Indeed, the Bulldog was a fairly unique name to be pinned on a supercar. Especially for a supercar made by Aston Martin, where usually this British manufacturer always names its production cars with more exclusive one.
The Aston Martin Bulldog experimental supercar while on the restoration process at the Classic Motor Cars workshop in Bridgnorth, England. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
Perhaps this is an exception, when the British manufacturer in the end of 1970s took part in a kind of "competition" among the world's automotive manufacturers to create a supercar capable of breaking the 200 mph speed limit.
The Aston Martin Bulldog experimental supercar featured with gull-wings doors and is built intended to pass the 200 mph speed limit back in the end of 1970s. (Picture from: IconWheels)
Well, as we know that in the 1980s the top speed of 200 mph was still hard to achieve, but that's what then made Aston Martin become interested in building a supercar capable of breaking the 200 mph speed limit through one-off supercar concept called the Aston Martin Bulldog.
The Aston Martin Bulldog while on restoration at Classic Motor Cars in Bridgnorth, England posed along with the project leader Nigel Woodward (right) and workshop Director Tim Griffin (left). (Picture from: BlackXperience)
This ruthless-name supercar born by the design of William Towns, who also did the wedge-shaped design on the Lagonda, the Bulldog is an aggressive mid-engine supercar with an angular design and gullwing-doors style. The supercar's drivetrain embedded in this project is a 5.3 liter twin-turbo V8 engine that is ready to burst power of 700 hp. That's numbers are probably a very large power output at that time.
The Aston Martin Bulldog experimental supercar cabin featured with the modern expression layout of the 1980s. (Picture from: IconWheels)
The British automaker is very confident that the engine will carry the Bulldog to exceed the 200 mph speed limit, and will use the fastest production car of its time. But, what happened next was very dissapointed, due to the Bulldog only capable reached average top speeds of 191 mph on the MIRA test track in 1979. Furthermore, the project was canceled by Aston Martin's chairman, Victor Gauntlettbefore Aston Martin Bulldog concept reached its goal due to exorbitant developing and operating costs of the car.
The Aston Martin Bulldog experimental supercar is powered by a 5.3 liter twin-turbo V8 engine that is ready to burst power of 700 hp. (Picture from: ClassicMotorCars)
Now, more than 40 years later, the British automaker announced the Aston Martin Bulldog concept is ready to make amends for its failure to fulfill its destiny. This one-of-a-kind prototype is undergoing a complete its 18-month restoration at Classic Motor Cars.
Now, more than 40 years later, the British automaker announced the Aston Martin Bulldog concept is ready to make amends for its failure to fulfill its destiny to break the 200 mph speed limit. (Picture from: EVO)
The Bulldog restoration process was supervised directly by Victor Gauntlett's son, Richard Gauntlett. The project progress is going very well and Gauntlet is confident that the one-off supercar concept will be ready to go by the end of the year before it goes on record trials.
The testing will be carried out by Aston Martin's factory test driver, named Darren Turner, who is also involved in overseeing the final preparation and testing phase of the Bulldog breaking record project.
At this time, the British automaker has not revealed yet when its Bulldog concept car would try once again its 200 mph breaking record efforts, but if all goes well, the record breaking test could be carried by the end of this year.*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ICONWHEELS | CLASSICDRIVERS | CLASSICMOTORCARS | GOODWOOD ]
After waiting for so long but not showing up, it seems that the Italian premium auto marque will not be launching an anniversary version of the Lamborghini Countach in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the legendary supercar. It's too bad. But don't worry, there's an independent design studio called ARC Design willing to be presented its digital concept car work inspired by the Marcello Gandini's original creation which is being on celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Lamborghini Countach 50 Omaggio by ARC Design as a tribute for the Marcello Gandini's Lamborghini Countach concept car is debuted at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: Carscoops)
It is named the Lamborghini Countach 50 Omaggio, the concept car was designed digitally as a tribute to the concept car that debuted at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show. It is the Countach in its purest form, when compared to the various production versions built between 1974 and 1990, and gradually deviated from the original simple lines by adding more pronounced aerodynamic components and thicker bumper.
1971
Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototipo is designed by Marcello Gandini of
Carrozzeria Bertone and debuted at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: ARC Design)
Here it seems that Arc Design wants to maintain a clean line, and the original surface while allowing it to turn into something more aggressive with the help of the active aerodynamic features. Thus, the hidden side air intakes behind the windows pop up only when needed, and the active rear wing is only deploys at a higher speeds. Even though we were not sure whether those active ducts alone are large enough for cooling the engine, but at least they look great.
Lamborghini
Countach 50 Omaggio by ARC Design is featured with the hidden side air intakes behind the windows pop up only when needed and the active rear wing is only deploys at a higher speeds. (Picture from: Carscoops)
Furthermore, they mentioned the Omaggio concept would be built on the Aventador's carbon fiber monocoque chassis with its V12 engine mid-mounted. In theory, the Countach 50 Omaggio is much greater than the source of inspiration, with significantly wider tracks and larger diameter wheels. Judging from the photorealistic renderings, the car looks wider, lower, and more planted indeed.
Lamborghini
Countach 50 Omaggio by ARC Design has modern cabin design featured with a
large-sized touch screen on the center console, mirror-replacing
digital screens on the doors, and a new center tunnel with all the
necessary buttons and switches. (Picture from: Carscoops)
As quoted of Carscoops, nowdays the supercars have become more and more complicated, so seeing simple yet beautiful forms on a hypercar is a thing to behold. At the front, there is no need for additional pop-up units as the main headlights feature laser technology. The air intakes are beautifully integrated on the front bumper while the flat bonnet has a trapezoidal shape like many Lambo cars after the Countach. The only issue is that the front overhang seems to be a tad too long from certain angles and the huge wheels demand more aggressive angles on the front fenders.
Lamborghini
Countach 50 Omaggio by ARC Design is featured with the integrated brake lights that are dissapear
when not in use, while the wide exhaust pipe is located in the
diffuser. (Picture from: Carscoops)
The most striking view of the digital concept car is clearly visible on the back. The taillights featuring very thin LED mesh, and really functioned as the airways that allow hot air came from the naturally aspirated V12 engine to go out. While the engine cover is made of heat-proof glass with integrated brake lights that are dissapear when not in use, while the wide exhaust pipe is located in the diffuser. Overall, the tail concept is justice for authentic shoes and reminds us why we really like this car.
Lamborghini
Countach 50 Omaggio by ARC Design is featured with the engine cover is
made of heat-proof glass. (Picture from: Carscoops)
In the cabin, the relationship between the two Countach concepts are clearly visible, To differentiate the Omaggio from the outgoing flagship is the addition of a large-sized touch screen on the center console, mirror-replacing digital screens on the doors, and a new center tunnel with all the necessary buttons and switches.
Lamborghini
Countach 50 Omaggio by ARC Design has the taillights
featuring very thin LED mesh, and really functioned as the airways that
allow hot air came from the naturally aspirated V12 engine to go out. (Picture from: Carscoops)
The Countach 50 Omaggio concept car most likely never be produced, although the concept looks very cool for our eyes but wouldn't be able arouse interest in the Sant'Agata-based manufacturer to make it into a production car. Just reminded, this is an independent design study from ARC Design and is not related to or endorsed by Automobili Lamborghini SpA.
If Lamborghini later wants to launch a limited production of the Aventador-based Countach it will probably prefer use the work of its own designer team. Regarding the shape, it can be cooler, gorgeous, or perhaps with an unimaginable previously design or vice versa. Then what about the Countach's revival? Will the raging bull logoed auto manufacturer realize a new version of the Countach? We look forward to further news. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ARC DESIGN | CARSCOOPS | LAMBOCARS ]
The name 'Europa' is sounds beautiful and made us will directly imagined to the figure of a beautiful woman. It turns out, in the automotive world, this name has also been used on a car model. At least two automakers have named their cars after that beautiful name. First, the Italian manufacturer Bizzarrini Spa. with the Bizzarrini 1900 GT Europa which was originally projected as the Opel GT.
Lotus Europa S1 (Type 46) is built by Lotus Cars of England from 1966 to 1968 and powered by a Renault's 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with four-speed manual transaxle. (Picture from: FavCars)
And the next car was the Lotus Europa, a unique two-seater sports car made by British manufacturer Lotus Cars in the middle of 1960s to early 1970s. The car is indeed extraordinary because even though it has a somewhat awkward style, it can appear and become popular as a junior-sized sports car that wears the Lotus badge and is powered by a tepid Renault engine.
This was made possible because its mid-engine design (between the passenger compartment and rear wheel), spectacular driving characteristics, and reasonable price made it an important revenue generator that kept Lotus afloat and helped to propel the company's professional racing team to continue to take part in the various world's major racing events.
Lotus Europa S1 (Type 46) is rather weird look, as you can see, at front it was pure sports car, but behind the seats, the design went off track as possessing the appearance look like a wacky bread van. (Picture from: AutoFun)
And the key figure behind the birth of the Europa was Colin Chapman, a visionary founder and chief engineer for Lotus Cars of England, was never one to follow convention and the wide range of sports cars he produced over the years reflected this fact.
Although most of his creations were technically superior to anything else being built, they tended to be poorly assembled and usually required frequent and expensive maintenance to keep them roadworthy. Still, Chapman enjoyed near cult status among long-suffering, but fiercely loyal Lotus owners who put up with just about any inconvenience for the driving thrills that their none-too-trusty cars delivered.
As we all knew, originally he had focused on open-top roadsters in the 1950s and '60s, but undertook a completely different direction while with the Europa, which was launched in 1966. Physically, it has an unusual shaped, defied description and baffled fans and critics alike at the time.
Lotus Europa S1 (Type 46)'s weird look to hide the French-made 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transaxle. (Picture from: AutoFun)
As you can see, between the front bumper and the doors, it was pure sports car, but behind the seats, the design went off track, prompting some to refer to the Europa's slab sides and flat rear deck that extended out behind a narrow ribbon of rear window as possessing the appearance of a wacky bread van. Besides the awkward shape, the lack of decent luggage space or even roll-down windows also created public consternation.
But Chapman never heard and considered all the gossips. The car looks that way for a reason, and that's to hide the French-made 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transaxle originally developed for the front-wheel-drive Renault 16. While on the Europa, the entire powertrain was positioned lengthwise directly behind the seats and ahead of the rear axle.
Lotus Europa S2 (Type 54) is built by Lotus Cars of England from 1969 to 1974 and
initially powered by a Renault's 1,647 cc four-cylinder naturally aspirated and then swap into a Ford's 1.6-liter twin-cam engine coupled with
five-speed manual transaxle in the 1971. (Picture from: Artebellum)
The engine is capable of spitting out about 78 horsepower to propel the 1,350 lbs weighted Europa up to the top speed that's almost the same speed as today's economy cars of 60 mph. However, it was enough to keep most buyers at the time quite amused. The unique fact that the driver's backside practically scraped the ground helped create the illusion of speed.
After all, the Europa's precise suspension and direct steering are really Europa's points of excellence. In designing the car, Chapman stuck to the tried and true one-piece backbone chassis used in previous Lotus models that helped keep Europa's center of gravity tucked into Earth. However, it turns out that the size and shape of the chassis greatly limits the cabin space, so that tall and/or wide passengers practically have no hope of being able to enter the car's claustrophobic cabin.
Lotus Europa S2 (Type 54) is built by Lotus Cars of England from 1969 to 1974 and featured with power windows and other minor comfort improvements. (Picture from: ClassicCarGarage)
The Europa's plastic shell was bonded (by glueing it) to the chassis to further keep the weight down. Unfortunately, this approach made repairing damaged body panels a burden, so were eventually substituted by the bolts.
Initially, the arrangement with Renault gave the French automaker exclusive rights to sell the original Series I Europa in Europe. However, by 1969, Chapman was able to market his mid-engined sports car marvel to the rest of the world (specifically the sports-car-hungry North American market), then he upgraded the car to Series II models is powered by a larger version of the Renault 16 engine.
Lotus Europa S2 (Type 54) is built by Lotus Cars of England from 1969 to 1974 and also featured a wonderful wooden dashboard and a glass sunroof. (Picture from: ClassicCarGarage)
The Europa S2 was available in Great Britain as an unassembled kit car (similar to the bare-bones-basic Lotus Super 7 roadster) to avoid the country's onerous purchase taxes. As a bow to convention and to satisfy the export market, the car featured power windows and other minor comfort improvements.
In 1971, the Europa underwent an engine change to a Ford-Cortina-based 1.6-liter twin-cam engine that initially produced 105 horsepower but was quickly updated to 126 horsepower as the result made the car's time from zero to 60 mph down by more than two seconds. This was able to make the weekend club racers rejoiced and the marque's purists were relieved that finally a "proper" Lotus engine and five-speed manual gearbox had found their way into the Europa's engine bay.
By the time the Europa was retired in 1974, more than 9,200 units had been produced. Although it wasn't enough to worry mainstream manufacturers, but it was certainly a success story by Lotus standards. As one of the first mass-produced mid-engined sports cars, the Europa broke new engineering ground and its low price (around $4,600) kept it within range of a wider group of buyers.
The Lotus next models that followed, even after Colin Chapman's death in 1982, were, and continue to be geared to more upscale enthusiasts. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NEWSDAY | FAVCARS | AUTOFUN | CLASSICCARGARAGE ]
Let's continue the discussion about the classic car made by the Italian manufacturer Maserati. On this occasion we will discuss a fastback grand-tourer four-seater named the Maserati Indy (Tipo AM116) which was produced by the Italian automaker from 1969 to 1975 and also known as the first model produced after the company was acquired by the French automotive company Citröen.
Maserati Indy is known as an alternative to Maserati Ghibli which offers the same four seater layout and powerd by a V8 engine. (Picture from: Motoristorici.it)
The Maserati Indy model effectively replaces the 'outdated' Maserati Sebring 2+2 designed by Giovanni Michelotti (which is the successor to the Maserati 3500 GT) and the first generation Maserati Quattroporte. It also known as an alternative to the Maserati Ghibli which offers the same four seater layout and powered by a V8 engine , but differ in style; indeed these two car models come from the same time.
Maserati Indy comes a sleek 4-seater fasback designed by Virginio Vairo and Ellio Mainardi of Carrozzeria Vignale. (Picture from: Motoristorici.it)
Two well-known coachbuilders, Carrozzeria Ghia and Vignale, presented their proposals for the Indy design at the Salone dell'Automobile in Torino in November 1968, both based on the 4.2-liter Maserati chassis. At Ghia's stand was Simùn, a berlinetta 2+2 designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro; while at the Carrozzeria Vignale stand comes a sleek 4-seat fastback, created by designers Virginio Vairo and Ellio Mainardi.
Maserati Indyi's cabin is completely covered in well-crafted geniune leather, now a hallmark of Maserati grand touring cars, and features four single seats. (Picture from: Motoristorici.it)
Both coachbuilders have good relations with Maserati, as Vignale was responsible for the Maserati 3500 GT Spyder, Mexico and Sebring, while Ghia had previously released the Ghibli. However, the Vignale prototype was preferred, and the production model was unveiled by Maserati at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1969. The car was named 'Indy' in honor of Maserati's two wins at the Indy 500.
At its launch in 1969, the Maserati Indy was offered with a Tipo 107 V8 engine with four 4.2-liter overhead cams. However, starting in 1970 a 4.7-liter Indy 4700 version was also offered with the 4200, and in 1972 Maserati added a 4900 Indy version to its lineup, equipped with a new 4.9-liter V8 engine.
Maserati Indy production version is debuted at the 1969 Geneva Motor Show and its name taken to tribute the Maserati's two wins at the Indy 500 racing event. (Picture from: Motoristorici.it)
The Maserati Indy uses a unibody construction, which the suspension layout shares with the Ghibli. At the front it is equipped with a double wishbone, with coaxial hydraulic dampers and coil springs, with an anti-roll bar. Meanwhile, at the rear there is a live axle with semi-elliptical springs, a single longitudinal torsion arm, hydraulic dampers, and an anti-roll bar.
Meanwhile inside its cabin is completely covered in well-crafted geniune leather, now a hallmark of Maserati grand touring cars, and features four single seats, just as the Lamborghini Espada had launched at the same time.
Production of the Maserati Indy ended in 1975 wit a total of 1,104 units have been produced, consisted with 440 units of the Indy 4200, 364 units of the Indy 4700, and 300 units of the Indy 4900 version. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | MOTORISTORICI.IT ]
For those of you who are fans of classic sports cars and are of course familiar with the Ferrari 250 GTO known as the legendary prancing horse logoed sports car made in limited number only 39 units ranging of 1962 to 1964 and now of course has fantastic price.
The Squallo sports coupe by GTO Engineering is a modern reincarnation of the legendary Ferrari Ferrari 250 GTO. (Picture from: GTO Engineering)
Although the limited units and the high price offered, but the charisma of the Ferrari 250 GTO is still able to pump high the interest of the world's automotive enthusiasts to have one. Opportunities like this then invite several automakers to try to reincarnate this legendary car figure under touch of contemporary design.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO specifically for the legendary British racer Sir Stirling Moss is one of the most expensive classic cars in the world and recently, this kind of car especially the 250 GT series taken as the inspiration for the making of the Squallo by GTO Engineering. (Picture from: Autoblog)
One of them is as done by Ares Design, an Italian automotive coachbuilder company had been tried to make a modern interpretation of this legendary classic car. And recently, there's a British automaker names GTO Engineering tried to do the same. The company based in Twyford, England is known as a specialist workshop for Ferrari cars that usually does service, restoration, and others.
1962
Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta is one of the 250 GT series taken as
the inspiration for the making of the Squallo by GTO Engineering. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)
As qouted of Motor1, the British supercar manufacturer has recently confirmed that although their Ferrari 250 GT reincarnation project previously under codename the 'Moderna' being in development since the end of 2020.
The Squallo sports coupe by GTO Engineering is built by using a tubular chassis combined with a high-strength lightweight aluminum sub-frame. (Picture from: GTO Engineering)
The British company has three simple criteria to present the Ferrari 250 GTO reincarnated sports car, but it requires the involvement of a mature and reliable team to understand in the fast and fast sports car designing. The first is by applying a non-turbo V12 engine that has fierce power of the grand tourer in the racing track. Second, making the mentioned car as light as possible by using the best selected materials. Third, using modern manufacturing processes and materials so that the V12 engined sports car is perfectly matched.
The GTO Engineering Managing Director and Founder, Mark Lyon said, after getting the overwhelming response, they will make it happen and document the production process openly. “For us, the engine and aesthetics are the two most important parts of any car. For that, we will start immediately,“ said Mark Lyon.
The Squallo sports coupe by GTO Engineering is provided enough space in the cabin and luggage for the driver and passengers. (Picture from: GTO Engineering)
The Brit company further said that their 250 GTO reincarnated sports car later called Squallo (an Italian for 'Shark') will be built by using a tubular chassis combined with a high-strength lightweight aluminum sub-frame, and then powered by a V12 Quad-Cam naturally aspirated engine mated to a manual transmission system.
Unlike the GTO Engineering's previous resto-mod Ferrari 250 SWB, the Squalo is not built based of any Ferrari existed cars, the company doesn't want anyone to refer its Squalo as a Ferrari due to it's an all-new car built from scratch and only taken the Ferrari 250 GTO as its design inspiration sources. Even shown off under the updated appearance, the neo-classical nuance still seems to dominate on the car.
The Squallo sports coupe by GTO Engineering is powered by a V12 Quad-Cam naturally aspirated engine mated to a manual transmission system. (Picture from: GTO Engineering)
"Many have asked the similarities between the Squalo and other 250-series cars, and the answer is very easy; there are no similarities. There are no similar components used in both of them (Squalo and 250-series), one of the main keys is the engine," said Mark Lyon.
Mark Lyon added that the company is sticking to the original goal, by working on a custom 'muletto' chassis in the GTO Engineering workshop. "We need to keep the design proportions rightly, as well as the weight distribution and ergonomics. People today have become taller since the 1960s. For that, we want to make sure that the driver and passengers have enough space in the cabin and luggage," he said further.
The Squallo sports coupe by GTO Engineeringwill be manufactured at the company's production facility in Twyford, England and the first shipment is scheduled in 2023. (Picture from: GTO Engineering)
Beside that the company also targets the Squallo's weight should be under 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs) thanks to the use of lightweight materials.
And the GTO Engineering team is now focusing on working on the outside,
and finishing the body before moving on to the next stages, as qouted of the Autoblog.
Regarding to the drivetrain that will be embedded in the Squallo, besides mentioning their 'hand-build' V12 engine capable to scream up to 10,000 rpm, the GTO Engineering also claims that's the best concoction of this decade. Because the weight of the car is not up to 1,000 kg, so the V12 engine power burst can be optimized, especially for those who like to explore by driving the car with a manual transmission.
It is confirmed that the GTO Engineering makes their V12 engine lighter than any modern engines, with the power is claimed to reach up to 460 hp, in which every part of the V12 quad-cam is very carefully designed so that the Squalo's engine to be the best ever made.
The GTO Engineering will be manufactured the Squalo at its production facility in Twyford, England. Although the price of the Squalo has not been released yet, the car already can be ordered. And scheduled, the car will arrive in the hands of its respectively owner in 2023. We'll just waiting for it.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GTO ENGINEERING | MOTOR1 | AUTOBLOG ]
Who does not know the Italian raging bull logoed premium car brand, Lamborghini. The Italian sports car manufacturer is not only known for its car products with high speed, high prices, but also for its elegant and dynamic designs. Evermore recently the manufacturer had launched the Lamborghini Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae and said to be the last Aventador breed promised the best looks and performance.
50 years ago, a wedge-shaped sports car dubbed Lamborghini Countach debuted at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show and changed car culture for good (in pictured from right to left, 1976 Countach LP400 Periscopio in Marrone Metallizzato, a red 1979
Countach LP400 S, a 1984 Countach 5000 S in Bleu Acapulco and a black
1990 Countach 25th Anniversary Edition). (Picture from: ClassicDrivers)
And for a moment we return to the past, when 50 years ago 'the raging bull cage of Italy' released one of the iconic models called the Lamborghini Countach. As qouted of Countach.ch, the Countach model is debuted at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show appeared at the stand of the Italian coachbuilder company, Carrozzeria Bertone as the party entrusted by Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. to make the appearance of the V12 engined sports car become iconic and stylish.
1971
Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototipo is designed by Marcello Gandini of
Carrozzeria Bertone, intended as the Miura successor and debutted at
the 1971 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: Motor1.id)
Maybe you're wondering why the Countach isn't displayed at the Lamborghini's booth and instead it is on display at the Bertone's place? Due to at that time Lamborghini showed off the Miura SV model in its booth. Indeed the Miura was the main model of Lamborghini at that time and the Countach was intended to be its potential successor.
1971 Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototipo is powered by a Lambo's 4,971 cc V12 engine and built on the steel-made of chassis. (Picture from: Motor1.id)
Regarding to its name, it is very far from the Italian manufacturer habit in
the naming its cars, in which usually used the names or something
related to the bulls. Look at the Countach (pronounced 'kuntasch') it
has nothing to do with the bull at all. The word is taken from the
Piedmontese (a language spoken by most people in Piedmont, northwestern
region of Italy) for an exclamation of astonishment.
The Lamborghini Countach LP400 was the initial model and began to production from 1974 to 1978 as many as 150 units. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
The car development project was initiated by Ferruccio Lamborghini (the founder of the Automobili Lamborghini S.p.a.) who hoped the car could be the successor to the Lamborghini Miura. And another important figure behind the birth of the Countach was Marcello Gandini who was the Design Director of the Italian coachbuilder company of Carrozzeria Bertone then. Well, in the hands of him as a designer, so the Lamborghini Countach was successfully had its aggressive looks like it should be under the project name of LP112.
The Lamborghini Countach LP400 was the first production car to incorporate scissor doors and powered by a 3,929 cc V12 engine. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Just look, the firmly lines are found throughout its wedge-shaped 1970s typcal body with a scissor door design that eventually became the characteristics of this 12-cylinder engined Lamborghini supercar. Indeed, cars with this design were still rare in that era, moreover, at the exhibition the Countach was introduced with a Lambo's 4,971 cc V12 engine. In addition, the dashboard is also looks futuristic at that time and also equipped with various electronic indicators such as tire pressure control. So the Countach prototype successfully caught the public's attention when it was first shown in Geneva.
The Lamborghini Countach LP400 S is began to production from 1978 to 1982 and consisting of three series with the total of 237 units ever built. (Picture from: Artebellum)
When exhibited in the expo, the Countach was still as a prototype under the name Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototipo (LP stands for 'Longitudinale Posteriore' due to the engine is mounted in a longitudinal position at the rear of the car), this is very different if compared to the Miura whose engine is transversely mounted.
The Lamborghini Countach LP500 S was the first production in the 1982 to 1985 with the total of 323 units ever built. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Eventually, the engine placement style like this has became a mecca for the next Lambo's supercar coming out of its plant in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy. But unfortunately the fate of this prototype model after the exhibition did not last long and destroyed in the 1973 when it was used in a crash test to meet the homologation requirements of the car production.
The rarest Lamborghini Countach LP500 Turbo S is built in the 1984 as many as 3 units ever made and consisted 2 unit in black while the rest painted in red. (Picture from: FastestLaps)
Three years later, the first production version of the Lamborghini Countach was exhibited at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show is known as the Lamborghini Countach LP400, the change is related to Ferrucio Lamborghini's desire that the Countach's cabin be less noisy, so the production version uses a smaller engine, namely a V12 engine with a capacity of 4,000 cc.
The Lamborghini Countach LP500 Quattrovalvole is built in the 1985 until 1988 with the total of 610 units ever made. (Picture from: Bringatrailer)
Besides that, the chassis used by the Lamborgini Countach LP400 series is made of aluminum which aims to reduce the car weight, instead steel as used in the LP500 Prototipo. As qouted of ClassicDriver, the LP400 series only produced as many as 150 units from 1974 to 1978 and although it has a number of differences with the prototype, the presence of the Lamborghini Countach LP400 has been eagerly awaited, no wonder if the Countach's orders boomed.
The Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversario is built in the 1988 until 1990 in total production as many as 657 units ever made. (Picture from: Lambocars)
After that, several series, such as the LP400 S, LP500 S, LP500 Turbo S, LP500 QV, 25th Annoversary, Evoluzione Prototype and several limited production series were made by Lamborghini then at its production facility in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy. And these models also use different engines such as the LP400, LP400S using a 4.0 L (3,929 cc) engine, then the LP500 S embedding a 4.8 L engine (4.754 cc) and the 500QV carrying a 5.2 L engine. (5,167 cc).
The one-off Lamborghini Countach Evoluzione is designed and built in 1987 under the direction of Horacio Pagani, intended to be a test-bed car for new ideas and said as the strangest looking Countach ever. (Picture from: Lambocars)
Due to the difference in the engine carried by each series of Countach, thus making the running speed also vary, ranging from 288 kph to 298 kph. And it is known during the production period of the Lamborghini Countach which lasted from 1974 to 1990, it has produced a total of 2,042 units scattered around the globe. After the Countach's production period ended, the Italian manufacturer launched the Lamborghini Diablo as its successor.
Perhaps this is an exception, when the British manufacturer in the end of 1970s took part in a kind of "competition" among the world's automotive manufacturers to create a supercar capable of breaking the 200 mph speed limit.
The Bulldog restoration process was supervised directly by Victor Gauntlett's son, Richard Gauntlett. The project progress is going very well and Gauntlet is confident that the one-off supercar concept will be ready to go by the end of the year before it goes on record trials.
