7 Minutes
Rare Lamborghini Countach LP400 S emerges from a decades‑long hiding spot
A Lamborghini Countach that looked as if it had been parked in a time capsule has returned to the spotlight after more than three decades off the radar. First shipped to the United States and later exported to Japan, this rare example — one of the early LP400 S cars finished in Blue Tahiti — survived in astonishingly original, near‑showroom condition. 13 photosPhoto: VINwiki | YouTube
John Temerian, founder of Curated, the Miami‑based dealership and restoration atelier for vintage supercars, has handled more Countachs than most collectors will ever see. Yet he still describes the emotion of being around these wedge‑shaped icons the same way he felt as a child: intensely excited. For Temerian, the Countach remains Lamborghini’s defining silhouette — the car that wrote the template for scissor‑door supercars that followed.
The long life of a legend: Countach production and evolution
Produced from 1974 to 1990, the Countach evolved dramatically across its 16‑year production run. Early models were minimalist, almost concept‑car in presentation, while later iterations embraced flares, wings, and ever more aggressive aero. From the pure LP400 "Periscopio" to the theatrical 25th Anniversary model, each phase reflects shifting performance and styling priorities.
For collectors like Temerian, however, the cleanest early cars — particularly the original LP400 Periscopios and the first LP400 S derivatives — represent the highest collectible value because of their fidelity to Marcello Gandini’s original design and their relative rarity.
The Periscopio: the purest expression of the Countach
Design and heritage
The LP400 "Periscopio" is the archetype. Built between 1974 and 1977, its roof carried a distinctive shallow tunnel that was intended to house a periscope‑style rearview mirror to offset the car’s poor rear visibility — hence the nickname. Lamborghini quickly abandoned the functional periscope, but the roof indentation remained, securing the Periscopio’s place in Countach lore.
Specification highlights
- Engine: 3.9‑liter naturally aspirated V12
- Power: approximately 370 hp (375 PS)
- Top speed: close to 180 mph (claimed in period literature)
- Wheels: early cars used 14‑inch Campagnolo "telephone dial" magnesium wheels (7.5" front, 9" rear)
- Production volume: roughly 150 LP400 Periscopio cars, making them extremely scarce
The combination of Gandini’s uncluttered geometry and the naturally aspirated V12 made the Periscopio not only visually pure but also a performance benchmark of its era.
Walter Wolf’s influence and the LP400 S transition
In the mid‑1970s, Canadian businessman and Formula 1 team owner Walter Wolf played a pivotal role in the Countach’s development. Through financial backing and technical collaboration — notably with Gianpaolo Dallara — Wolf commissioned three bespoke prototypes that emphasized wider bodywork, greater downforce, and upgraded brakes and suspension. These "Walter Wolf Specials" introduced a 5.0‑liter V12 with about 447 hp and the now‑famous 15‑inch Campagnolo "Bravo" wheels (8.5" front, 12" rear) shod with bespoke Pirelli rubber.
Those Wolf prototypes directly influenced the production LP400 S introduced in 1978, which adopted flared arches, a broader stance, and many of the aesthetic cues that would define later Countach variants.
The Blue Tahiti LP400 S: a time capsule found in Japan
Among the LP400 S cars, chassis 1016 carries a special story. One of the first 27 LP400 S models, it left Sant'Agata painted in Blue Tahiti. Originally delivered to a California entrepreneur who ordered multiple Lamborghinis at once, this car slipped into obscurity and vanished from public view by the 1990s.
In Japan, it sat quietly on the second floor of a dealership for decades, largely untouched. Six months ago, a friend of Temerian spotted the car while shopping in Japan and alerted him. After repeated offers and a detailed inspection by Countach expert Chip Davis — whose brief was to uncover any flaw that could dissuade the owner — the seller eventually relented.
When chassis 1016 arrived back in the U.S., Temerian found it nearly impossible to believe its originality: factory paint, untouched interior, and just 6,000 miles on the odometer. Temerian describes it as looking like a one‑ or two‑year‑old car, a genuine time capsule that had aged like fine wine.
Vehicle specifications and mechanical condition
This Blue Tahiti LP400 S retains the character of an early Countach with LP400‑derived chassis and engine architecture, combined with the LP400 S’s wider track and Bravo wheels. Key specification and condition notes include:
- Odometer: ~6,000 miles (very low, authentic mileage)
- Paint and interior: original factory finish and trim, excellent preservation
- Mechanical state: functionally original; plan to send to Italy for careful mechanical servicing without full restoration
- Collectibility: chassis 1016 is highly desirable due to its low production sequence, original color, and provenance
Performance, market positioning and comparisons
The early Countach models were supercar benchmarks in their day: high‑revving V12 powerplants, rear‑driven layouts, and an emphasis on dramatic form. In period performance they rivaled or surpassed contemporary exotic competitors like the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer family or the Maserati Bora in top speed and spectacle.
Today their market positioning sits at the intersection of classic supercar desirability and concours originality. Mid‑2010s transactions for pristine Periscopios and early LP400 S cars ranged from roughly $1.2 million to $2 million depending on mileage, documentation, and color. With continued interest in factory‑original examples and the Countach’s cultural status, those values have generally trended upward.
Comparatively, the Countach’s value growth and collector demand mirror that of other late 20th‑century supercars such as the Ferrari F40 and the Porsche 959 — albeit with different collector profiles. The Countach plays to enthusiasts who prize radical design, V12 character, and a strong coachbuilt aesthetic.
Restoration strategy and future plans
Temerian’s decision is clear: the Blue Tahiti Countach will receive mechanical attention to ensure safe, reliable operation, but it will not be cosmetically restored. Maintaining original paint, period‑correct trim, and an untouched cabin preserves provenance and maximizes historical value for collectors who prize authenticity over concours perfection.
Why this discovery matters to collectors and enthusiasts
Finding a low‑mileage, largely unrestored LP400 S that left Sant'Agata decades ago and returned almost unchanged is rare. Beyond the romance of discovery, the car offers an authentic window into Lamborghini’s design and engineering at a pivotal moment. For collectors, such finds validate the market’s appetite for originality and serve as benchmarks against which restored or modified cars are measured.
For anyone following classic supercars, the Blue Tahiti Countach is a reminder that automotive history sometimes reappears intact — an original artifact of 1970s supercar culture that still manages to stun in 2025.
Comments