Very few brands have achieved the notoriety and legacy that Lamborghini has attained. Say the name in any casual conversation and images of high-octane performance and refined engineering immediately come to mind. While there’s been no shortage of creations from the Italian-based manufacturer that inspires both awe and admiration from adoring viewers, it’s the Countach that holds a unique place in the annals of European automotive history as a true game-changer.

Entering production in 1974, Lamborghini proved that the muscle car domination of America could be challenged by a foreign market. While engines such as the 454 big-block V8 propelled several Camaro’s across the finish line, Lamborghini did one better and unveiled a then-unheard-of V-12 engine. The engine would boast specs that were mind-blowing, with 370 ponies of horsepower and the ability to generate 270 lb.-ft of torque. When the sun finally set on the Countach after a 16-year run, the engine has been refined to peak performance. The final variation of the Countach’s V-12 boasted 449 horsepower and 370 lb.-ft of torque. High performance would never be seen the same way ever again.

This wasn’t the only defining characteristic of Lamborghini’s supercar to capture the imagination of many. The car’s distinct wedge shape would remain one of the Countach’s consistent features that would popularize the design across many of the supercar’s that came after it. While European markets had been salivating over the Countach’s since its debut, American admiration was all but guaranteed when the car appeared in the 1979 film, Cannonball Run. While the 1970s are often thought of as the decade of Burt Reynold’s iconic Pontiac Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit, it was clear that Lamborghini had crafted a vehicle to give Burt and his famous mustache a run for its money.

Throughout the duration of the 1980s the Countach became the design that many thought of when supercars or futuristic vehicles were mentioned. By the time the vehicle ended its run in 1990, it’s legacy and popularity had spanned two decades and had redefined what automotive manufacturers were capable of accomplishing. The Countach is still a highly coveted item in the auction world, with many selling for top dollar. In the three decades since it ceased production, the legacy of Lamborghini’s standard-bearer remains intact.

If you’ve ever watched Cannonball Run and thought to yourself “I really want to get behind the wheel of a Lamborghini”, you now have a chance. Lamborghini Sarasota offers an impressive inventory of high-performance sports cars that need little to no introduction. Visit our Sarasota dealership today at 5141 Clark Road.