

Being the second prototype built and the first example of the LP 400 series, this is the model that initially started the red over black interiors.

After being used in model development tests and featured in various magazines, it was then repainted in its current shade of ‘Verde Medio’ and fitted with ‘Verde Chiaro’ interiors.

This was done before the Countach was showcased, during the same year, at the Paris Motor Show, the IAA in Frankfurt, and the Earls Court London Show.

Sold shortly afterwards, it ended up abandoned in a barn in Switzerland for several years before being found and purchased by Automobili Lamborghini in 2004. 

Ever since then, it has been exhibited at the Lamborghini Museum of Technologies (MUDETEC) in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

As for the latter, the last Countach manufactured represents an example of the 25th Anniversary model with chassis number KLA12085, which rolled off the production line on 4th July 1990.

Also coming from the MUDETEC, this car, in metallic silver with grey leather interiors, has never been sold and has always been the property of Automobili Lamborghini.

Apart from that, the six other Countachs owned by private collectors were entered in the Pebble Beach Concours.

E.g., two 1976 LP 400s and one from 1977, one 1981 LP 400 S, and two of the LP 5000 Quattrovalvole series, one built in 1985 and the other in 1986.

First in class went to the 1981 Countach LP 400 S with chassis number 1121316, a car that represents the 82-strong third series. 

Originally sold in the Middle East, in the unusual colour scheme of ‘Verde Metallizzato’ paired with khaki interiors, it remained unregistered until, some years later, it was sold to a Swedish enthusiast. 

Then, it was carefully restored in Italy, where it was also exhibited at the MUDETEC in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

Second place, the 1976 Countach LP 400 ‘Periscopio’ with chassis number 1120192 is one of the only 152 ‘Periscopio’ units ever produced and is still in its original condition with the yellow paint.

Getting sold in Italy in August 1976 as a new car, it was immediately exported to the USA, where it was purchased by a Chicago enthusiast.

It is rumoured that this first owner treated it as a work of art and kept it in his living room for 14 years before selling it back to the dealer from which he had purchased it.

Said dealer then exhibited it, static, for a further 14 years, however, from 2003, the car’s life changed as its next two owners got it running again, for use on special occasions. 

Third is the 1985 Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole with chassis number ZA95005AOFLA12820 in ‘Rosso Siviglia’ exterior hue with Champagne interiors and a ‘Marrone Testa di Moro’ coloured dashboard.

Rolling off the production line on May 30, 1985, this car remained for many years in Italy, with a single owner, who always had it serviced by the manufacturer. 

Finally, in 2019, it was imported into the USA by Ajiuni, and recently at Pebble Beach, it was shown fresh from careful restoration, meticulous down to the smallest details.

Moreover, uncloaked at the Pebble Beach Concours and joining the Countach bloodline is the Raging Bull’s brand-new Countach LPI 800-4.

Directly inspired by the 1971 Countach LP 500, this 12-cylinder hybrid bull is equipped with a supercapacitor and produces 814 hp.

Only 112 pieces are to be produced, and the Countach LPI 800-4 prototype has been specially created to offer a modern take on the innovations introduced by the Countach 50 years ago.

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance’s chairman Sandra Button concluded, “We are delighted to have attracted such a rich Countach class. These cars played a key role in defining the stylistic and technical concepts of modern sports cars. It is tough to believe that the Countach’s lines, which are still so cutting edge, date back 50 years.”