The »#Countach LP 500« is back: In the category of the »Concorso d ?? Eleganza Villa d ?? Este« reserved for concept vehicles, this #vehicle celebrates its #comeback in a reconstruction commissioned by a well-known collector, which with a lot The “Polo Storico” by #Automobili #Lamborghini has been made with attention to detail in over 25,000 working hours. The contribution of the “Centro Stile Lamborghini” was also of decisive importance for the reconstruction of the bodywork and its stylistic authenticity.

“The Countach reinvented high-performance vehicles,” explains Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, “and has become an icon in terms of design language that still inspires the modern Lamborghini today, decades later. The participation of the reconstructed first Countach on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of this model at the ?? Concorso d ?? Eleganza Villa d ?? E ?? There is something extraordinary in the Concept category, because for the first time in so many years the legendary ?? LP 500 ?? from 1971 can be admired up close. “

In March 1971, “Automobili Lamborghini” presented its “Idea Car” at the Geneva Motor Show: the “LP 500 Countach”. The vehicle became the undisputed star of the show, and its photos, which went viral, were featured in major magazines around the world. This new model should replace the legendary Miura and write a new chapter in the history of the automobile? both through its technology and its design language. After three years of development, the »LP 500« was sacrificed in crash tests in March 1974 and then disappeared.

At the end of 2017, an important Lamborghini fan would ask the Polo Storico whether it would be possible to make a reconstruction of the “Countach LP 500”? a cult model that is only known thanks to the photos from back then.

The first few months were spent collecting the available material and analyzing it in detail. “Collecting the documents was crucial,” emphasizes Giuliano Cassataro, Head of Service and Polo Storico. “Great attention was paid to all the details of the vehicle, the overall consistency and the technical specifications.” Determine accuracy. In addition, the support of the Fondazione Pirelli in providing the historical documents stored in its archives was essential in order to reconstruct the tires of the “LP-500” original model.

The work with the platform frame was completely different from the tubular frame of the later “Countach” models. In addition to the physical redesign, the Polo Storico also had to choose a construction process to take into account the manufacturing methods of the time. The same applied to the body, which was analyzed and defined with the help of modern technologies. The sheet metal working phase has been reached. The same procedure was followed for the interior, which includes the illuminated diagnostic instruments as shown in the prototype from 1971.

As in the past, original spare parts from Lamborghini or restored components from the time were used for all mechanical components. If these are not available, they have been completely recreated.

For the historical reconstruction of the original design, the “Polo Storico” turned to the “Centro Stile Lamborghini”, where the team under the direction of Mitja Borkert, Head of Design, tackled the work on a single project. »The ?? LP 500 ?? is of outstanding importance for Lamborghini because it established the design DNA of all models, ”explains Mitja Borkert. »In order to develop the vehicle, which made its debut in Geneva in 1971, a one-to-one scale model was produced, which, like the car itself, was lost over time; but there are still several photographic evidence. This is exactly how we approached the project. Based on the publications at the time, the pictures on homologation sheets and other material collected by the Polo Storico, we were able to reconstruct the mathematical principles that were necessary for the production of the first model on a one-to-one scale. The difficulty of the greatest volume was to get the exact vehicle. Therefore we use the possibility of a 3D scan of our ?? LP 400 ?? (Chassis number 001), which was an enormous source of information. It took 2,000 man hours to get the final model, with the correct shapes, that we were satisfied with. The same procedure was followed for the interior. “

The cooperation with Pirelli, which has existed since 1963, has proven to be invaluable for the reconstruction of the tires of the »LP 500« prototype. Thanks to the images and documents stored in the archive of the Fondazione #Pirelli, the original assembled drafts of the “Cinturato CN12” tire, which was in when the “LP 500” was presented, could be used. Based on these documents, the specialists at the Milan-based manufacturer produced the “Cinturato CN12” of the “Pirelli Collezione” tire line, which is dedicated to the cult models built between 1930 and 2000 and preserves the original properties of the tires, combining a classic look with modern technologies. The Pirelli “Cinturato CN12” for the Lamborghini “Countach LP 500” are available in dimensions 245 / 60R14 for the front tires and 265 / 60R14 for the rear tires. YOU have the same tread pattern and aesthetics as in the 1970s, but with a modern rubber compound and tire design.

The archive of »PPG« proved to be decisive for the choice of colors, which made it possible, after careful analysis, to determine the exact composition for the manufacture of the yellow lacquer used with the name »Giallo Fly Speciale«.

“Lamborghini Polo Storico”

The “Lamborghini Polo Storico”, launched in 2015, has the task of preserving Automobili Lamborghini’s historical identity. Its main tasks are the restoration and certification of all Lamborghini vehicles produced up to 2001. In order to guarantee this, the “Polo Storico” oversees the maintenance of the archive and the development of new sources of information in order to contribute to the development and maintenance of the value of all classic Lamborghinis. Due to inquiries from owners of classic Lamborghini vehicles, the production of spare parts that are no longer available on the market is a special focus.