Vehicle Description
Developing a replacement for the ground-breaking Miura was bound to
be a challenge, even for Lamborghini's young and profoundly
talented engineering team. The Miura had caused a sensation with
its breathtakingly beautiful lines courtesy of the genius Marcello
Gandini at Bertone. It was also an engineering masterpiece, with
the world's first mid-mounted transverse engine that cleverly
incorporated the gearbox for efficient packaging. The Miura was the
world's fastest car upon debut, credited with being the father of
the modern supercar. However, the competition from Ferrari was
fierce, and in the early 1970s time came to design a suitable
replacement. Lamborghini's brilliant chassis engineer Paolo
Stanzani's first order of business was to give the new car -
codenamed "Project 112" - more predictable handling. The Miura had
storming performance, but it was also quite tricky to handle at
high speeds, the transverse layout caused rapid weight transfer
which could unstick the rear, causing many a Miura to careen off
the road tail-first. Stanzani solved this by placing the engine
longitudinally, with a forward-facing gearbox driving the rear
wheels via an encased driveshaft. The layout required a new block
and sump design for the 4.0 liter V12, but the improvements to
handling and shift quality were well worth the effort. A robust
tubular steel chassis was developed to accommodate the new running
gear, and Lamborghini again turned to Bertone to design a body
worthy of the exotic new underpinnings. As before, Gandini
delivered a stunning, futuristic design. The LP500
(Longitudinal-Posteriore, 5-liters) was the antithesis of the
curvaceous Miura. Edgy, sharp and aggressive, the wedge shape was
impossibly low, with a broad, flat windscreen, trapezoidal shapes,
and body sides punctuated with distinct slash-cut wheel arches. The
unique scissor doors were the final flourish on a truly
ground-breaking design. When one of the factory workers first saw
the prototype, he exclaimed "Countach!" - An expression of
astonishment in the local Piedmontese dialect. After extensive
development, the body was revised to allow for better cooling, and
the fragile 5-liter engine dropped in favor of the proven 4-liter
unit. Development stretched out over three years, but once the
final production LP400 Countach debuted, it lost little of its
shock value. Through multiple guises and sixteen years of
production, the Countach has long been the archetypal supercar.
While there have been faster, more extreme versions, it is the
pure, uncluttered LP400 that has captured the attention of
collectors in recent years. This breathtaking 1975 Lamborghini
LP400 Countach is the 45th car produced and one of just 150 total
early-style "Periscopio" models. According to the previous owner,
this car was completed on April 11th, 1975 and delivered new via
the distributor AGECO of Beirut, Lebanon to Prince Bandar Bin Saud
of Saudi Arabia, optioned with sports exhaust and adjustable Koni
suspension. It remained with the Royal Family for several years
before being gifted to their American personal physician, Dr. Terry
Bennett. It saw very limited use with both owners, amassing fewer
than 8,600 miles from new. At some point, it was repainted from its
original black to Amaranto, and it joined a California-based
collection. In the hands of its most recent owner, it has been
treated to a bare-metal respray and restoration. It was previously
believed that the car was originally red, however, factory records
indicate was black over a white interior. It is now presented in
striking Tahitian Blue over tan/blue interior and shows with fine
quality paintwork and excellent panel fit. Detailing is sharp, and
none of the original drama has been lost in the restoration. The
interior was subsequently restored to a very high standard, using
correct-type leather, carpets, and soft trim. Seats, console, and
sills are trimmed in beautiful tan leather which shows virtually no
use since completion. Blue Wilton carpets provide a pleasing
contrast to the hides, and the dash is covered in the correct
brownish "mouse hair" suede. Original Stewart-Warner gauges feature
in the space-age dash, with the unusual vertical odometer showing a
touch over 13,800 kilometers. This car is equipped with factory air
conditioning (a necessity in the Saudi desert), and it retains a
period correct radio, original switchgear, and even the original
Britax seatbelts. Lamborghini's legendary 4-liter V12 runs
beautifully, thanks to an engine-out rebuild by John Whittington of
Woodstock, Virginia. As part of the rebuild, the heads were sent to
Bob Wallace, Lamborghini's famed development engineer and a key
player in seeing the LP400 through to production. A bespoke run-in
stand was built so the engine could be appropriately sorted and
tuned before going back in the car where access is limited. The
Ansa sports exhaust was restored and re-fitted. Numerous receipts
for both the engine and body restoration are included. Lamborghini
made extensive use of magnesium in the chassis and drivetrain so
these early LP400s are significantly lighter than their later
siblings, giving them surprisingly deft handling. In recent years,
the Lamborghini Countach LP400 has captured the hearts of
collectors. The pure form, devoid of the spoilers and flares of
later cars, reflects the brilliance of Gandini's original concept.
We are pleased to offer this beautiful example, benefitting from
limited use and an extensive recent restoration. It has had limited
public outings, with its only show appearance coming at the
inaugural Greenbrier Concours d'Elegance in 2018. It is a
beautifully presented LP400, ready to wow onlookers in a show or to
enjoy on tours and rallies worldwide. Offers welcomed and trades
considered
