![Driving the sensational classic Lamborghini Countach Classic & Sports Car – Buyer’s guide: Lamborghini Countach](/sites/default/files/styles/article/public/2022-11/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Buyer%E2%80%99s%20guide%20Lamborghini%20Countach%20%E2%80%93%2014.png?itok=jnva6PKG)
Why you’d want a Lamborghini Countach
Styled by Gandini for Bertone, the Lamborghini Countach is a lot more than just a stunning design exercise – it is a great car.
Motor said: ‘Extremely well-engineered… Shattering performance allied to excellent handling, roadholding and brakes add up to a formidable package.’
The Countach’s V12 engine was mounted in-line, with the gearbox at the front (giving a very positive gearchange) and the differential in its own compartment at the back of the sump, just behind the engine, with a driveshaft through the (wet) sump between the two.
There’s a surprising amount of luggage room in the tail, plus small spaces in the front and also behind the seats if they’re not right back.
The ‘beetle-wing’ lift-up doors, brilliant in car parks, give reasonable access, though an ungainly ‘backside-first’ entry over the wide sills (each of which contains a 13-gallon fuel tank) can be awkward.
NACA ducts in the sides and scoops on top were added to the svelte design for production, to ensure adequate cooling.
![The classic Lamborghini badge Classic & Sports Car – Buyer’s guide: Lamborghini Countach](/sites/default/files/2022-11/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Buyer%E2%80%99s%20guide%20Lamborghini%20Countach%20%E2%80%93%2003.png)
![The famous Lamborghini Countach Classic & Sports Car – Buyer’s guide: Lamborghini Countach](/sites/default/files/2022-11/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Buyer%E2%80%99s%20guide%20Lamborghini%20Countach%20%E2%80%93%2002.png)
The central roof dip of the prototype was designed for a periscope-style rear-view mirror, but it was removed for the LP400S ‘low body’ in 1978, with the roof then raised for better headroom in 1980.