THE FIRST LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH ARRIVED 50 YEARS AGO - FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY.
March 1974 marked the beginning of a new era for Lamborghini, with the start of mass production for the legendary Countach at the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory. Over the next 16 years, the Countach solidified its place as an icon. This was the first Lamborghini with bodywork entirely handcrafted in-house and interiors crafted by Lamborghini’s own Upholstery Department, sparking a revolution that has since become a long-standing tradition. To honour this milestone, Lamborghini has brought the very first Countach LP 400 back to the production line where it was originally assembled. Today, that same line is where the Lamborghini Revuelto is produced, bringing together the past and present in a stunning photoshoot. In addition, Lamborghini has released exclusive images from its archive, celebrating the legacy of the Countach. The journey began on March 11, 1971, when the Countach LP 500 made its debut as a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. The reaction was overwhelming, leading to the decision to transform it into a production model. After three years of developing prototypes and rigorous road testing, the production-ready Countach LP 400 hit the streets. During this time, Lamborghini was also revolutionizing its production process by creating an in-house line for building the Countach's body. Previously, Lamborghini relied on external coachbuilders to produce body panels, but with the Countach, the entire car was now crafted under one roof. This move accelerated the company’s growth and set a new standard for Lamborghini’s future operations. Back in 1966, Lamborghini’s original factory spanned 12,000 square meters, housing not just production lines, but also testing rooms, offices, and a service workshop. The Countach assembly line was a small-scale operation, with every part meticulously hand-beaten, assembled, and adjusted to fit perfectly.
Fast forward to today, the factory has expanded to cover 346,000 square meters, but the iconic No.1 Countach Assembly Line remains, now building the Revuelto, Lamborghini’s 12-cylinder plug-in hybrid. “We are proud to still be producing our super sports car models in the place where the Countach was created,” commented Ranieri Niccoli, Lamborghini’s Chief Manufacturing Officer. “Production has radically changed since then and there was a marked transformation of many aspects starting with the production of the Countach right through to today's models. Today our production is very different from 1974, but it retains the best aspects and brings together the manual skills of our operators and the best available technologies, giving rise to the so-called Manifattura Lamborghini Next Level. The common denominator between the production of the Countach and our cars today is attention to detail.” While modern production is much more advanced and precise, the passion and craftsmanship that defined the Countach era remain very much alive. The Countach LP 400 (1974-1978) was the first of its kind, with only 152 units built. Its unique fenders and a roof recess earned it the nickname “Periscopio.” Following it was the LP 400 S (1978-1982), a version commissioned by Canadian enthusiast Walter Wolf, which featured Pirelli low-profile tyres, wider fender flares, and “phone dial” wheels. The LP 5000 S (1982-1984) arrived with a larger 4.8-litre V12 engine, and 323 units were produced. The Countach Quattrovalvole (1985-1988) took things up a notch, housing a 5.2-litre engine with a four-valve-per-cylinder system, giving it the distinctive “hump” on the hood. The final version, the 25th Anniversary Countach (1988-1990), came with an aerodynamic overhaul, incorporating carbon fibre panels and celebrating Lamborghini’s 25-year legacy. With 658 units produced, it was also the most successful version, thanks in part to the type approval for the American market. Over its 16-year production run, the Countach saw 1999 units built. The following Lamborghini models; Diablo, Murciélago, and Aventador, would each surpass its production numbers, but the Countach’s influence remained undeniable. Its signature “scissor” doors and the iconic “Countach line” running from the front fender to the rear spoiler can still be seen in today’s designs. From posters on bedroom walls to starring roles in countless films, the Countach wasn’t just a car—it was a cultural phenomenon. It carried Lamborghini from the mid-1970s to 1990, and to this day, it remains one of the most recognized and revered supercars in history.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off an original Lamborghini Countach in the latest setting where the new-generation Countach started production in 2022. This iconic nameplate has now technically been in production for 50 years - sorta: Celebrating 50 Years of Lamborghini Countach production in Sant'Agata | Lamborghini
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