Automotive

Published on September 4th, 2024 | by Sounder Rajen

0

It Has Been 50 Years Since Production Of The First Lamborghini Countach

See the place where the incredible 50 year journey of the Lamborghini Countach began

In March 1974, Lamborghini began mass production of the Countach at its Sant’Agata Bolognese factory, marking the start of an iconic era. The Countach, a model that would become legendary, remained in production for an impressive 16 years. This vehicle was notable for being the first Lamborghini to have its bodywork crafted in-house. 

Prior to this, Lamborghini had relied on external coachbuilders for bodywork while focusing internally on mechanical components. The Countach also saw the interior work handled by Lamborghini’s own Upholstery Department, a significant shift that has since become a staple of the Sant’Agata Bolognese production tradition.

Moreover, to commemorate this milestone, Lamborghini has reintroduced the original Countach LP 400 to the production line where it was initially crafted. This historic model was photographed alongside the current Lamborghini Revuelto, symbolising the bridge between the past and present. 

The Countach’s journey began with the LP 500, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1971. Its immediate success led to the development of the LP 400, the production model. The transition to in-house bodywork production was revolutionary, shifting from a process where mechanical parts were made separately from bodywork, which was then assembled at Lamborghini.

The original Lamborghini factory, built between 1963 and 1966, initially covered 12,000 square metres and included areas for production, offices, testing, and servicing. By October 1968, the factory expanded with an additional 3,500 square metres. Today, the facility has grown to 346,000 square metres. 

On top of that, , the assembly line where the Countach was built, known as the No.1 Countach Assembly Line, remains unchanged and now serves as the site for the Revuelto, Lamborghini’s new 12-cylinder plug-in hybrid.

The continuity between the Countach and the Revuelto is evident despite a 50-year gap. Both models share a technical setup with a longitudinal 12-cylinder engine, although the Revuelto incorporates a battery pack and a rear-mounted gearbox. The Revuelto retains the Countach’s signature “Scissor” doors and stylistic elements, including the iconic “Countach line” that connects the front fender to the rear spoiler.

The Countach’s various iterations included the LP 400, LP 400 S, 5000 S, Quattrovalvole, and 25th Anniversary models, each evolving in performance and aesthetics. The model’s commercial success and cultural impact solidified Lamborghini’s reputation, making the Countach not only a car of the 1970s but a lasting icon in automotive history.

Tags: , , , ,


About the Author



Comments are closed.

Back to Top ↑