Miguel Sánchez
Although it may seem striking at first, the truth is that the history of Lamborghini Countach spanned almost two decades. To begin with, the presentation of the first prototype - later used and destroyed in the impact tests– arrived at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1971.
After this, we had to wait three years until the arrival of the LP400; the first series on the market, which at that time already had the imposing V12 of 3.929 cc and 375 hp mounted in a central-rear position. The commercial birth of a legend against which Ferrari reacted by unveiling the lines of its 1976 BB berlinetta in 512.
A movement that started a competitive escalation in which those from Maranello presented new models at the same time as those from Sant'Agata Bolognese They preferred to upgrade the Countach due to the constant financial difficulties that the factory was experiencing.
Thus, in 1978 the LP400S arrived at dealerships with hardly any mechanical changes - the only thing that stood out was the addition of some new carburettors– leaving all the limelight to the impressive Campagnolo Bravo wheels fitted with Pirelli P7s, which for many years were the widest tyres ever fitted to a production car.
FROM TESTAROSSA TO LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH LP5000 QV
Since the update embodied in the LP400 had not touched the performance - moreover, elements such as the new and showy spoiler - they had no other purpose than to increase the visual spectacularity -, in 1982 a new generation of the Countach finally appeared -LP500S- where everything related to the engine was seriously retouched.
Furthermore, its displacement was increased from the original 3.9 liters to 4.7. Compression was also increased while the Camshafts and new Weber carburettors were fitted. All this with a view to improving performance after the increase in weight seen since 1978, while also achieving a much smoother and more linear power delivery.
However, in 1984 Ferrari returned to the fray with the presentation of one of its most iconic models: the Testarossa. Equipped with a V12 open to 180º It already had 390 hp in non-catalyzed European units; some 15 hp more than the contemporary Countach, although, to tell the truth, the "cavallino" was more than 130 kilos heavier than the renewed Lamborghini.
In any case, the commercial impact of the Ferrari was undeniable, urging a severe update of the veteran model launched in 1974 in the form of the 5000 LP1985 QV. A model born in a more positive context than the previous series, with the company's finances somewhat more relaxed and the very same Julius Alfieri leading the engineering team.
LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH LP5000 QV, FOUR VALVES PER CYLINDER
Giulio Alfieri's vision was to strike a forceful blow on the table in front of the Testarossa placing the Countach at the top of its segment in terms of performance. Now, how to do this without incorporating a completely new engine or pushing the current one to the limits of its reliability.
In this sense, the first possibility would have been to supercharge it with a turbocharger. However, this option had already been considered unsuccessfully during the development of the LP500S, preferring to improve the feeding while the displacement was increased.
At this point, Lamborghini engineers increased the engine displacement for the second time to reach 5.167 cc, also adding four valves per cylinder - hence the name Quattrovalvole, QV - thus achieving 455 CV. Without a doubt, more than enough to achieve the desired effect, leaving Ferrari far behind, once again basing the formula on aggressive and forceful driving not suitable for everyone.
Moreover, today the 610 units of the Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV They are considered the most canonical, the most rounded and perfected of all those related to the multiple series of the model. A true “capolavoro”.
Images: RM Sotheby's
