Lamborghini surprised the whole when it announced the new V-12 hybrid-powered Countach commemorative model. While many were thrilled by the new supercar, there are some who believe that the new Countach might just be a PR stunt from Lamborghini for a number of reasons. Nevertheless, the name Countach resounded again around the world 50 years since it was born. But that name has odd origins, as it deviated from how Lamborghini usually names its cars.
Countach Is Actually An Expression Of Amazement
In a recorded chit-chat between Marcello Gandini and Mitja Borkert, the designers of the original and new Countach models respectively, the history of the name was shared. According to Gandini, the Countach got its name from an exclamation of wonder and astonishment in Piedmontese dialect.
Gandini recalled that a worker who spoke almost only the dialect often express "Countach" when admiring or amazed. Thus, when it was time to decide the name, they chose "Countach."
This was one of the many instances that the Italian didn't adhere to its long-standing tradition of naming its cars after Spanish fighting bulls and matters related to bullfighting. For instance, numbered models such the 350 GT, 400 GT and LM002 have no links to bulls or bullfighting. The Lamborghini Silhouette was not also named after any fighting bull or breed.
A Bull-Related Naming Tradition At Lamborghini
This naming tradition stems back to company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini. Ferruccio developed a deep fascination with Spanish fighting bulls, thanks to his eventual visit to the ranch of Don Eduardo Miura in Seville, Spain. Yes, he named the legendary Miura after the famed bull breeder and his breed of fighting bulls.
That naming sense continued with the Lamborghini Islero, which was named after a Miura bull that killed bullfighter Manolete in 1947. The Espada is a Spanish term that means "sword," and is used to refer to a bullfighter. The Jarama, meanwhile, is a historic Spanish region known for bullfighting. The Urraco and Jalpa are famous bull breeds. The Diablo, Murcielago, Reventon, Aventador, and Huracan were famous fighting bulls, while the Gallardo is one of the five Spanish bull breed castes.
Countach As The Design Father Of Lamborghinis
In the video uploaded by Lamborghini on YouTube, Gandini and Borkert (also serving as the carmaker's Head of Design) had an exchange of designing ideas, talking about Lamborghini’s Design DNA up to the new Countach. As for the 50-year old Countach, it's the greatest Lamborghini that influenced the design of all other raging bulls. Essentially, the Countach is what made a Lamborghini easily recognizable as a Lamborghini.
Source: Lamborghini