One of the greatest automotive cult films of all time is undoubtedly The Cannonball Run. To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Countach LP 400 S that starred in the film, Lamborghini reunited the car with its co-stars, actresses Adrienne Barbeau and Tara Buckman, for the first time since the film's release in June 1981.

The Countach was produced forty-five years ago in November 1979. Boasting a Nero exterior and Senape interior, the car was delivered to the SEA dealership in Rome. From there, it was likely sold directly to the US, eventually making its way to Florida. Its owner, a friend of the film’s director, was enlisted to help launch its legendary status, securing its place in film history.

For the film, the car was fitted with a wing and two spotlights on the nose, a spoiler, three antennas, and 12 exhaust pipes at the back, along with two supplementary fake instruments in front of the passenger seat. After filming ended, the Countach was returned to its rightful owner but retained its unique customisations specially made for it.

The Cannonball Run was inspired by the actual Cannonball race, in which the participating cars had to cross the United States, starting from New York and finishing in Los Angeles, in the shortest possible time. To say the least, the film’s cast was outstanding, featuring actors such as Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Jackie Chan, along with actresses such as Farrah Fawcett, Adrienne Barbeau, and Tara Buckman. The latter two played the race’s only all-female crew and drove the Countach, which won the race.

Among the most memorable scenes is the initial three-minute police chase, where the Countach’s 12-cylinder engine was added to the soundtrack. Also, during the film’s opening is a scene in which the Countach stops abruptly and the passenger gets out of the cockpit to spray-paint an ‘X’ on a road sign. These scenes became legendary references among car lovers, so much so that the Countach would become one of the very few cars registered at the Library of Congress.

Any artefact can be registered to ensure that all related knowledge remains available and protected for future generations in one of the United States' most respected institutions, the Library of Congress. However, it must first be recognised as an object of extraordinary importance to American history, society, and tradition. Once this recognition is obtained, all knowledge linked to that specific car – from the construction design to photos, from the original documents to those detailing its history – is preserved and archived in the halls of the Library of Congress.

The Countach LP 400 S from the film was deemed worthy of this honour and became the 30th car to receive it in 2021, the year when the film’s 40th anniversary was celebrated. This recognition cements the Countach's place in automotive history and ensures its legendary status for generations to come.

The Cannonball Countach