The End of An Era

Photos and text courtesy of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

This year, Lamborghini is celebrating its V12. For nearly 60 years, the legendary 12-cylinder engine has equipped the most iconic models of the House of Sant'Agata Bolognese—the Countach and the LM 002. However, in its final evolution as a "pure" internal combustion engine, the V12 will go out of production when the last Aventador Ultimae rolls off the production line in late 2022.

The Countach, unveiled in 1971 and produced from 1973 to 1990 in 1999 + 1 units, is one of the most iconic cars in automotive history. Taking the performance and driving pleasure of grand tourers off-road, the LM 002 went down in history as the first mass-produced ultra-high-performance off-road vehicle, with 300 units produced between 1986 and 1993.

Even before its official unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1971, the LP 500 had astonished the world with its extreme, futuristic appearance. In fact, the exclamation in Piedmontese dialect "Countach," used to underscore the extraordinary nature something witnessed, was added to the car's name just a few days before its official presentation, after a Carrozzeria Bertone technician had seen it under production and couldn't contain his surprise.

Introduced as an "idea car" to see whether the public would be interested in such an extreme car, it was equipped with the 60° V12 engine that had already performed so well on previous transverse rear mid-engine Lamborghinis. This time, however, the engine was mounted in the rear-longitudinal position, a new technical solution at Lamborghini. LP 500 was so successful that, even before the end of the Geneva show, Ferruccio Lamborghini had decided to put it into production. Nevertheless, the LP 500 remained a one-off, modified several times during the grueling road tests conducted by test driver Bob Wallace over the next three years, and destroyed in the crash tests required for homologation on March 21, 1974.

From the indications provided by the LP 500, the LP 400, delivering 375 hp at 8000 rpm was born, going into production in late 1973, equipped with the traditional 4-liter engine. Due to the notch in the roof used to improve visibility through the interior rearview mirror, it is now known by the nickname "Periscope ." In 1978, after 152 units had been produced, the Countach LP 400 was transformed into the LP 400 S, acquiring the more elaborate shape that characterized it for the next twelve years. The "S," was modified at the frame and chassis level to make the period's technical novelty—the super low-profile Pirelli P7 tires—perform better, but also at the aesthetic level. To accommodate the new enlarged brakes and wider tires, it became necessary to adopt wheel arch extenders, while the increased performance dictated the use of a more aerodynamic front spoiler. In addition, certain enthusiasts added a rear wing to complete the aerodynamic package.

After a 1979 LP 400 S made it to the big screen in 1981 as a leading character in the movie The Cannonball Run, the Countach appeared in the bedrooms of teenagers around the world, hanging on the walls as the favorite poster of an entire generation.

In 1982, after production of 235 units, the 400 S was replaced by the LP 5000 S, still equipped with the legendary V12 but now increased to a capacity of 4.8 liters (4754 cc) for 375 hp at 7000 rpm. Following production of 323 units through 1984, it was replaced by the Quattrovalvole, considered by many to be the best combination of aesthetics, performance, reliability, and comfort.

The V12, in addition to the adoption of the four valves per cylinder, was modified to increase the displacement to 5.1 liters (5167 cc) for a maximum power output of 455 hp at 7000 rpm. The Quattrovalvole version was the first to be officially homologated for and imported to the United States, where, however, its carburetors were replaced by electronic fuel injection.

The opening of the US market allowed new sales volumes, and the Quattrovalvole was produced in 631 units up to 1988, when it was replaced by the Countach 25 Anniversario, so named to celebrate the 25 years since the founding of Automobili Lamborghini. The 25 Anniversario adopted improved aerodynamics, some body panels made of composite material, and a more luxurious interior while retaining the mechanics of the Quattrovalvole. Incredibly, demonstrating the excellence of the Countach design, still innovative after 17 years of production, the 25 Anniversario was the series with the highest production numbers at 658 units. The last Countach, Grigio Metallizzato (metallic gray) with gray interior, rolled off the assembly line on July 4, 1990, and went straight to the MUDETC, the company museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese.

If you're wondering why 1999 + 1 units were produced, the reason is simple. The first LP 500, physically made by Bertone, did not have a Lamborghini chassis number but a Bertone one. Therefore, the first Countach is the LP 400 chassis number 1120001 produced in 1973, initially red and then repainted green, with several aesthetic differences from the cars that would follow.

During the "Countach years," the company management sensed that there might be a market for a high-performance off-road vehicle with luxury finishes. The LM 002 used the mechanics of the Countach engine in the 5.2-liter version with power reduced by 20 hp to use less refined fuel without running into problems, turned 180°, and shifted to the longitudinal front position. A four-wheel drive transmission was added, complete with a central differential and low gears. Like on the Countach, what remained was the tubular chassis, never before seen on an off-road vehicle, usually used exclusively on racing cars or the most sophisticated sports cars.

Thus was born an extraordinary car capable of cruising on the highway at sports sedan averages and tackling extremely demanding off-road routes. The LM 002 was the vehicle that created the market for sports SUVs and the progenitor, at least spiritually, of today's Lamborghini URUS. It was produced in roughly equivalent numbers with carburetor fueling first and fuel injection later, easily recognizable from each other by the "hump" on the hood, which was much more pronounced on the carburetor models.

One example of LM 002 was equipped with the 7.2-liter 700 hp V12 engine usually used on off-shore boats, while another was prepared under the guidance of technical advisor Sandro Munari, a former World Rally champion, to compete in endurance races in the desert. There are so many anecdotes associated with the LM 002, including its ability to pull a Leopard tank or, equipped with a tow hook, a trailer with a lucky collector's Miura onboard.

The LM 002 was commonly nicknamed the "Rambo Lambo" for its muscular appearance and because one of them, at the time, was owned by actor Sylvester Stallone. However, an Italian journalist gave the best definition of the LM 002, writing after a test drive: "At 200 km/h, the LM 002 doesn't slice through the air. It smacks it with pride."