RM Sotheby’s has auctioned a Lamborghini Countach, for which a mirror trick earned the name Periscopio. The rare wedge was auctioned for almost one million euros.
as Lamborghini showed a preview of the Miura successor 50 years ago at the Geneva Motor Show with the LP 500 prototype, the jaws of the entire automotive world may have dropped: Edges like an ax, doors like guillotines, V12 installed lengthways between the rear axle and driver. It was stuck at the very front between the front axle, windshield and engine.
Periscopio: kink in the roof
With corresponding consequences for the overview. The view goes ahead through the flat windshield. And the look back? Then Lamborghini considered the production model Countach a trick: the roof got a kind of viewing channel to the rear in the middle, which should provide an overview of the interior mirror and a small window. This is of course not a periscope, i.e. a sight tube like on a submarine. These early models got the name “Periscopio” anyway. Lamborghini built the first 157 Countach with the viewing channel, after which the roof became more conventional.
Sales price: 950,250 euros
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RM Sotheby’s auctioned the 55th Countach ever built – and thus an early Periscopio – on Friday, November 19, 2021. The sports car achieved a high price at the auction on the Paul Ricard Circuit in Le Castellet, France. The car was part of a collection of top-class automobiles brought together by the shipping legacy and classic car dealer Jean Guikas. The Countach was valued at between 750,000 and 900,000 euros and was offered at no reserve price. It was worth 905,000 euros to the highest bidder – including a buyer’s premium for the auction house 950,250 euros.
He came around: Italy, USA, France
Again from the outside: Only the first 157 Countach had the viewing channel in the middle of the roof.
Keyword: Lamborghini Countach Periscopio: roof with mirror trick