The Lamborghini Countach is having a moment. Long regarded as one of the most significant supercars ever built, the Countach is receiving even more attention of late due to 2021 marking 50 years since the first Countach prototype made its debut. Lamborghini themselves have heavily contributed to this resurgent interest by releasing a modern version of the car and by recreating the original prototype, but our favorite Countach variant remains the first production model, the LP400 “Perioscopio.” And an absolutely stunning example is heading to auction next month.
In their upcoming Guikas Collection auction, RM Sotheby’s will be auctioning off a 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 “Periscopio.” The model debuted in 1974 as the evolved production version of the Marcello Gandini-designed LP500 prototype. The car largely maintained the prototype’s revolutionary wedge design but became more functional and aggressive-looking by adding the now iconic side NACA ducts and oversized rear intake scoops. It also kept the unique periscope rearview mirror system, hence the “Periscopio” moniker. Lamborghini only built around 150 LP400 Countaches, with the LP400S taking its place in 1978. That car ditched the periscope and added exterior excesses like massive wheel arches and the airplane-like rear wing, and while we enjoy Countach extravagances as much as the next guy, there’s just something so pure and beautiful about the less-accessorized LP400. The example for sale is finished in stunning black and shows just 51,100 km on the odometer. It’s been lovingly maintained and remains mostly original, with its numbers-matching 4.0L V12 engine being rated for 375HP when new.
This same Countach was last sold in 2016 for €1,072,800 (~$1,239,000) and, given the current state of Countach fever gripping the world, we’d expect an even higher sum this time around. This 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 “Periscopio” will go under the hammer on November 19 in Le Castellet, France at RM Sotheby’s The Guikas Collection auction.
