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When you mention the Lamborghini Countach to any enthusiast, odds are they'll think of a later example, with massive tires, huge fender flares and that iconic wing. But the early Countachs didn't disappoint. They were simpler, lighter, and more streamlined. And according to Harry Metcalfe of Harry's Garage, these early cars might actually be the best ones to drive.
Metcalfe recently got a chance to drive a 1977 Countach LP400 painted in a lovely shade of purple while vacationing in Italy. For those unfamiliar, Metcalfe owns a later LP500 Quattrovalvole, with the flares and wing that this car is missing. He wanted to see how the two compared, so he took this early car car on a short jaunt through some twisty mountain roads. He finds that, thanks to the narrower tires, it's more nimble than his later car, and has a more free-revving engine. The steering is lighter, making the car easier to place, and the brakes work well. It's a totally different beast, yet still very much a Countach.
The biggest difference between this LP400 and Metcalfe's Quattrovalvole is the value. Since Lamborghini built so few of the early cars, they're worth nearly triple the amount of the later versions.
Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.
