The Lamborghini Countach is the definitive wedge-shaped supercar and one of the most culturally significant cars ever built. Penned by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, its dramatic angular body, ultra-low stance and forward-hinged 'scissor' doors made it the archetype of the exotic bedroom-poster machine through the 1970s and 1980s. Launched as the LP400 in 1974 with a 3.9-litre mid-mounted V12, it evolved through the wide-body LP400S, the 4.8-litre LP500S/5000S, the four-valve 5.2-litre 5000 QV, and the Horacio Pagani-restyled 25th Anniversary edition that ended production in 1990. Roughly 1,983 were built. In the collector market the Countach is sharply bifurcated: early narrow-body LP400 'Periscopio' cars are blue-chip seven-figure assets, while later, more numerous variants remain desirable and strong but trade well below the earliest examples.
Where sources differ
Roughly 1,983 Countaches were built between 1974 and 1990, though exact tallies vary slightly by source.
Most sources cite ~1,983; some counts reach ~2,000+ depending on treatment of prototypes and earliest cars.
The LP400 'Periscopio' is the rarest road variant, with about 150 cars built (Wikipedia's 157 includes later non-periscope LP400s).
Countach Register cites 150 Periscopio; Wikipedia's LP400 total of 157 counts later non-periscope examples.
Period top-speed claims range roughly 179–186 mph by variant, but independent tests and figures are contested.
Factory/period claims vary (LP400 ~181-186 mph, 25th Anniversary ~183 mph); real-world tested speeds often differ.
How rare is it?
With about 1,983 built, the Lamborghini Countach is rarer than a DeLorean (~9k) yet more common than a F40 (~1k).
Approximate total production placed on a log scale against well-known reference cars, for scale only. Figures and any disputes are detailed in the production notes and sources.
Production by variant
How the Countachrun breaks down — and which variants are the scarce ones. Approximate figures from this model’s cited sources.
Rarest of the bunch: the LP400 'Periscopio' (1974–1978) — only about 150 built, roughly 1 in every 13 Countachs. If provenance and rarity drive your buy, this is the one to hunt.
Variants shown ≈ 57% of the ~1,983 built. Figures approximate; see Sources below.
Value theseHistory
Origins and the LP400 The Countach began as the LP500 show car unveiled at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, a radical Gandini/Bertone wedge that stunned audiences. The production LP400 arrived in 1974 with a longitudinally mid-mounted 3.9-litre V12 and a tubular spaceframe chassis. Its recessed roof channel earned the nickname 'Periscopio,' and its scissor doors became an instant signature. Only about 150 Periscopio cars were built, making them the purest and rarest road Countaches.
Wide bodies and bigger engines In 1978 the LP400S added far wider Pirelli P7 tyres, bolt-on wheel-arch flares and the now-iconic optional rear wing, trading some top speed and outright purity for aggression and grip. The 1982 LP500S (also badged 5000S) enlarged the V12 to 4.8 litres for stronger mid-range. In 1985 the 5000 Quattrovalvole introduced a 5.2-litre four-valve-per-cylinder head, making it the most powerful classic Countach; European carbureted 'Downdraft' cars are the most sought-after of this series.
The 25th Anniversary and cultural peak For 1988 Lamborghini marked its silver jubilee with the 25th Anniversary edition, restyled by a young Horacio Pagani with reworked aerodynamics, revised ducts, sills and bumpers. Mechanically the most sorted Countach, it is also the most stylistically divisive among purists. Production ended in 1990 after roughly 1,983 cars, succeeded by the Diablo. Throughout the 1980s the Countach transcended cars to become a pop-culture icon — the ultimate bedroom-poster supercar and shorthand for excess and speed.
Legacy The Countach established the visual language of the modern supercar: extreme wedge geometry, scissor doors and theatrical presence over practicality. It remains one of Lamborghini's most influential designs and a cornerstone of any serious collection.
Common Problems
Countaches are demanding classics: heavy unassisted steering and clutch, poor rearward visibility, and cabin heat are inherent traits. The V12 and transmission are robust but expensive to service; carbureted setups (six Weber carbs on many variants) need expert tuning. Watch for tubular-frame corrosion, deteriorated wiring, cooling-system weaknesses, and costly-to-source trim and body panels. Deferred maintenance and non-specialist work are the biggest financial risks.
What to Look For
Provenance and matching-numbers documentation are critical, especially for LP400 Periscopio cars where value hinges on originality. Verify chassis/engine numbers against registries (e.g. Countach Register). Confirm variant authenticity — periscope roof and narrow body on LP400s, correct carbureted vs fuel-injected engine on 5000 QV (Euro cars command more). Check for quality of any restoration, correct trim and factory-correct wing fitment. US-market cars may carry federalized bumpers/emissions gear that some buyers reverse.
Market Notes
As of mid-2024 (Hagerty), the LP400 leads the range at roughly $1.35M in #2 (Excellent) condition, with Euro-spec 5000 QV 'Downdraft' cars second at around $685,000-$755,000. Classic.com market benchmarks in the 2024-2025 window place LP400 around ~$890k, LP400S ~$670k, LP500S/5000S ~$637k, 5000 QV ~$650k and 25th Anniversary ~$557k, illustrating the steep premium for early cars. Five-year gains to 2024 (Hagerty) ran roughly +40% LP400, +37% LP500S, +30% QV Downdraft, +24% LP400S. Values are volatile: LP400s spiked past $1.2M in 2014, corrected around 2018, then resumed modest gains.
Sources
- Lamborghini Countach — Wikipedia · reference-book
- The Lamborghini Countach Is Strong Like a Bull, and Likely to Stay That Way — Hagerty · journalism
- LP400 — Countach Register — Countach Register · registry
- Lamborghini Countach: Review, Price, Specs and Models — LamboCars · club-forum
- Lamborghini Countach Market — Classic.com · journalism
Synthesized from the sources above and cross-checked. We cite and link out; we don’t republish other databases verbatim. Spotted an error? chris@fullysorted.com.
Key Specs
| doors | Signature 'scissor' doors, hinged forward and up |
| layout | Longitudinal mid-engine, rear-wheel drive (LP = Longitudinale Posteriore) |
| QV_power | ~455 PS (Euro carbureted) from 5.2L 4-valve V12 |
| designer | Marcello Gandini, Bertone (25th Anniversary restyle by Horacio Pagani) |
| LP400_power | ~370-375 PS from 3.9L 2-valve V12 |
| transmission | 5-speed manual |
| topSpeed_claim | Factory/period claims ~179-186 mph depending on variant; independent tests often lower and figures are contested |
Notable Variants
LP400 'Periscopio' (1974–1978)
Purest, lightest and most valuable Countach; recessed roof channel ('periscopio/periscopica') for rear vision, narrow body, ~150 built.
LP400S (1978–1982)
Wider Pirelli P7 tires, riveted wheel-arch extensions, revised suspension; introduced the optional (and now iconic) rear wing that slightly reduced top speed.
LP500S / 5000S (1982–1985)
Enlarged 4.8L V12 for more low-end torque; ~321-323 built.
5000 QV Quattrovalvole (1985–1988)
5.2L four-valve-per-cylinder V12, the most powerful classic Countach; Euro carbureted 'Downdraft' cars are especially prized.
25th Anniversary (1988–1990)
Horacio Pagani-led aero restyle (revised ducts, sills, bumpers, air intakes); highest-volume and most refined but most divisive styling; ~657 built.
Value Trajectory
Long-term appreciation with meaningful volatility. Early LP400 'Periscopio' cars are established blue-chip assets in the seven-figure range and have led gains; later, higher-volume variants (LP500S, 5000 QV, 25th Anniversary) are strong and rising but trade well below the earliest cars. Analysts (Hagerty) expect continued upward pressure, aided by younger Gen-X collectors drawn to the very earliest examples.
Shopping for one?
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