Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototipo – The Legend Reborn
For this year at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Lamborghini prepared a special surprise. Announced and hinted through their social channels, Polo Storico presented a long gone car, one that started the history of one of the most desired and dreamed about hypercars – the prototype of a Lamborghini Countach. What a gift for its 50th anniversary!
CRASHED DECADES AGO – LOOKING BRAND NEW
The very original was presented at the Geneva International Motor Show on the 11th of March 1971 and struck the public with smooth, wedge-shaped body wearing a special kind of yellow – Giallo Fly Speciale. It was a tour de force by Automobili Lamborghini that year, who also brought forward a Miura SV. The receipt of the Countach was outstanding. Everyone who could afford it wanted the car and Lamborghini needed to hurry to convert the prototype into a production car swiftly, to satisfy demand.
Of course, the prototype was much different to the later production car, introduced in 1974 to the market. It had a platform rather than a tubular space frame and was powered by a one-off five litre engine. Paired with maestro Gandini from Bertone was responsible for engineering Paolo Stanzani. It must have been painful to see their very first vehicle crashed in a test, to fulfil the requirements.
The reproduction of the prototype took Polo Storico more than 20’000 hours. Time well spent!
Whilst turning around the production car was a paced task, the reproduction of the prototype took its time. Lamborghini Polo Storico spent more than 20’000 hours to carefully study photographic documentation and carefully re-build the body to match the original. Similarly, the five-litre V12 opened at a 60 degree angle was meticulously re-crafted. Powered in the same way as the original it proudly shows its six, double-choked Weber 45 DCOE carburettors. Hands down, this engine is the most beautiful I have ever seen.
DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS – AND THEY ARE PERFECT
The car is a sculpture and photos thereof do not really depict the meticulously handcrafted details of both the bodywork and the interior. Marcello Gandini truly showed his genius when drafting and sculpting the car, similarly to Polo Storico’s task executed at the order of a Swiss collector - Albert Spiess.
From the very front everything is just perfect. It starts with a shark nose featuring a Countach emblem, continues through front wheel arches hiding period-correct Pirelli CN12 tires, then the scissor doors, aggressively shaped air intakes all the way through the classic Bertone rear wheel arches and red rear light lenses. Consistency and beauty in one.
The interior is not any different. Finished in black it features rectangular-ish patterns all throughout the cabin. The pilot is steering this space ship through a steering wheel held in place through a single beam, providing a clear view onto a widespread speedo- and tachometer. Dials are very futuristic, with several more indicators embedded behind a shield in front of the passenger. Both travellers are cushioned by blobby seats, so characteristic in the later production version of the Countach.
ONE-OFF EXTRAORDINAIRE
There was only one prototipo in the past and there can only be one now. It is as exclusive as it can get in the World of classic cars. With all its perfection, immaculacy an unmatched restoration quality it may paradoxically be something we all missed at the car shows of this World. There are always unique models and pristinely kept vehicles displayed, no doubt about it.
All that said, resurrecting history from ground zero is a different kind of game.
Historical Photos: Lamborghini Media Center, 11th March 2021
Text & Photos: Adam Pekala ©
