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Photo of a Lamborghini Countach

Lamborghini Countach

The 1974 wedge that made scissor doors a production-car first.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 32 sources

Also called

  • PeriscopioLP400 nickname for the recessed roof channel planned for a periscope-style rear-view system.2
  • Low BodyEarly LP400 S nickname referring to its low roof and low front spoiler.3
  • DowndraftShorthand for European 5000 QVs with downdraft Weber carburetors.4

At a glance

0510
2.8–5.7 s0–100 km/h
0200400
241.4–355 km/hTop speed
0250500
361–500 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,275–1,590 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.5910121314

Engine
Original: 3.9/4.8/5.2 L V12; LPI 800-4: 6.5 L V12 supercapacitor hybrid611
Layout
Original: longitudinal mid-engine, RWD; LPI 800-4: AWD610
Gearbox
Original: 5-speed manual; LPI 800-4: single-clutch automated manual611
Units built
Original: 1,999 across five main variants; LPI 800-4: limited to 1121210

The story

A Miura successor engineered around Paolo Stanzani's gearbox-forward V12 and tested by Bob Wallace, the Countach takes its name from a worker's Piedmontese exclamation of amazement.56

1971: LP500 shocks Geneva19711974: LP400 brings scissor doors to production19741982: LP500 S gets a 4.8 L V1219821985: Quattrovalvole brings four-valve heads19851986: 314.1 km/h, with an airbox trick19861988: 25th Anniversary gets Pagani's facelift19881990: The original run ends in July19902021: Countach returns as the LPI 800-42021 Lamborghini Miura: 1966–1973Countach LP500 concept (LP500): 1971 debutLP500Countach LP400 (LP400): 1974–1978LP400Countach LP400 S (LP400 S): 1978–1982Countach LP500 S / 5000 S (LP500 S / 5000 S): 1982–1985Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole (5000 QV): 1985–1988Countach 25th Anniversary (25th Anniversary): 1988–1990Lamborghini Diablo: 1990 introductionLamborghini DiabloCountach LPI 800-4 (LPI 800-4): 2021 revival 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones23467910152021
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1966–1973Lamborghini Miura
1971 debutCountach LP500 concept (LP500)
1974–1978Countach LP400 (LP400)
1978–1982Countach LP400 S (LP400 S)
1982–1985Countach LP500 S / 5000 S (LP500 S / 5000 S)
1985–1988Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole (5000 QV)
1988–1990Countach 25th Anniversary (25th Anniversary)
1990 introductionLamborghini Diablo
2021 revivalCountach LPI 800-4 (LPI 800-4)
1971LP500 shocks Geneva
1974LP400 brings scissor doors to production
1982LP500 S gets a 4.8 L V12
1985Quattrovalvole brings four-valve heads
1986314.1 km/h, with an airbox trick
198825th Anniversary gets Pagani's facelift
1990The original run ends in July
2021Countach returns as the LPI 800-4
  1. 1971

    LP500 shocks Geneva

    Gandini's scissor-door LP500 debuts at Geneva; Bob Wallace's road testing destroys its experimental 5.0 L V12.678

  2. 1974

    LP400 brings scissor doors to production

    Three years of development turn the show car into the 3.9 L LP400, the first production car with scissor doors.6

  3. 1982

    LP500 S gets a 4.8 L V12

    The LP500 S, also called 5000 S, adopts a 4.8 L V12; the bigger engine brings more torque and better drivability.27

  4. 1985

    Quattrovalvole brings four-valve heads

    The 5000 QV's 5,167 cc V12 gains four valves per cylinder and European downdraft Webers; US versions use Bosch injection.4

  5. 1986

    314.1 km/h, with an airbox trick

    Pierluigi Martini's Fast Lane QV run averages 314.1 km/h over a flying kilometer; intake spacers had boosted its top-end power.8

  6. 1988

    25th Anniversary gets Pagani's facelift

    Horacio Pagani reworks the Quattrovalvole into the 25th Anniversary, adding composite body panels and electric seats and windows.19

  7. 1990

    The original run ends in July

    July brings the final 25th Anniversary; the original run spans 1974-1990 and five main versions, with 1,999 cars built.1269

  8. 2021

    Countach returns as the LPI 800-4

    Limited to 112, the revival combines a 6.5 L V12 with a Sián-style supercapacitor hybrid and AWD: 803 hp, 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, 355 km/h.61011

Every generation

  • Lamborghini Miura
    Lamborghini Miura1966–1973
  • Countach LP400
    LP4001974–1978
  • Countach LP400 S
    LP400 S1978–1982
  • Countach LP500 S / 5000 S
    LP500 S / 5000 S1982–1985
  • Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole
    5000 QV1985–1988
  • Countach 25th Anniversary
    25th Anniversary1988–1990
  • Lamborghini Diablo
    Lamborghini Diablo1990 introduction
  • Countach LPI 800-4
    LPI 800-42021 revival

Power over the years

From 375 hp to 803 hp in 47 years.

02505007501,000 19801990200020102020 hp 1974 · 375 hp · LP4001978 · 375 hp · LP400 S (initial carbureted)1981 · 353 hp · LP400 S Series 3 (export)1982 · 375 hp · 5000 S (Europe, approx.)1983 · 348 hp · 5000 S (US injected)1985 · 455 hp · 5000 QV (European carbureted)1986 · 420 hp · QV (US injected)1988 · 455 hp · 25th Anniversary (carbureted)2021 · 803 hp · LPI 800-4 (combined hybrid output) 803 hp LPI 800-4 (combined hybrid output) 375 hp LP400
124679101314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1974375LP400
1978375LP400 S (initial carbureted)
1981353LP400 S Series 3 (export)
19823755000 S (Europe, approx.)
19833485000 S (US injected)
19854555000 QV (European carbureted)
1986420QV (US injected)
198845525th Anniversary (carbureted)
2021803LPI 800-4 (combined hybrid output)

Versions

8 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    LP400 Periscopio

    1974–1978

    375 hp

  • Performance

    LP500 S / 5000 S (European)

    1982–1985

    368 hp
  • 5000 Quattrovalvole (European downdraft)

    Performance

    5000 Quattrovalvole (European downdraft)

    1985–1988

    455 hp
  • 5000 QV (U.S. fuel injection)

    Performance

    5000 QV (U.S. fuel injection)

    420 hp

  • Special

    25th Anniversary

    1988–1990

    657 built

  • Limited

    Countach LPI 800-4

    2021

    803 hp

  • Special

    LP400 Speciale

    1975–1976

    5 built

  • Special

    Countach Evoluzione

    1987

    490 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Original Countach: low, flat nose, wedge profile and a sharply cut-off tail.6
  • Original cars: NACA air ducts span the doors and rear fenders.6
  • Before the Anniversary restyle, boxy scoops sit behind the rear quarter windows.9

Year by year

  1. 1978

    The LP400 S gains wide fender flares and larger wheels to accommodate Pirelli P7 tires.7

  2. Autumn 1979

    LP400 S Series II brings concave wheels and endplates on the optional rear wing.13

  3. June 1981

    LP400 S Series III sits 30 mm higher and has a taller roof.313

  4. 1985

    European Quattrovalvoles gain a prominent engine-cover hump to clear their top-mounted Weber carburetors.2

  5. 1988 model year

    Late Quattrovalvoles add deep, slatted side skirts.17

  6. 1988

    The 25th Anniversary gains body-color intake strakes and forged OZ split-rim wheels.29

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Lamborghini Countach
    Countach
    Photo of a Pontiac Fiero-based Countach replicas
    Pontiac Fiero-based Countach replicas

    Pontiac Fiero-based Countach replicas

    Replicas often offer more headroom. An automatic shifter rules out an original Countach, which was manual only.19

Against its rivals

  • Ferrari Testarossa

    Countach vs Ferrari Testarossa

    Top speed

    Countach288 km/h
    Ferrari Testarossa298 km/h
    2223
  • Porsche 959 Sport

    Countach vs Porsche 959 Sport

    Top speed

    Countach288 km/h
    Porsche 959 Sport319 km/h
    2223

  • Countach vs Ruf Twin-Turbo

    Top speed

    Countach288 km/h
    Ruf Twin-Turbo340 km/h
    2223

Prices

Value today $525.0K–$1.3M28293031

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$1M$2M$3M 1990200020102020 Value today: $525,000–$1,325,000 1983 · $99,500 · US 5000S base1983 · $108,000 · US 5000S, as tested 2024 · $478,000 · 1989 25th Anniversary, 15,430 km, Arizona 20242025 · $525,000 · 1986 5000 QV, 41k km shown, BaT2026 · $938,000 · 1989 Euro 25th Anniversary, 379 km, BaT2026 · $2,370,000 · 1979 LP400 S Series I, 1,120 miles, RM Sotheby's2026 · $1,325,000 · 1985 QV Downdraft, restored, RM Sotheby's2026 · $797,000 · 1990 25th Anniversary, 952 miles, RM Sotheby's2026 · $626,000 · 1989 25th Anniversary, 12k km shown, BaT2026 · $750,000 · 1983 LP5000 S, 11k km shown, BaT $2.4M RM Sotheby's, 2026
4142127282932
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1983Price when new$99,500US 5000S base
1983Price when new$108,000US 5000S, as tested
2024Auction sale$478,0001989 25th Anniversary, 15,430 km, Arizona 2024
2025Auction sale$525,0001986 5000 QV, 41k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$938,0001989 Euro 25th Anniversary, 379 km, BaT
2026Auction sale$2,370,0001979 LP400 S Series I, 1,120 miles, RM Sotheby's
2026Auction sale$1,325,0001985 QV Downdraft, restored, RM Sotheby's
2026Auction sale$797,0001990 25th Anniversary, 952 miles, RM Sotheby's
2026Auction sale$626,0001989 25th Anniversary, 12k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$750,0001983 LP5000 S, 11k km shown, BaT
2026Value today$525,000–$1,325,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 8 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “A Countach carried Monaco's F1 doctor”
    • “Group B papers arrived in 1988”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 32 sources
  1. Lamborghini History - Countach | Lamborghini.com lamborghini.com
  2. Buyer's Guide to the Lamborghini Countach - Sports Car Market sportscarmarket.com
  3. How this Lamborghini Countach became Monaco’s Formula 1 Safety Car - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  4. Lamborghini Countach (Countach (LP400 to 25th Anniversary)): History, Specs and Buyer's Guide | Fully Sorted fullysorted.com
  5. Lamborghini Countach LP400 – Driving Gandini’s masterpiece - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  6. Lamborghini Countach - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. Collectible Classic: 1974-90 Lamborghini Countach - Latest News and Features - Automobile Magazine motortrend.com
  8. 5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Lamborghini Countach thedrive.com
  9. Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Guide — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  10. Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4| Lamborghini.com lamborghini.com
  11. 2022 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 vs 1990 Lamborghini Countach caranddriver.com
  12. Lamborghini Countach - Goodwood Classic Solutions insurance.goodwood.com
  13. Lamborghini Countach LP400 S Guide — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  14. Tested: 1983 Lamborghini Countach 5000S caranddriver.com
  15. Lamborghini Countach LP400 (1974-1978) review – Italy's most iconic supercar | evo evo.co.uk
  16. Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV review – the ultimate version of Lambo’s defining supercar | evo evo.co.uk
  17. Guide: Wolf x Lambo x Dallara - a Historical & Technical Appraisal of the Lamborghini Countach LP400 Speciale — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  18. Lamborghini Countach Evoluzione Guide & History | LamboCARS.com lambocars.com
  19. Watch An Effortless Way To Unmask A Fake Lamborghini Classic Car Countach - LamboCars lambocars.com
  20. Lamborghini Miura - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition by Bertone | Arizona 2024 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  22. In 1987, The World's Fastest Cars Couldn't Catch A 211-mph Twin-Turbo Ruf roadandtrack.com
  23. FIA Historic Database historicdb.fia.com
  24. 1979 Lamborghini Countach | The National Historic Vehicle Register | Hagerty Drivers Foundation driversfoundation.org
  25. Gran Turismo PSP Pre-Order Items, Lamborghini Revealed - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  26. 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition by Bertone | New York | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  27. 379-Kilometer Euro 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $938,000 on July 31, 2026 (Lot #254,747) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. 20-Years-Owned 1986 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $525,000 on May 13, 2025 (Lot #191,262) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 27-Years-Family-Owned 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $626,000 on October 13, 2026 (Lot #267,449) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV 'Downdraft' by Bertone | The Monterey Auction 2026 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  31. 1979 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S Series I by Bertone | The Monterey Auction 2026 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  32. 1983 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 S for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $700,000 on July 20, 2026 (Lot #252,930) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • lamborghini.com
  • sportscarmarket.com
  • octane-magazine.com
  • fullysorted.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • thedrive.com
  • supercarnostalgia.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • insurance.goodwood.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • lambocars.com
  • rmsothebys.com
  • roadandtrack.com

Photo credits

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