•   Year: 1973
•   Top speed: 195.7 MPH
•   Displacement: 3,929 cc
•   Maximum power: 375 HP at 8,000 RPM
•   Distribution: double overhead camshaft, chain drive, 2 values per cylinder
•   Fuel feed: double Bendix electric pump, 6 Weber 45 DCOE carburetors
•   Ignition: 2 coils, 1 distributor

•   Weight: 2,347 lbs
  

•   Year: 1978
•   Top speed: 177 MPH
•   Displacement: 3,929 cc
•   Maximum power: 353 HP at 7,500 RPM
•   Distribution: double overhead camshaft, chain drive, 2 values per cylinder
•   Fuel feed: double Bendix electric pump, 6 Weber 45 DCOE carburetors
•   Ignition: 2 coils, 1 distributor
•   Weight: 2,645 lbs
  

•   Year: 1982
•   Top speed: 186.4 MPH
•   Displacement: 4,754 cc
•   Maximum power: 375 HP at 7,000 RPM
•   Distribution: double overhead camshaft, chain drive, 2 values per cylinder
•   Fuel feed: double Bendix electric pump, 6 Weber 45 DCOE carburetors
•   Ignition: electronic with distributor
•   Weight: 3,284 lbs
  

•   Year: 1988
•   Top speed: 192.6 MPH
•   Displacement: 5,167 cc
•   Maximum power: 455 HP at 7,000 RPM
•   Distribution: 4 overhead camshafts, chain drive, 4 values per cylinder
•   Fuel feed: 6 Weber 44 DCNF vertical two barrel carburetors
•   Ignition: electric ignition with Marelli magneto distributor
•   Weight: 3,703 lbs
  

•   Year: 1985
•   Top speed: 184.5 MPH
•   Displacement: 5,167 cc
•   Maximum power: 455 HP at 7,000 RPM
•   Distribution: double overhead camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder
•   Fuel feed: double Bendix electric pump, 6 Weber 44 DCNF carburetors
•   Ignition: electric with distributor
•   Weight: 3,284 lbs

    The Countach project was started in 1969 to design a new high end car that would replace the Miura in the Lamborghini product line.  The Miura was still one of the most surprising cars in the world, but people were becoming accustomed to it and Lamborghini needed something new to astonish the public.  The project was started with a precise goal in mind; to design something even more extreme than the Miura. 
    Master coach builder Carrozzeria Nuccio Bertone was responsible for the design of the body of the new Lamborghini.  Bertone worked closely with Paolo Stanzani, the assistant to Lamborghini’s first chief engineer, because part of the frame of the car would also act as a support to the panels of the body.  A similar system had been patented some years earlier by the Touring Body Works.  The only difference was that in the new Lamborghini the body panels would become an integral part of the structure of the car.  The body was shaped so that the car was reduced to one single curve.  Every element from the hood to the tail was designed to form an extremely pure look.  All the air intakes, lights and handles were reduced to a minimum to highlight the extremely aggressive look.  Such an uncommon car could not have doors that would open like the doors of any other car.  Bertone decided to design a new system that would let the doors open vertically. 
    To exceed the performance level reached by the Miura was not an easy task.  Paolo Stanzani came up with the idea of bringing the car’s center of gravity as close as possible to the driver’s position.  To do this, the same 5 litre V 12 engine was used.  The gearbox had to be moved to the front of the car, while the differential would stay in the rear.  After this key structural element had been figured out the frame could be designed.  Stanzani decided to use a tubular design even though it was much more complex than the chassis used in the Miura, the new structure could offer a much higher level of stability. 
    The Countach was known as Project LP112.  The name Countach came from a slang word used in Turin to indicate something impressive.  This word was mentioned by Bertone in the presence of Ferruccio Lamborghini when he saw the prototype for the very first time.  Ferruccio decided that this word had the right sound for the new car.  The first Countach prototype was presented to the public during the 1971 Geneva Motor Show.  According to Ferruccio’s plans, the Countach was just a test whose purpose was to see how the public would react to such an extreme car.  The Countach was an incredible success at the show.  As a matter of fact, many people wanted to order the car even though they were told it was just a prototype.  As soon as the Countach came back from Geneva, an intensive research program was begun in order to start the actual volume production. 
    The initial plans limited the production of the Countach to a small number of units reserved for the enthusiasts who wanted to buy the ultimate vehicle.  The public reacted so well to the introduction of the Countach that Ferruccio decided to stop the production of the Miura SV in 1973 thinking that the customers would want to buy only the Countach from now on.  Many problems had to be solved before volume production of the Countach could be started.  The engine with its gearbox toward the front of the car required a very extensive design change.  Some engine cooling problems were detected at very low speeds, so air intakes had to be redesigned.  The futuristic periscope shaped rear view mirror designed by Bertone was replaced by a more traditional central mirror.  The first production Countach was delivered on April 21st, 1974.