Art and designs often follow a specific theme set for each decade. To name a few, skyscrapers of the 1930s featured art deco styling. Everything was space-crazed in the '60s, while the '80s was littered with cheap clothing and flashy accessories.
The same applies to cars too. For example, the '90s favored curvey shapes, the '80s featured rectangular silhouettes, and for the 1970s, wedges. Usually though, if a car was trying so hard to typify the design language of the period, it wouldn't really age well. The Lamborghini Countach, however, is an exceptional case. With its time-transcending beauty, the price for this all-time classic is sure to skyrocket.
Let's take a closer look at the Lamborghini Countach.
The Original: LP400
The original Countach, code-named LP400, is the rarest, most expensive, and as regarded by many classic car collectors, the most beautiful variant of the flagship Lamborghini.
The LP400 definitely deserves such acclaim. Penned by Italian automotive design legend Marcello Gandini from the famed Bertone studio, this original Countach retained a nearly-unaltered styling from the LP500 design study, Gandini's futuristic masterpiece went from sketches to prototyping to production directly.
The angular components were so harmoniously held together by the curvey sideline, highlighted by the first-ever pair of scissors doors, which would go on to become a symbol of Lamborghini, the LP400 is simply a marvelous piece of art to die for.
Being the most exclusive Countach, you can only spot such unobtainium in the most prestigious auction houses. The 'Periscopio' variant with a periscope-style rear mirror will be even more valuable. One of these was sold for €775,625 (around $920,000) by RM Sotheby's in February 2021. Owning one is nearly impossible then; seeing one is also very unlikely, as only 157 were ever produced.
Related: Rod Stewart's Lamborghini Countach LP 400 “Periscopio” Fetches Nearly $1 Million At Auction
The Facelifts: LP400 S and LP500 S
Lamborghini introduced the facelifted LP400 S in 1978. Power came from the same 3.9-liter longitudinally-mounted V12 (hence the name "LP": "longitudinale posteriore," Italian for "longitudinal rear"). Curiously power output of the LP400 S was detuned from 370bhp to 350bhp.
The most noticeable modification was the exterior, with those iconically outrageous fiberglass wheel arch extensions fitted. It was said that the 345/35R15 rear tires are the widest tires ever used in a production car. In 1982, the Lp500 S (also called the 5000 S) was launched as the second facelift. This time the engine was upgraded to a more powerful 4.8-liter version.
Production figures for the LP400 S and LP500 S are 237 and 321, respectively. Although higher than the original LP 400, they are still scarce vehicles. This 1984 500 S was sold for somewhere between €300,000 and €350,000 (approximately $355,000), also by RM Sotheby's earlier this year.
The '80s Star: LP5000 QV
Besides fitting those side-skirts-mounted scopes to match the Ferrari Testarossa, Lamborghini also introduced major engine upgrades for the 1985 model. The V12 was bored and stroked to 5.2 liters and was given four valves per cylinder (quattrovalvole in Italian), hence the model name: LP5000 QV.
The carburetors were moved from the sides to the top of the engine to facilitate better cooling performances. As a result, the engine cover had to be redesigned, and a large hump was added to accommodate the newly configurated parts, reducing rear visibility from almost zero to absolutely almost zero.
In order to meet federal emission regulations, the US-bound cars were fitted with a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system, while those sold in Europe used 6 Weber carburetors instead. The American model produced 414bhp, and those across the Atlantic had a higher output of 449bhp.
610 Lp5000 QV were made. Prices for these '80s playboy-mobiles vary. One of these is now available at Hemmings for $359,992. At the same time, this example from a German dealer has an asking price of $568,783. If such a degree of extravagance is still below your expectation, you may want to go for this example formerly owned by retired Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni, in case you have $815,925 at your disposal.
Related: A Duel Of '80s Classics As Lamborghini Countach Takes On Ferrari Testarossa
The Wolf of Wall Street: 25th Anniversary Edition
The final model of the Countach was launched in 1988 as a commemoration of Lamborghini's silver jubilee. Lamborghini brought in Horacio Pagani, who would later found Pagani Automobili S.p.A., to be the person-in-charge of the 25th Anniversary Countach. The new Countach was mechanically similar to the 5000 QV, but it received a major appearance makeup.
The airboxes behind the doors were some of the parts heavily modified by Mr. Pagani, and the intake ducts were enlarged and extended, the rear sides of the intakes were also extended to a more gradual incline for aerodynamic-streamlining. The fins inside the ducts were reshaped too to enhance airflow towards the V12 engine. The 25th Anniversary Edition also featured different rear lights.
Perhaps the 25th Anniversary Countach was most noticeable as the ride of Jordan Belfort, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2013 movie, The Wolf of Wall Street. As pictured above, the white Lambo spotted a rather irritating bumper. The bulky piece emerged since the introduction of the 5000 QV.
Since the Countach didn't meet American crash standards, Lamborghini was required by federal law to fit these bulky blocs to its US-bound cars. However, many owners would remove those bumpers after purchasing the car, preventing them from ruining the Countach's sleek looks.
A total of 657 examples were produced. This pristine example with only 617 miles has a price tag of $425,000. Speaking of money and flamboyance, the producers of The Wolf of Wall Street did wreck a REAL Countach in order to film the scene of a drugged Jordan crashing the supercar.
Luckily, it seemed the damage sustained was only cosmetic and repairable. The status of the wrecked car is still unknown. But with a history of being DiCaprio's co-star in the award-winning Wall Street movie, the value of this particular Countach will shoot up to the moon.