Lamborghini Countach
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By Thillainathan Pathmanathan & Anne Christina Reck
When launched at the Geneva motor show in 1971, the Lamborghini Countach was like a vision of the future, with its incredibly radical styling by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini. Through various evolutionary stages, the Countach remained in production from 1973 to 1990 and during that time 1,997 examples were manufactured, making it exceedingly rare as well as highly desirable. Subsequently the magnificent Countach has risen to almost mythical status among collectors and enthusiasts. Now, as the model approaches its 50th anniversary, two passionate and deeply knowledgeable Countach co-owners have written an authoritative new book — the first English-language study of the car for 30 years — to celebrate this fabled Italian supercar in all its glory.
- The Countach’s spectacular design and unique engineering are explored in depth, including analysis of its Bizzarrini-designed V12 engine with forward-mounted gearbox (giving ‘south-north’ orientation), intricate spaceframe chassis and aerodynamics.
- Painstaking development of the original LP500 prototype into the final LP400 production version is covered in detail, with insights into the work of key figures Paolo Stanzani, Giampaolo Dallara, Bob Wallace and Massimo Parenti.
- Production evolution is explained, from LP400 to LP400S and LP500S, then the definitive 5000 Quattrovalvole (QV) versions with four-valve cylinder heads, culminating in the ‘88½’ and ‘25th Anniversary’ models.
- For today’s owners and aspiring owners, matters of maintenance and restoration are investigated, with plenty of personal perspective.
- Speaking from the heart: Thillainathan Pathmanathan describes a 30-year journey towards Countach ownership, including visits to the Sant’Agata factory and encounters with significant people in the Countach story.
- Tonino Lamborghini, son of founder Ferrucio Lamborghini, provides a special chapter dispelling common myths, misconceptions and mistakes about the cars and the company.
- Comprehensive presentation of data includes the best available information on the thorny subject of chassis numbering and production figures.
- ISBN: 978-1-910505-63-2
- Format: 280x235mm
- Hardback
- Page extent: 336pp
- Illustration: over 400 photos, mostly colour
Based in Dorset, Thillainathan Pathmanathan and Anne Christina Reck are consultant eye surgeons with an intense passion for Lamborghinis. They own the 1988 5000 Quattrovalvole ‘88½’ featured on the front cover of their book and also a 2005 Murciélago roadster. For ‘Path’ in particular, the lure of Lamborghini goes back to childhood in Malaysia, when he saw his first example of the marque, the Marzal concept car, at a motor show in 1970. His first book, published in 2018, was about the Murciélago, and the following year he and Anne co-wrote a book about another automotive enthusiasm, the KTM X-BOW, the world’s first production sports car with a full carbon-composite monocoque.
“The co-author dreamt of owning a Countach, and he begins the book by explaining the thrill of achieving that goal, and then attempting to take it to its maximum speed on a European motorway. While that enthusiasm sets a great tone, it’s the forensic detail in which the authors examine the history and development that gets us excited… The book looks and feels like a quality product, and as the Countach reaches its 50th anniversary, this is a publication that does the car justice.”
Octane
“Author Pathmanathan is a proud long-time owner, so has a personal perspective on buying, owning and living with the wildest supercar. Having spent more than five years researching — and, crucially, talking to many people involved with the original project — he speaks with a rare authority… An epic amount of facts, figures and detail is contained with its 336 pages. Written as a refreshingly honest account of the most exciting thing to come out of Sant’Agata, this is much recommended.”
Classic & Sports Car
“This volume is well worth the price tag… the two Countach owners who’ve put this title together clearly know their stuff, and write compellingly about it.”
Auto Express
“Incredibly well researched and the ultimate guide to the definitive poster supercar… full of stunning images and technical information.”
CAR magazine
“There’s depth and heft here that reveals huge knowledge of, and passion for, the model… the standard of writing is very high and the level of technical understanding very appreciable… The Countach’s engineering side is explored in depth… this expansive tome is very much not a pot-boiler, offering plenty of new insights into the spectacular Countach.”
Auto Italia
“Co-authors Thillainathan Pathmanathan and Anne Christina Peck, both deeply in love with all things Lamborghini, have attacked this 336-page history lesson with great verve, leaving no stone, or should that be flywheel, unturned. And with a retail price of just £60 it deserves a place on any enthusiast’s bookshelf… Thoroughly recommended.”
retro-speed.co.uk
“A long-term Countach owner, Pathmanathan lamented the lack of definitive books on his car, so dedicated years to putting that right. He’s befriended everyone involved, from the Lamborghini family itself to the likes of Paolo Stanzani… The Countach story is told not only in dizzying detail but also with impressive candour…the family involvement means this is the closest you’ll get to Ferruccio himself assessing his most famous creation.”
Classic Cars
“Very impressive, filled with amazing photographs… you must have gotten the impression I like this book, but I would go even further and state that I really love it.”
lambocars.com
“This thorough and well-researched account of the Countach story is supported by quality photography and interesting period images.”
Classic Car Weekly
“For both authors… there’s no denying that this project has been a labour of love, and their passion for the subject matter is clear throughout the 336 pages. It’s an incredibly well-researched tome that arguably leaves no stone unturned in discovering everything there is to know about not only the Countach, but the story behind Lamborghini itself.”
Autosport
“To gauge the quality of the coverage realize that a long, long list of names in the Lambo world — from principals in the Countach story to modern-day restorers — have contributed insights, made material available, and kept an eye on the manuscript… Pathmanathan uses every crayon in the box to paint a very full picture.”
SpeedReaders
“Lavishly illustrated and packed with information about this incredible car.”
Practical Classics
“A thoroughly researched account… no stone has been left unturned in this expansive publication which is obviously a labour of love.”
Racing Spirit