1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopica’
Automakers often display incredible concept cars that showcase a new technology or styling direction – then water them down when they introduce the models into production. Fortunately, the Lamborghini Countach prototype, styled by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini, was not one of those cars.
Displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971, the show car coupled extremely dramatic styling – an impossibly low, wedge-shaped body, and scissor doors – with the promise of rocket-ship performance through a powerful mid-mounted V12 engine. At the 1973 Geneva Motor Show, the production version, now dubbed LP400, unveiled the numerous changes made to the chassis, body, and drivetrain to make the car more livable, reliable, and refined; however, it would remain faithful to the original concept.
Few cars are as iconic or have influenced the automotive industry as much as the Lamborghini Countach. As production continued, newer and more visually complex versions were released, but many prefer the earliest, first series Periscopica models of 1974 to 1976. They have a purity and a singularity of purpose that spawned the trend of wedge-shaped supercars that continues to this day.
This eye-catching example of the Countach in its original LP400 Periscopica form is one of less than 160 manufactured by Lamborghini between 1974 and 1977. Gooding & Company will be offering this example at their upcoming Pebble Beach auction between the 20th-21st August, the estimated value is between $1.2m – $1.5m. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. All images copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company. Photos by Mathieu Heurtault.