DuelsLeaderboardGarageBlogCarsGlossaryBrowse

Lamborghini Countach

Exotic · Lamborghini

Lamborghini Countach: The wedge-shaped icon (1974-1990). Marcello Gandini design. Naturally aspirated V12. One of the most influenti
Photo: Brian Snelson from Hockley, Essex, England / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

The wedge-shaped icon (1974-1990). Marcello Gandini design. Naturally aspirated V12. One of the most influential supercar shapes ever produced.

The Lamborghini Countach is a mid-engine supercar produced from 1974 to 1990. The Countach replaced the Miura with a dramatically different design: wedge-shaped, with sharp angles and aggressive aerodynamic surfaces. The Countach designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone is one of the most influential supercar designs of any era. Multiple Countach generations: LP400 (1974-1978, the original wedge), LP400S (1978-1982), LP500S (1982-1985), LP5000 QV (1985-1988, with 5.2 V12), and LP5000 QV Anniversary Edition (1988-1990). The Anniversary Edition is widely considered the most refined. The Countach influenced supercar design for an entire generation. The wedge shape, the dramatic aerodynamic surfaces, and the aggressive styling have appeared in subsequent supercars from many manufacturers. The Countach has been celebrated continuously since launch. On WhipJury, Countach submissions are extremely rare but reliably top voting when they appear.

Countach variants

LP400 (1974-1978). Original wedge. 4.0 V12.

LP400S (1978-1982). Wider tires, refinements.

LP500S (1982-1985). 4.7 V12.

LP5000 QV (1985-1988). 5.2 V12, four-valve heads.

Anniversary Edition (1988-1990). Refined Anniversary tribute.

Frequently asked questions about Lamborghini Countach

Why is the Countach so iconic?
Marcello Gandini design that defined supercar styling for generations. Dramatic wedge shape with sharp angles. Aggressive aerodynamic surfaces. Naturally aspirated V12 character. Cultural impact through inclusion in films, music videos, and posters of the era. The Countach defined the supercar aesthetic for the late 1970s and 1980s.
How much does a Countach cost?
Used pricing: $400,000-$1.5 million+ depending on generation and condition. Anniversary Edition examples are at the higher end. Limited production variants and unique provenance command significant premiums.
Are Countaches reliable?
Generally yes when maintained by Lamborghini specialists. Common issues are typical for cars now 35-50+ years old: occasional electrical concerns, transmission service intervals, and age-related items. Specialty Lamborghini classic mechanics globally support continued ownership.
Did Lamborghini make a Countach in 2022?
Yes, the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 (2022, also called Countach 50th Anniversary) was a limited 112-car production tribute to the original Countach. Used Aventador chassis with Countach-influenced bodywork. Critical reception was mixed; the modern Countach was viewed by some as a marketing exercise.
Was the Countach mid-engine?
Yes. The Countach used longitudinal mid-engine V12 layout. The engine sat behind the driver, in front of the rear axle. The mid-engine layout was inherited from the Miura and continued through subsequent Lamborghini V12 supercars (Diablo, Murcielago, Aventador).

More on the Lamborghini Countach

The 2017 Tesla Roadster concept still looks better than the "low polygon" one Tesla plans to build
The 2017 Tesla Roadster concept still looks better than the "low polygon" one Tesla plans to build

We think the curvy 2017 Tesla Roadster concept beats the faceted wedge Tesla revealed on October 15, 2026. Critics at Hagerty and The Autopian see Lamborghini in the new shape, and the concept also had the better roof, lights, and staying power.

Why Did Pop-Up Headlights Disappear?
Why Did Pop-Up Headlights Disappear?

Pop-up headlights disappeared because European pedestrian-safety regulations made protruding front-end hardware effectively impossible to certify, and because fixed headlight technology got good enough that the mechanical complexity stopped earning its keep. The last two production cars to carry them ended production in 2004.

What Makes a Car Iconic vs Just Expensive
What Makes a Car Iconic vs Just Expensive

There are expensive cars everywhere. Most of them will be forgotten. The Porsche 911 will not be forgotten. Neither will the Ferrari Testarossa, the original Land Rover Defender, the Volkswagen Golf GTI, or the first-generation Mazda Miata. None of those last two cost anywhere near what most people think of as an iconic car's price. Expense has almost nothing to do with it...

Other Lamborghini models

AventadorCentenarioDiabloEspadaGallardoHuracanIsleroJalpaLM002MiuraMurcielagoReventon
More Lamborghini models