THE KNOWLEDGE

TIMELINE

1971 Mar: LP500 concept shown at Geneva 1974 Countach LP400 periscopio onsale

1978 LP400S: flat roof, flared arches, Pirelli P7s, revised brakes/suspension, optional wing

1979 S2 LP400S: new wheels, dampers

1980 S3: raised roof, Weber 40s replace 45s

1982 LP500S: 4754cc, 45DCOES

1985 5000 quattrovalvole: 5167cc, Kevlar front/rear lids, downdraught carbs

1986 Us-spec qv: 5mph bumpers, Bosch Ke-jetronic injection, 420bhp

1988 25th Anniversary: carbonfibre air dam, bumpers, sills, intakes; three-piece wheels

1990 Countach replaced by Diablo

FACTFILE

Sold/number built 1974-’90/c2000

Construction steel spaceframe chassis with steel/aluminium/composite body panels

Engine all-alloy, dohc-per-bank 3929/4754/ 5167cc V12, six twin-choke Weber carbs or fuel injection Max power 375bhp @ 8000rpm to 449bhp @ 7000rpm Max torque 268lbft @ 5000rpm to 369lb ft @ 5200rpm

Transmission five-speed manual, RWD

Suspension independent, by adjustable wishbones, coils, telescopic dampers, antiroll bar f/r; twin spring/dampers from 1978

rear twin lower transverse links, single upper transverse link, upper/lower trailing links Steering rack and pinion Brakes 101/2 in (267mm) vented discs, with servo; 113/4in (300mm) front, 11in (282mm) rear from ’78 Length 13ft 7in (4140mm) Width 6ft 21/2 -63/4in (1890-2000mm) Height 3ft 6-7in (1070-1100mm) Wheelbase 8ft 1/2-21/2in (2450/2500mm) Weight 2646-3293lb (1200-1497kg) 0-60mph 5.6-4.2 secs

Top speed 165-190mph Mpg 10-15

Price new £69,565 (1986)

CLUB

Lamborghini Club UK

01474 812907; lamborghiniclub.co.uk

SPECIALISTS

Carrera Sport 01444 455100 Colin Clarke Engineering colinclarkeengineering.com Iain Tyrrell iaintyrrell.co.uk Grimaldi Engineering grimaldiengineering.co.uk Kidston kidston.com Classic Lamborghini Parts classiclamborghiniparts.co.uk

Eurospares eurospares.co.uk

Lamborghini Polo Storico lamborghini.com

Emblem Sportscars emblemsportscars.com

Simon Furlonger simonfurlonger.co.uk

Joe Sackey (USA) joesackeyclassics.com

WHAT TO PAY

LP400 LP400S low-body 5000 quattrovalvole LP400S S3, LP500S 25th Anniversary

Average/show £700,000/900,000+ £450,000/650,000 £400,000/600,000 £300,000/500,000 £250,000/400,000