www.QV500.com - Lamborghini Countach Part 2: LP400
 

After experiencing problems of longevity and reliability with the 1971 prototypes five-litre engine, Lamborghini’s production Countach began rolling out of the factory in 1974 with a number of important visual and mechanical developments. Re-designated LP400, other than a subtly improved chassis, the most obvious under-body change was the arrival of a four-litre engine once again mounted longitudinally in the chassis. This well-proven motor featured a displacement of 3929cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 82 x 62mm, maximum power being quoted as a very respectable 375bhp at 8000rpm.

   
Compression was set at 10.5:1 and six sidedraught twin-choke Weber 45 DCOE 23 carburettors fitted. Performance-wise, the four-litre engine had enough punch to power the new model onto a top speed of 169mph while zero to sixty took 5.8 seconds, easily enough to lose a well-driven Ferrari GT4 Berlinetta Boxer. The LP400's bodywork got a few new details although Bertone thankfully managed to lose very little of the originals uncompromised purity. After the completion of two LP400 prototypes, the series production model was debuted with airboxes on each sail panel and prominent NACA ventilation ducts carved into each door, both of which to maximise engine cooling. There were also three-quarter windows ahead of the airboxes and a more blunted nose that included air inlets for the front brakes. Carello driving lights and revised tail light clusters completed the alterations to a machine that many critics felt would never see production. The interior meanwhile was heavily revised and featured more practical fixtures and fittings than the LP500, but it would never win awards for opulence or comfort.
 

Launched in its definitive final specification at the Geneva Salon during March 1974, this came 12 months after the first pre-production LP400 had been displayed and three years since the LP500 had caused that initial sensation. Lamborghini’s first customer LP400 was delivered to Walter Wolf who famously had it fitted with a small roof-mounted aerofoil. But by the end of 1974, Lamborghini had gone on to produce just 23 LP400's as a result of the difficult political and financial environment. After the completion of just 150 LP400's, production ceased in 1978 to make way for the even more outrageous LP400 S.