It Took 25,000 Hours To Recreate The Original Lamborghini Countach LP 500
by AutoExpert | 4 October, 2021
Lamborghini's renowned supercar, the Countach, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It served as an inspiration for the company's subsequent models. Lamborghini has been hinting about a new Countach LP 500 prototype for the past few weeks, a reproduction of the original shown at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show. Finally, Countach LP 500 is back after a five-decade hiatus.
The reborn Lamborghini Countach LP 500 uses Sian hybrid tech with vintage aesthetics, and there are just 112 of them made. But the fun hasn't ended just yet.
As early as 2017, an influential Lamborghini customer requested that Lamborghini's Polo Storico restoration department make a modern-day replica of the Countach 500 prototype.
The revived Lamborghini Countach LP 500 premiered at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. This is not a restoration of the LP 500 prototype (the prototype was utilized in crash testing and scrapped in 1973, thus it couldn't be revived). Polo Storico had to dig down original images, records, meeting reports, and designs to reconstruct the LP 500.
A mix of original spare parts and refurbished components were used to build the mechanical parts. Matching the original LP 500's size was equally difficult. Polo Storico used a 3D scan of a 1974 Countach LP 400 to accomplish this.
The distinctive wedge design of the LP 400 was then meticulously recreated over 2,000 hours. The inside was recreated using the same process. The LP 500 has been re-created in just the same Giallo Fly Speciale yellow as the initial prototype.
The crew accurately reproduced the Cinturato CN12 tires that were installed to the original LP 500 in Geneva, using pictures and information supplied by Pirelli. The tires feature the same tread pattern as the original 1971 automobile but have been modified with a modern substance and structure.
The initial prototype was driven by a 12-cylinder 4971cc engine, but no powertrain specs have been revealed for the reborn Lamborghini Countach LP 500. Although the commercial Countach had a tubular frame, the prototype had a platform frame, which has been replicated as well.
The collector paid an undisclosed sum to acquire the resurrected LP 500, according to Lamborghini. However, given that it's a one-off, we wouldn't be shocked if it cost far more than the $2.6 million contemporary Countach.
